win7 How do I convert a VHDX to VHD file?

[MariosX]

Hello.

I was using Windows 8.1 for some months and decided to go back to Windows 7.

I made a backup of Windows 8.1 with System Image Backup [backup and Restore in Windows 7] and I would like to attach that backup as virtual HD so I can pull some files, programs, settings etc.

Problem is the backup image file has been saved in VHDX format and Windows 7 do not support it for attachment.

 

I tried searching Google first but all the guides I saw were for Windows Azure / 8.1 / Server / Hyper-V / Power Shell and I found no guides or programs for Windows 7

 

[Nick H. Supervisor]

Is there a reason you don't want to use Powershell? Just looking online the command to convert the file is really simple.

EDIT: Just to clarify, you are aware that Powershell is already installed on Windows 7, right?

EDIT 2: For the record, the command would be as follows:

PS C:\> Convert-VHD ?Path c:\test\MY-VM.vhdx ?DestinationPath c:\test\MY-NEW-VM.vhd

[MariosX]

  On 28/11/2013 at 11:29, Nick H. said:

Is there a reason you don't want to use Powershell? Just looking online the command to convert the file is really simple.

EDIT: Just to clarify, you are aware that Powershell is already installed on Windows 7, right?

EDIT 2: For the record, the command would be as follows:

 

PS C:\> Convert-VHD ?Path c:\test\MY-VM.vhdx ?DestinationPath c:\test\MY-NEW-VM.vhd

Nope, I wasn't aware that Windows 7 had powershell.

 

Unfortunately the command does not work because Windows 7 Powershell is an outdated version or Windows 8.1 Powershell support more commands

 

[LimeMaster]

Download the latest version then:

http://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/download/details.aspx?id=40855

[nitins60]

Try to run the Power Shell in admin mode [safe bet]. I can see you are running without Admin privileges.

[Nick H. Supervisor]

Yep, there is now Powershell V.4, and Windows 7 comes automatically with V.2. I'd suggest upgrading. Having just checked on my work machine I agree that convert-VHD doesn't get recognised as a cmdlet, but due to security policies I cannot upgrade to V.4 to test.

[MariosX]

Updated to Powershell 4.0, still it doesn't work cause it needs some Hyper-V Modules which they are not available Windows 7.

Please other alternatives like a program for Windows 7

[Farchord]

VHDX was only available starting with Windows Server 2012 (Windows 8). Doubt you can convert it on Windows 7 without a 3rd party program

[+BudMan MVC]

Just convert it on a 2012 server or windows 8 machine to vhd, then use it. I would think someone you know has windows 8 runnig, if not just install it in VM, do the conversion that way ;)

[MariosX]

  On 28/11/2013 at 14:52, BudMan said:

Just convert it on a 2012 server or windows 8 machine to vhd, then use it. I would think someone you know has windows 8 runnig, if not just install it in VM, do the conversion that way ;)

Possible, but takes ages because some VMs tend to be slow

[+BudMan MVC]

What does that have to do with your question? You didn't state I need something to convert this vhdx to vhd and it has to do it in less than X seconds ;)

As to some VMs - ok, yes if you do not give them enough resources for what you want them to do, then sure they can be slower than if that os was running on the bare metal with full access to all of its resources. And therefore no issue of having enough resources to accomplish some task in a reasonable time, etc.

Heres the thing vhdx is new format, your not going to be able to convert this on a system that does not understand that format.. ie Windows 7 does not understand vhdx, so you need to convert it to something windows 7 does understand vhd, on a system that understands both vhdx and vhd..

This is common sense!

Lets say you have a beta tape. You have a video on the beta tape you want to watch on vhs machine. Can you copy this file to vhs if you only have vhs machines? No you need a beta machine to play the beta tape, which can then output that to a vhs machine that records it.

[Zephyros]

Okay I am having a similar problem. I want to convert a .VHDX file to .VHD.

Windows 8
-Tried on windows 8.1 with Powershell admin -> CommandNotFoundException. 
-Tried installing updates(Lime master post: Windows Management Framework 4.0) all of them gave me an error -> The update is not applicable to your computer.

 

Windows server 2008 R2
-Installed Windows server 2008 R2 on new comp. Did all Windows updates -> CommandNotFoundException.
-Tried installing updates(Lime master post: Windows Management Framework 4.0) all of them gave me an error -> The update is not applicable to your computer except the Windows6.1-KB2819745-x64-MultiPkg. Ran the only update that worked and rebooted, still -> CommandNotFoundException.

cmd i've been trying
> Convert-VHD -Path e:\VHDs\User\myVHDX.vhdx -Destination e:\VHDs\User\myVHD.vhd

I've tested permissions by a simple mkdir and it worked so its not that.

Thanks in advance for any help!
 

[zhangm Supervisor]

  On 25/02/2014 at 16:23, Zephyros said:

Okay I am having a similar problem. I want to convert a .VHDX file to .VHD.

Windows 8

-Tried on windows 8.1 with Powershell admin -> CommandNotFoundException. 

-Tried installing updates(Lime master post: Windows Management Framework 4.0) all of them gave me an error -> The update is not applicable to your computer.

 

Windows server 2008 R2

-Installed Windows server 2008 R2 on new comp. Did all Windows updates -> CommandNotFoundException.

-Tried installing updates(Lime master post: Windows Management Framework 4.0) all of them gave me an error -> The update is not applicable to your computer except the Windows6.1-KB2819745-x64-MultiPkg. Ran the only update that worked and rebooted, still -> CommandNotFoundException.

cmd i've been trying

> Convert-VHD -Path e:\VHDs\User\myVHDX.vhdx -Destination e:\VHDs\User\myVHD.vhd

I've tested permissions by a simple mkdir and it worked so its not that.

Thanks in advance for any help!

Have you enabled Hyper-V management tools in the Windows Features panel (search for it in Start)?

[Brandon H Supervisor]

you should be able to convert the file to vhd with the clonehd command in virtualbox's vboxmanage tool

 

http://www.virtualbox.org/manual/ch08.html#vboxmanage-clonevdi

[Zephyros]

@ Zhangm: It doesn't come up in start ->search. I checked Control Panel -> add Features and anything hyper-v isn't listed.
@ Brando212: Don't want to use a VM.

 

Thanks in advance for help!

[Brandon H Supervisor]

  On 25/02/2014 at 17:57, Zephyros said:

@ Zhangm: It doesn't come up in start ->search. I checked Control Panel -> add Features and anything hyper-v isn't listed.

@ Brando212: Don't want to use a VM.

 

Thanks in advance for help!

using the tool doesn't make it a vm. it just converts the file

[Zephyros]

@ Brando212: Okay, read the link you posted. I understand the cmd and params, but how do I set this up?
Found VboxTool and downloaded it. The readme.txt leads me to believe the installation needs to be on a Linux OS...not really down.
Not too sure this the right thing.

 

Thanks for the help in advance.

[Brandon H Supervisor]

  On 25/02/2014 at 18:16, Zephyros said:

@ Brando212: Okay, read the link you posted. I understand the cmd and params, but how do I set this up?

not fully sure. i'm not at home right now or I'd test it out myself

 

edit: looks like the command should be

VBoxManage clonehd --format VHD C:\...\originalfile.vhdx C:\...\newfile.vhd

[Brandon H Supervisor]

  On 25/02/2014 at 18:16, Zephyros said:

Found VboxTool and downloaded it. The readme.txt leads me to believe the installation needs to be on a Linux OS...not really down.

Not too sure this the right thing.

 

Thanks for the help in advance.

there should be a vboxmanage.exe file in the same directory as virtualbox when installed

just point your cmd to that location to use it

[+BudMan MVC]

  On 25/02/2014 at 17:57, Zephyros said:

@ Zhangm: It doesn't come up in start ->search. I checked Control Panel -> add Features and anything hyper-v isn't listed.

 

Its right in program and features - under turn windows features on and off right on the left menu

 

You will then need to make sure these are installed

 

 

Then the command is there in powershell, if you want to use virtualbox's vboxmanage - then you need to install virtualbox, not some 3rd party tool.  vboxmanage is just a cmd line tool for use in virtualbox, here is link to manual on it

 

 

http://www.virtualbox.org/manual/ch08.html

 

edit:  Another option is why do you need to convert it?  Why not just mount it on system that understand vhdx and pull your files off?  Seems more work to do a convert on the whole thing if you just need a few files off it.