.VHD File Recovery

Have files been deleted due to a user’s error or software error? Have you formatted a disk by accident and need to know how to recover the files? Read our .VHD file recovery guide for Windows, MacOS, Android and IOS in 2024.

VHD File Recovery

What is a .VHD file?

A VHD file contains a virtual hard disk image used by Microsoft Windows Virtual PC, a Windows virtualization program. It stores the contents of a hard disk of a virtual machine (VM), which may include disk partitions, a file system, files, and folders. VHD files may be used to install multiple operating systems on a single computer, test software programs, or run older applications.

What Are Common Causes of ".VHD" Files Lost or Failure?

There are several common causes of ".VHD" (Virtual Hard Disk) files lost or failure:

  1. Accidental deletion: Users may accidentally delete the ".VHD" file while managing or organizing their files.
  2. Virus or malware attack: A virus or malware infection can corrupt or delete the ".VHD" file, making it inaccessible.
  3. File system corruption: Issues with the file system, such as corruption or errors, can lead to the loss or failure of ".VHD" files.
  4. Power failure: Sudden power outages or improper shutdowns can result in data loss or corruption of ".VHD" files.
  5. Hardware failure: Malfunctioning or failing hardware components, such as hard drives or storage devices, can cause ".VHD" files to become lost or inaccessible.
  6. Software or system errors: Errors in virtualization software or operating system can lead to the loss or failure of ".VHD" files.
  7. Human error: Mistakes made by users, such as accidental formatting or partitioning of the storage device, can result in the loss of ".VHD" files.
  8. Unsupported operations: Performing unsupported operations or modifications on ".VHD" files, such as resizing or converting, can lead to data loss or corruption.
  9. Disk fragmentation: Fragmentation of the storage device where the ".VHD" file is located can increase the risk of file corruption or failure.
  10. File system conversion: Converting the file system of the storage device without proper backup can result in the loss of ".VHD" files.

It is important to regularly backup ".VHD" files and implement appropriate security measures to mitigate the risk of data loss or failure.

How to recover lost ".VHD" files?

Sometimes while working with a computer, laptop or other stationary or mobile devices, you may encounter various bugs, freezes, hardware or software failures, even in spite of regular updates and junk cleaning. As a result, an important ".VHD" file may be deleted.

Go to view
🧺 How to Recover Files and Folders After Sending Them to the Recycle Bin and Deleting? (Windows 11)

🧺 How to Recover Files and Folders After Sending Them to the Recycle Bin and Deleting? (Windows 11)

By no means should you think that the only way to recover a ".VHD" file is always to create it once more.

Use programs for recovering ".VHD" files if a file was lost after accidental or deliberate deleting, formatting the memory card or the internal storage, cleaning the storage device, after a virus attack or a system failure.

Programs to recover ".VHD" files

Looking for a way to get files back? In cases when files were deleted and they cannot be restored by using standard operating system tools, use Hetman Partition Recovery.

The tool recovers data from any devices, regardless of the cause of data loss.

Follow the directions below:

  1. Download Hetman Partition Recovery, install and start the program.

  2. The program will automatically scan the computer and display all hard disks and removable drives connected to it, as well as physical and local disks.

    File Recovery Software
  3. Double-click on the disk from which you need to recover ".VHD" files, and select analysis type.

    Hetman Partition Recovery - Analysis Type
  4. When the scanning is over, you will be shown the files for recovery.

    Hetman Partition Recovery - Files that Can be Restored
  5. To find a file you need, use the program’s interface to open the folder it was deleted from, or go to the folder "Content-Aware Analysis" and select the required file type.

    Hetman Partition Recovery - Deep Scan
  6. Select the files you have been looking for and click "Recovery".

    File Recovery Software - Files List for Recovery
  7. Choose one of the methods for saving the files and recover them.

    Saving recovered files in Hetman Partition Recovery

How to open file with ".VHD" extension?

Looking for how to open a stereo virtual PC Virtual Hard Disk image file file?

Programs that open ".VHD" files

Windows
File Viewer Plus File Viewer Plus
Microsoft Windows Virtual PC Microsoft Windows Virtual PC
Microsoft Virtual Server Microsoft Virtual Server
Oracle VM VirtualBox Oracle VM VirtualBox
VMware Workstation 15 Pro VMware Workstation 15 Pro
Smart Projects IsoBuster Smart Projects IsoBuster
7-Zip 7-Zip
Aryson VHD Recovery Aryson VHD Recovery
Mac
Oracle VM VirtualBox Oracle VM VirtualBox
VMware Fusion 11 VMware Fusion 11
Linux
Oracle VM VirtualBox Oracle VM VirtualBox
VMware Workstation 15 Pro VMware Workstation 15 Pro

Additional Information

  • File type: Virtual PC Virtual Hard Disk

  • File extension: .VHD

  • Developer: Microsoft

  • Category: Disk Image Files

  • Format: Binary

  • Mime-type: application/x-vhd

  • HEX: 63 6F 6E 65 63 74 69 78

  • ASCII: conectix

  • File types that use the extension .VHD:

    • Virtual PC Virtual Hard Disk

    • VHDL Source File

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Comments (1)

  • Hetman Software: Data Recovery
    Hetman Software: Data Recovery 18.12.2019 12:29 #
    Leave a comment if you have any questions about Recovering lost .VHD files after deleting, cleaning or formatting!
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Vladimir Artiukh

Author: Vladimir Artiukh, Technical Writer

Vladimir Artiukh is a technical writer for Hetman Software, as well as the voice and face of their English-speaking YouTube channel, Hetman Software: Data Recovery for Windows. He handles tutorials, how-tos, and detailed reviews on how the company’s tools work with all kinds of data storage devices.

Oleg Afonin

Editor: Oleg Afonin, Technical Writer

Oleg Afonin is an expert in mobile forensics, data recovery and computer systems. He often attends large data security conferences, and writes several blogs for such resources as xaker.ru, Elcomsoft and Habr. In addition to his online activities, Oleg’s articles are also published in professional magazines. Also, Oleg Afonin is the co-author of a well-known book, Mobile Forensics - Advanced Investigative Strategies.

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Questions and answers

  • What is VHD recovery and how does it work?

    VHD (Virtual Hard Disk) recovery refers to the process of recovering data from a corrupted or damaged VHD file. A VHD file is a virtual hard disk file used by virtualization software to store the virtual machine's operating system, applications, and data.

    VHD recovery works by using specialized software or tools to scan the damaged VHD file and extract the data stored within it. The process typically involves the following steps:

    1. Scanning: The VHD recovery software scans the corrupted VHD file to identify the extent of the damage and locate the data blocks that can be recovered.
    2. Repairing: The software attempts to repair any logical or structural errors within the VHD file. It may reconstruct the file system or repair the partition table to make the data accessible.
    3. Extracting: Once the VHD file is repaired, the software extracts the data from the file and saves it to a new location. This can include recovering files, folders, partitions, or the entire virtual machine.
    4. Verification: The recovered data is verified to ensure its integrity and completeness. The software may perform checksum validation or compare the recovered data with the original VHD file to ensure accuracy.

    It is important to note that VHD recovery success depends on the extent of the damage to the VHD file. In some cases, if the VHD file is severely corrupted or damaged, it may not be possible to recover all the data. Therefore, it is recommended to regularly backup VHD files to avoid data loss and use reliable virtualization software to minimize the risk of VHD file corruption.

  • What are some common scenarios where VHD recovery is needed?

    Some common scenarios where VHD recovery may be needed include:

    1. Accidental deletion: If a virtual hard disk (VHD) file is accidentally deleted, it may be necessary to recover it to restore the virtual machine or the data stored within it.
    2. File system corruption: File system corruption within the VHD can lead to inaccessibility of data or the entire virtual machine. Recovery may be required to repair the file system and retrieve the data.
    3. Operating system failure: If the operating system within the virtual machine fails to boot or becomes corrupted, VHD recovery may be necessary to restore the virtual machine to a working state.
    4. Disk errors: Hardware or software issues can cause disk errors within the VHD, resulting in data loss or inaccessibility. Recovery may be required to recover the lost data or repair the disk errors.
    5. Virus or malware attack: If a virtual machine is infected with a virus or malware, it can lead to data corruption or loss. Recovery may be needed to restore the virtual machine to a clean state and recover any lost data.
    6. Physical storage failure: If the physical storage device hosting the VHD encounters a failure, such as a hard drive crash or RAID failure, recovery may be necessary to retrieve the VHD file and restore the virtual machine.
    7. Accidental formatting or partition deletion: If a VHD is accidentally formatted or a partition within it is deleted, recovery may be required to recover the lost data or restore the VHD to its previous state.

    It is important to note that VHD recovery should be performed using appropriate tools and techniques to minimize the risk of further data loss or damage.

  • What are some popular tools or software available for VHD recovery?

    There are several popular tools and software available for VHD (Virtual Hard Disk) recovery. Some of them are:

    1. SysInfoTools VHD Recovery: It is a powerful tool that can recover data from corrupt or damaged VHD files. It supports both fixed and dynamic VHD types and can recover all types of files from the VHD.
    2. Kernel for VHD Recovery: It is a comprehensive tool that can recover data from corrupted, damaged, or inaccessible VHD files. It supports both fixed and dynamic VHD types and provides an easy-to-use interface.
    3. Hetman Partition Recovery: It is a versatile tool that can recover data from VHD files as well as from other storage media. It supports various file systems and can recover files of different types.
    4. DiskGenius: It is a powerful data recovery tool that can recover data from VHD files. It supports both fixed and dynamic VHD types and provides advanced features like partition recovery, disk cloning, etc.
    5. StarWind V2V Converter: It is a free tool that can convert VHD files into different formats and recover data from them. It supports both fixed and dynamic VHD types and provides an easy-to-use interface.

    These are just a few examples of popular tools and software available for VHD recovery. It is always recommended to choose a tool that suits your specific requirements and offers the necessary features for successful recovery.

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