Install Windows 10 Tech Preview in a Bootable VHD

In the following examples, I will show you how to install Windows 10 Technical Preview in a Virtual Hard Disk (VHD, VHDX) on a unformatted hard disk and how to install Windows 10 Technical Preview in a VHD with Windows 8.1 as a dual boot.

Method 1 – Installing Windows 10 TP in a Bootable VHD Using a Unformatted Hard Drive

I am assuming there is only 1 Hard Drive in your system for this example. If you have more than one hard drive then drive numbers may be different than my example. In this example, I am using an Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI).

1. Boot your computer using your Bootable Media (DVD or USB media).
2. At the Install screen, press SHIFT+F10 to access the Command Window.

   

3. Type diskpart.

   

    

4. Type list disk.

   

    

5. Select the disk you want to use, type select disk 0 where 0 is the disk number.

   CAUTION

   Selecting the wrong disk will cause data to be lost.

    

   

6. Type clean.

   CAUTION

   This will remove all partitions on the selected disk causing data lost.

    

   

7. Type convert gpt.

   

8. Type create partition primary offset=420479
   or
   create partition primary size=60000 offset=420479.

   NOTE

   Where 60000 represents 60GB. You can enter your preferred partition size here to hold the VHD file.

   

9. Type format fs=NTFS quick.

   

    

10. Type assign letter=W.

    

     

11. Type exit.

    

     

12. Type mkdir w:\vdisk.

    

     

13. Type diskpart.

    

     

14. Type create vdisk file=”w:\vdisk\windows10.vhdx” maximum=80000 type=expandable.

    NOTE

    Where 80000 represents 80GB. You can enter your preferred partition size here to hold Windows as long as it does not exceed the partition size you created earlier.

    

15. Type attach vdisk.

    

     

16. Type exit.

    

     

17. Close the Command Window.
18. Click Install Now.
19. Select Custom: Install Windows only.

    

     

20. Select Drive 1.

    NOTE

    Drive 1 is the Virtual Hard Disk.

    

21. Click Next to install Windows and confirm the new partitions.

    

     

22. Windows is now installing the operating system.

    

Method 2 – Installing Windows 10 TP in a Bootable VHD with Windows 8.1 (Dual Boot)

I am assuming there is only 1 Hard Drive in your system for this example. If you have more than one hard drive then drive numbers may be different than my example. In this example, I am using an Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) based computer.

1. While running Windows 8.1, right click the Windows Logo to select Computer Management.
   

   

2. Select Disk Management with the Computer Management snap-in.
    

   

    

3. In the Actions Menu, click More Actions to select Create VHD.
    

   

    

4. Enter the location for the newly created VHD, the size of the virtual hard disk, the type of the VHD, and dynamically expanding.
   

   

    

5. Exit Computer Management.
6. Insert your Windows 10 Bootable Media (DVD or USB media) and do not run the Setup.
7. Open the Settings Charm, refer to "Opening the Settings Charm – Windows 8.1", to select Change PC Settings.
   

   

8. Select Update and Recovery in PC Settings.
   

   

    

9. Select Recovery in the Update and Recovery section.
   

   

    

10. Select Restart Now under the Advanced startup in the Recovery section.
    

    

     

11. Select Use a device in the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE).

    

     

12. Select your Windows 10 Bootable Media to boot from the media.
13. At the Install screen, press SHIFT+F10 to access the Command Window.
    

    

14. Type diskpart.
    

    

     

15. Type list volume to find the drive letter where Windows 8.1 is installed since I created the VHD in the Windows 8.1 partition.

    NOTE

    In my example,  the Windows 8.1 partition is Volume 1 which is Drive C.

    

16. Type select vdisk file="c:\vdisks\windows10.vhdx".

    NOTE

    Your file path may be different depending on the your VHD location and name.

    

17. Type attach vdisk.
    

    

     

18. Type exit.
    

    

     

19. Close the Command Window.
20. Click Install Now.
21. Select Custom: Install Windows only.
    

    

     

22. Select Drive 1.

    NOTE

    Drive 1 is the Virtual Hard Disk.

    

23. Windows is now installing the operating system.
    

    

Platforms Tested

• Microsoft Windows 8.1
• Microsoft Windows 10

Related Articles

• Opening the Settings Charm – Windows 8.1

Version 1.1
Edited: Oct 7, 2014