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

Determine if Windows 8.1 is 64-bit (x64) or 32-bit (x86)

Most, if not all, computers sold at Big Box stores have Windows 8.1 64-bit preinstalled. But to make sure you are running Windows 8.1 64-bit or 32-bit then follow these steps.

Determining if Windows 8.1 is 64-bit or 32-bit

1. Open the Settings Charm. Refer to “Opening the Settings Charms – Windows 8.1”.
2. Tap or Click Change PC Settings.

   

3. Select PC and Device.

   

4. Select PC Info.

   

5. Look at System Type. This will tell you if you are running Windows 8.1 64-bit or Windows 8.1 32-bit.

    

Related Articles

• Opening the Settings Charms – Windows 8.1

Opening the Settings Charm – Windows 8.1

The Settings Charm in Windows 8.1 contains Control Panel,  Personalization settings, PC Information, Help, Internet access, Volume controls, Brightness, Notifications, Power Options,  Keyboard, and PC Settings.

To Open the Settings Charm

Keyboard Users

1. Move the mouse to the lower right corner of the screen to open the Charms.

   Keyboard Tip

   Pressing Winkey+C on your keyboard will open the Charms.

2. Click on Settings.

   

Touch Users

1. Swipe from the right side of the screen to open the Charms.
2. Tap Settings.

    

Opening Windows 7 Task Scheduler

Windows 7 Task Scheduler is a very powerful tool that lets users create repetitive tasks. Standard Users can create tasks that affects their user account and files. Creating and/or modifying system tasks will require administrative privileges.

Some simple tasks an user can create and perform are:

• disk cleanup tasks
• simple popup reminders
• opening programs at specific times

Open an Elevated Task Scheduler

1. Click on the Start Orb button to open the Start Menu. Refer to Image below.

   

2. Type the following in the Search programs and files box. Refer to Image below.

   Task Scheduler

   

3. Right-click Task Scheduler in the Start Menu results to select Run as administrator to open Windows 7 Task Scheduler with elevation. Refer to Image below.

   

4. Provide credentials if prompted.

Open Task Scheduler without Elevation

1. Click on the Start Orb button to open the Start Menu. Refer to Image below.

   

2. Type the following in the Search programs and files box. Refer to Image below.

   Task Schedule

   

3. Click Task Scheduler in the Start Menu results to open Windows 7 Task Scheduler without elevation. Refer to Image below.

   

Platforms Tested

• Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate Edition

Related Articles

• Enabling Windows 7 Task Scheduler History

Version 1.3
Edited: April 11, 2014

Enabling Windows 7 Task Scheduler History

Windows 7 Task Scheduler history is disabled by default out-of-the-box and you may want to enable the history feature.

Enabling History for Task Scheduler

1. Open an elevated Task Scheduler, refer to “Opening Windows 7 Task Scheduler” blog post.
2. In the Actions pane, click Enable All Tasks History.

   

Platforms Tested

• Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate Edition

Related Articles

• Opening Windows 7 Task Scheduler

Version 1.3
Edited: April 12, 2014