Disk2vhd for Windows

From physical to virtual

Disk2vhd is a Windows utility that converts active physical volumes into virtual disk files compatible with Microsoft virtualization platforms. Running on modern client and server releases, it executes conversions without requiring offline media. It supports VHD and VHDX formats, leveraging the Volume Snapshot Service to capture consistent filesystem states. This ensures reliable imaging while the host system remains fully operational.

Disk2vhd processes selected partitions, preserves disk signatures, and records boot configuration data when present. Execution occurs within the host system context, and generated disk images can be written to internal, removable, or network-mapped storage targets depending on available write paths.

Hardware made portable

Disk2vhd interface displays volumes via a volume selection panel that enumerates drive letters, labels, file system types, and size metrics retrieved from system APIs. Selection flags determine which partitions are added to the imaging queue. A path field defines the destination container location, while an identifier option embeds disk signature information. The module reads sectors sequentially and translates layout structures into disk geometry descriptors. This process maintains alignment boundaries.

The tool relies on a shadow copy mechanism to capture live data while write operations continue on the source volumes. The service coordinates I/O freezing, flushes cached transactions, and exposes a snapshot device path. The imaging engine reads from this snapshot rather than the active filesystem, preventing structural inconsistencies. Snapshot creation depends on VSS writers present on the system and fails if any report an unstable state.

The program also includes a disk mapping module that preserves partition tables, volume GUIDs, and boot records. It supports simultaneous conversion of multiple disks into independent container files. While throughput reflects underlying storage performance, the tool lacks incremental imaging. The portable executable accepts command-line parameters for scripted tasks, while internal logs record sector statistics to ensure a complete, point-in-time capture.

Turn active volumes into files

Disk2vhd runs within Windows environments and generates virtual disk images from active volumes using system snapshot infrastructure. It supports contemporary virtualization formats and maintains structural disk metadata during conversion. Operation depends on VSS components and available storage bandwidth. The portable binary lacks incremental imaging, scheduling, or automation beyond command-line invocation. It omits encryption and differential output modes by design. This ensures a lightweight tool focused on direct physical-to-virtual conversions.