How to open a .vhd file
Quick, free ways to open VHD on any system.
A .vhd file is a Virtual Hard Disk. If double-clicking does nothing, your computer simply does not have an app that reads VHD yet. Here is how to fix that on each operating system, using free software wherever possible.
Open a .vhd file step by step
- Confirm the file really is a .vhd. Drop it into the WhatFileType file identifier, which reads its signature without uploading anything.
- On Windows, open it with Hyper-V or Disk Management (mount).
- On Mac, use VirtualBox or qemu-img (convert).
- On Linux, try qemu / qemu-img or VirtualBox.
- Still stuck? Convert the .vhd to vhdx, which opens more widely.
Best apps to open .vhd files
Windows
- Hyper-V
- Disk Management (mount)
- VirtualBox
macOS
- VirtualBox
- qemu-img (convert)
Linux
- qemu / qemu-img
- VirtualBox
!
Before you open it: Safe as a container, but a VHD holds a whole operating system. Only mount or boot images from sources you trust.
Frequently asked questions
Why can't I open my .vhd file?
Almost always because no installed app understands VHD. Install one of the apps above, or convert the file to a format your existing software already reads.
How do I open a VHD file?
On Windows, right-click it or use Disk Management to mount it as a drive. Hyper-V and VirtualBox can boot it as a virtual machine.
What is the difference between VHD and VHDX?
VHDX is the newer Hyper-V format: it supports much larger disks and resists corruption from power loss. VHD is older and more widely compatible.