Virtual Drive in Windows 7. How to create a virtual hard disk and virtual CD-ROM. Creating a virtual drive

Today, no one surprises anyone that you can legally get games, music or films on your computer, without having them on disks or other drives. Users are accustomed to this, because it is convenient, it is cheaper and often does not occupy a place at home. But what to do when there is already an extensive collection of disks? You can create from them virtual disks and store them in digital video, in Windows.

What is a virtual disk

Virtual disk is a digital copy of the usual CD or DVD Disc. This copy with special programs It can be used in the same way as any other disk, but without the actual room of it in the drive. It would seem that this is not necessary, because you can just throw off required files. But, first, it will not work with games where it is often required to have a licensed disk in the drive. And secondly, to store the wheels "how they are" can be more convenient, because you can collect a digital collection, fully moved your discs to your drive.

How to create a virtual disk on windows 7

A copy of the disk can be created in different formats. Popularity is used by ISO, MDS and CDI formats, but in fact there are much more.

There are a lot of programs designed to obtain a disk image from physical media.

Wonder how to get a disk image using popular program Daemon Tools Lite:

That's so simple you can remove a digital copy from your CD or DVD disk. This copy is deleted as well as any other file, you can simply transfer it to the basket. Mandatory condition when deleting - the disk should not be used at the moment. It should be removed from the virtual drive.

Very many users personal computers on the Windows platform is often asked questions - what is virtual disks and how to create virtual disk. To increase the awareness of our readers in these issues, in this article we will try to fully disclose the topic on specific examples.

Also in our article we will look at what is virtual hard drives and where they are used. After reading the material, our readers will be able to create virtual hard drives and Image DISK in ISO format, as well as without problems to mount them on the virtual device and record on DVD.

Virtual optical drive and its applications

The main purpose of the virtual drive is mounting images optical disks. To figure out in detail why it is needed, we will consider an example where the image disk in ISO format will be mounted on the Virtual DVD-ROM. For this example, we will use the Windows 10 operating system.

A pleasant moment for computers with the Windows 10 operating system will be the fact that a virtual DVD-ROM has already been installed. Therefore, Windows 10 holders do not have to use third-party programs For mounting images.

To mount the image optical disk In the virtual DVD-ROM, we will need an image itself. For example, we will use image from the operating room linux system Ubuntu.. You can download the image of this operating system on its official website http://www.ubuntu.com. In our example, we will use the image 64-bit Ubuntu version 15.10which has a size of 1.1 GB.

After downloading the image, you can proceed to directly mounted. To do this, click on the image file right mouse button to open context menu.

Mounted "Virtual Disk" You can open and copy all its contents.

As can be seen from the example, we mounted an image from Ubuntu OS on a Virtual DVD drive. In fact, we were able to do almost what we are doing with the usual and optical disk when we insert it into a DVD-drive and open it, only in our version all the components are virtual.

Creating a Laser Disc Image

In the previous example, we looked at how to open Image Disk in a virtual DVD drive. Now we'll figure it out with the situation when you need to create an image of an optical disk. To create an image, we will need the Daemon Tools Lite program, which you want to download and install. It is also worth noting that in addition to creating various formats of images, Daemon Tools Lite. Also can mount a huge number of formats in your own Virtual DVD drive. After installing the program Daemon Tools Lite. In the conductor you can see a new drive named ""

This "" is just the drive of the program under consideration Daemon Tools Lite.. In this example, we will create the image of the original installation DVD with the Windows 10 operating system. To make from the installation DVD with a dozen image, insert it into a DVD drive. Now launch the utility and move on to the section " New image».

In the Utility window we find the button " Create an image from the disk"And press it. These actions will transfer us to the image creation window.

In this window, you can select the DVD drive from which the ISO image will be created, as well as select the location of it.

Also choose Image ISO format and confirm the creation by pressing the start button, which will start creating an image of a DVD disk from Windows 10.

After creation, we get an ISO image file with the name "j_ccsa_x86fre_en-ru_dv5.iso", which can be mounted or recorded on a regular blank and install with it new Windows.

From the example you can see how easy to write image for virtual DVD-ROM with Daemon Tools Lite.. In the same way, you can write images for all Windows licensed disks, whether XP or Vista. In addition, you can record images of games or software that are not launched without disk. In addition to the program Daemon Tools Lite. I would like to advise other popular utilities that can create and allow you to open image optical disks:

• Alcohol 120%;
• Gizmo Drive;
• WinCdemu.

Especially relevant to use these utilities on the OS, where there are no built-in virtual DVD drives, for example, in OS XP. In addition to supporting XP, each of these programs, including Daemon Tools Lite.Can write ISO images on DVD Disk. In addition to supporting ISO format, these utilities can mount other formats, including their own, they can be recorded on ordinary blanks.

Virtual hard drive

Virtual hDD It is often used by IT specialists, as it allows you to solve many tasks with backup, virtual machines and testing of various OS. Virtual hard drive is a container file that simulates the file structure hard disk .

Since such a Disk is a file, so it is usually stored on physical HDD or SSD. Starting with Windows 7, users have the opportunity to create and mount hard disk directly B. operating system .

Consider an example of creating a virtual hard disk using Windows 10 tools. To begin with, we go to the utility " Perform"Using the Win + R key combination and score in it such a command: diskmgmt.msc

This command will transfer us to the disk control panel.

To create a new Virtual HDD, you need to go to the menu " Action / Create Virtual Hard Drive"That will open the window to create such a Disk.

Starting with Windows 10, it has the opportunity to create a Disk from the format " VHDX" Unlike the "VHD" format, the format " VHDX»Can create containers having size up 64 terabyte. We will make our 32 GB virtual hard drive in a new format " VHDX", As well as put the switch to the dynamic mode of creation, in which our DISK will increase as it is filling.

After setting the parameters of our hard disk, press the OK button, which will allow you to write it to the specified folder on the screw. After creating at the output, we get a virtual hard disk named "Virtual Disk.vhdx". From the image, it is clear below that our Disk is automatically mounted, but it is still not visible in the system.

In order for the system to see our VHDX DISK, it must be initialized. You can do this with the help of clicking on the VHDX DISK right-click and select in the context menu of the point " Initialize disk».

In the window that appears, we do not change anything and press the OK button.

Now the simplest, choose the file system and letter for our disk. To do this, we turn to it and in the context menu, choose the item " Create a simple volume».

After that, the wizard will be launched in which you want to assign a disk letter and select the file system. After completing the wizard, the virtual hard disk will appear in the conductor.

From the example, it can be seen that it is very simple to create Virtual HDD tools, so we hope that you will not have a more question - how to create a virtual hard disk. I also want to note that with the VHDX discored disk you can make such operations as:

• Encrypt it using BitLocker;
• Establish an additional OS on it;
• Move and open it on another computer;
• Connect it to K. virtual Machine.

Computers based on the Windows XP operating system, which still remains quite popular, no support for VHD discs. But do not get upset, because the utility reviewed earlier Daemon Tools Lite. there is support for VHD discs and she fully compatible with Windows XP.

Using a VHD disk in a virtual machine

Create with the program VirtualBox virtual Machine based on the Windows XP operating system. At the stage creating virtual Machine for XP will be prompted to create or attach a virtual hard DISK to be used for windows installations XP on it.

At this stage, we can attach the VHD Disk, which we will create with using windows 10. Therefore, we will try to attach our VHD container for 30 GB, which we have done in the top ten. After creating virtuals, you can view the attached VHD Disk in its settings.

If there is little place in the Virtual Machine on XP, you can always attach new VHD Virtual Hard Drive. Besides, you can connect to Virtual Machine for XP containers with different file data. In the same way, you can use Virtual Machine from others software products. For example, VHD containers can be installed in vMware products Workstation.

Outcome

From the considered material it is clear that using virtual drives and hard disks It makes much better to solve many tasks, especially with their creation even the novice PC user will understand. We hope that our material will help our readers better deal with the question - how to create a virtual disk and how to use it for work.

Video on the topic

Users made early "zero", probably remember those times when movies, computer games, Programs and music were delivered to our computers only with the help of the CD / DVDs distributed at that time. About the free download of data on the Internet, torrents and YouTube still know no one knew. The situation was saved by optical drives, with which the information was transferred to the hard disk of the computer.

The rapid development of Internet technologies has questioned the need to have such a component as a "drive". In the current stationary systems and laptops, rarely meet the presence of a drive. All because of the virtual disks, which were ousted "Dwarfs" and became a common phenomenon. However, not everyone managed to have a comfortable transition to new technology. In this article we will try to correct this situation and explain in detail the essence of the creation process, the nuances of use and other questions that have repeatedly arose with everyone who does not know how to use a virtual CD ROM.

When it might take

Many may be doubtful to use the introduction of some innovation and just further use optical drive, overwriting images and information on physical media using it. However, the archaic option loses in some cases, the most common of which are:

• Lack of or malfunction of the drive. Any detail has no eternal life. Sooner or later, a problem may arise, and it's good if it happens not at the most necessary moment (that according to the "law of meanness" occurs often). In addition, the Sistemnik, who receives a disk with information from you, may simply not be an optical drive. But the virtual CD-ROM is on any modern PC (if you dedicate for some time creating it).
• Multichannel. I have rarely when computers came across, in which several drives there were immediately. Juses, often working with recording and reading disks, had to constantly rearrange CD / DVD. There are no such problems with virtual disks, which means you can simultaneously work with several.
• Ease of data transfer. To exchange information recorded on the "Dawn", you need to personally convey the carrier of the host. In the case of virtually recorded images - transmission is carried out online, on the Internet.

Creating a Virtual CD-ROM

To read virtual images (ISO; MDF, BWI, MDS and other files), you need to create a virtual CD-ROM, which, like an optical drive, reproduces (emulates) data from the drive. You can make a virtual disk using a special software, such as Daemon Tools, Virtual Drive, their principle of operation is identical, and the functionality is largely similar. For example, we took the last of the listed, since with its capabilities and tools it is very easy to cope with the user even far from such processes.

1. First, you download the Alcohol installer 120% on the link from the Yandex Disk, or on the official website of the developer. Install on your computer.
2. Run the program. First of all, we need to create a virtual CD drive. To do this, select the option in the "Settings" section. "Virtual disk".

1. In the menu that opens, manually select to-in virtual disks created. Confirm the result by pressing the OK button.

The drive has been successfully created that we can observe in the "Device" panel or in My Computer folder.

1. Now open the finished image. To do this, select the "File" tab, and in the menu that opens, click on "Open ..." (or simply use the Ctrl + O key combination).

1. We find the file-image you need, allocate its LKM and click on the "Open" button.

The image is added to the processing library.

1. Now you need to read the previously added file. To do this, select the PCM image, and in the drop-down menu select the option "Mount to the device".

Work is done. The result can be observed in the "Computer" folder, where the installer placed in the virtual drive will be among the reading devices.

After the operations carried out in the image, it is necessary to extract it from the virtual drive. To do this, using the Alcohol 120% program, in the menu of the existing drives, select our BD-ROM with the right mouse button and select the function in the list "Dismantle the image". The disk will empty again.

If you want to remove the virtual drive at all, it is necessary to repeat similar action, as when it is created:

1. In the available devices, click on DVD / CD PCM drive. In the list that appears, click "Properties".

1. Back to set the value "0", in the selection section of the Virtual Disc selection and click "OK".

Adding a virtual hard disk

The above opportunities are available to many for a decade. Popularity use virtual device The reading of information was the reason for the appearance of a similar phenomenon, called a virtual hard disk. This technology allows you to create a file (having a VHD extension), which in the conductor is displayed as a standard partition on the hard disk. The rationality of using the Virtual-drive Each decides: some thus reorganize free space on volumes, others even install the OS. You should not forget about the ability to create a secure file container, thus limiting information from the encroachment of other users.

We will create a virtual hard disk using standard tools Windows (this feature is available in windows systems 7, 8.1, 10). However, and with the help of special software you can achieve a similar result. Daemon Tools Ultra, as well as disk2vhd, is coped to the most effectively with this task. These programs have separate sections on the creation of virtual disks (both drives and drives of similar HDDs).

1. Open the "Run" service while simultaneously pressing the Win + R keys. In the empty string, enter the DiskMGMT.msc command and click "OK".

1. Service will open "Disk management". In the Control menu, activate the "Action" tab, and select "Create a Virtual Hard Disk".

1. In the window that appears, you need to specify the location created file, Select the format (VHD / VHDX), as well as determine the possibility of expanding the file.

1. The file is created, but the disc is not initialized. Press on the PKM disc, select the option "Initialize disk".

1. In the next window, you must specify a section style (we advise the GUID if you intend to limit the standard features of working with the selected space).

Connecting a disc after rebooting PC

Unfortunately, working with virtual hard disk Requires the VHD / VHDX file repeatedly after each session is completed. Fortunately create new Disc, initialize the section and create that we do not have to. To return a virtual disk to work (emulate data), you must perform the following steps:

We hope, with the help of our article you have learned how to create a virtual disk, and also identified for yourself the use of its use.

And also watch video

Under the virtual hard disk (VID), Windows 7 is a space on physical media (it is Disk, Winchester, HDD) created by the tools of the operating system (OS) for everyday user tasks. Also, this concept includes the image, or cast, file structure, the contents shot from the physical medium: flash-storage, DVD, HDD. The difference between the virtual media from the physical is that the first one can turn off at will, turning, thus, in the encrypted storage of information.

Advantages of using virtual disks on Windows 7

Answering a question why you need a virtual disk in Windows 7, talk about its application and advantages. The first advantage is to expand the data storage space. Since the virtual disk is perceived by the OS on the same level with the physical, it operates them as "suspidic" hard drive.

The second positive quality - the drive installation is often accompanied by the transfer of the operating system to it. Users marked the acceleration of the initial load procedure (BOOT), although this is not confirmed by official developer tests.

Useful feature for those users who have a lot of multimedia flexible media - the creation of an image of the image, that is, an accurate "cast" of the carrier. When working with it, it does not need an external DVD-ROM, flash drive, etc.

With frequent reinstall windows Create and store the system image with related drivers, utilities and programs. After starting the drive procedure performed in automatic mode. To create such a drive, do not need special knowledge, it is also available to an inexperienced user. Since the actuator does not differ from the rigid drive, they produce the same operations, store information, including encrypted.

How to create a virtual disk on windows 7? Using embedded tools (Tool) Windows and third-party emulators applications. In this article, consider in detail the first way.

How to create a truck with Windows 7?

The easiest way for a person, little familiar with administration depths, is to use the Diskmgmt.msc command. Open the Start menu, enter this command on the command prompt, press the input.

The "Management Manager" section opens. Here, select the "Disk Management" tab.

Click the "Action" clause, go to the option, as shown in the figure below.

A window will open, in which the user specifies the place, that is, the area on one of the logical partitions of the physical hard disk.

Important! The virtual disk is created not in some ephemeral space, but on one of the logical partitions HDD. He takes him the amount of memory that the user will determine.

Then select the storage type of information: with dynamic expansion or fixed. The second type is recommended by default and is characterized by a fixed size of a virtual drive that cannot be changed. In contrast, ENZh with a dynamic format changes volume as information filling. However, if the user deletes the data, the automatic compression of the released space will not happen.

When you select a fixed format, specify the size in MB, GB or TB in the dialog box without leaving this menu. Click "Next".

If done correctly, a virtual drive will be created with the letter assigned. But while he is in a state of "uncertain." To start, you need the initialization procedure.

Starting initialization

Right-click on the letter, open the context menu. First tab from above - "initialize disk". Press.

The following window opens, where you should not change anything. We check that the mark stood on the "Main boot record" line, then click OK.

Creating sectors

Click anywhere in the field of the created drive. Go to the top tab "Create a simple Tom". This type of section (volume) is suitable for most users.

The creation wizard is launched. In the next window, it is proposed to specify the volume container. The range of numbers is given: from the maximum capacity of PSID to the minimum. After specifying the size of the volume by clicking on the "Next" button. The window will appear assigning the letter of the alphabet of a new drive. Here simply: choose the letter from the drop-down menu, click "Next".

File System Selection (FAT)

Among the two options for selecting NTFS suits modern drives and a 64-bit operating system. FAT 32, which can be seen from the name, applied on HDD small capacity and 32-bit Windows 7. Cluster size is left by default. Immediately indicate Tom Tag (optional).

Then go to formatting volume. By default, it is assumed fast formatting. Then click "Next." The procedure takes a fraction of a second, and then the final window of the wizard appears. We click "Finish" to end its work.

Now the virtual disk took a right place in the menu such as my computer, conductor. When you press the right mouse button, the ELZ field opens a menu where operations are listed, for example, the volume can be made bootable (active), change the letter of the notation, etc.

Removal of WPZH

The deletion procedure is useful when you need to clean the computer. Consider step-by-step instructions. We recommend a reliable way to remove a virtual disk from Windows. Steps are the same as they were when creating. Our task is to get to the virtual disk menu.

1. Open the "Start" menu, "Computer" and the right mouse button, choose "Control".
2. Go down, you need the penultimate tab.
3. Click on the drive field, in the dropping menu, select "Delete TOM". We read the warning inscription and click "Yes." The selected volume is deleted.

Note! A method for removing VZH via CMD by entering the subst [x]: / d command, where X-bug of the virtual partition to be deleted cannot be recommended to normal users. Windows 7 "swears" to such an operation, often blocks it. Therefore, you need to go to the registry, look for a line with a record of a virtual disk and manually delete. But it can only make an experienced user who clearly controls the actions. Wrong action B. system Registry Can lead to the collapse of the OS!

Virtual Optical Drive, Application Areas, third-party programs

Here is Dana general characteristics. Programs used to create a virtual disk are called emulators for the ability to display virtual copies of the media. These programs (Alcohol, Daemon, 120, Ultraiso, etc.) launch virtual optical drives, the scope of application is identical to the virtual created in the OS environment. The difference is that the existence of a virtual optical actuator is possible only during a session with an emulator. That is, while the emulator program is not running on the computer, the virtual disk will not be activated. When the emulator is disconnected, the created virtual drive disappears.

Emulators are popular for the ability to operate with an unlimited number of virtual drives. This feature is used to emulate images, games, applications, and, of course, a virtual or rigid carrier. As processed files use archives with the extension * .iso and others.

conclusions

We examined in detail step-by-step processHow to create a virtual hard disk in Windows 7. The built-in seven tools allow you to create virtual disks with which the same operations are performed as with conventional rigid. In the case of unrequisite, ENZh is easily removed from the OS. Emulators perform the same functions, that is, they operate with virtual drives in Windows Wednesday.

However, the specifics of their work are that the created images exist only when the program is involved. When the emulator is disconnected, the virtual optical drive disappears. Because of this it is hardly permissible to use as storage of information, as in the case of a virtual drive under windows control 7. Therefore, emulators are used, as a rule, to activate the finished casts from the carrier, suitable for one session with them.

In Windows 7, any user can easily create a virtual disk without using third-party software. At the same time, its structure is no different from the physical carrier, as well as the principle of operation. Since all information will be stored in one file, you can avoid confusion. In addition, it quickly connects to the virtual machine that programmers and system administrators will be able to evaluate.

Instructions for the creation

It is possible to achieve the goal in the "seven" in two ways. One of them is somewhat more complicated, since it involves the use command line. However, it gives the user a few more features.

Through drives

You must first go to the main menu of the "Start" Operations and in the search bar enter the word "control". After the operation is completed a window appears in which you need to click By "Computer Management". Opening the "Storage Device" drop-down menu, the "Disk Management" option is selected. In the central part of the window, all logic discs will be displayed on which the hard drive is broken.

To create a virtual disk on Windows 7, go to the "Action" tab, located on the top panel. After that, in the outstanding menu, select the appropriate item. A new window will appear in which it is necessary configure the parameters of the future disk - The user must specify the location of the file, size and name. When performing these actions, two simple rules must be observed:

• The name of Windows should not be used.
• The virtual disk cannot be in the folder with the installed OS.

When choosing a format, it is necessary to prefer "fixed", which will allow the section to immediately occupy all the free space allotted to him and thus reduce the load on the system. If you use a dynamic disk, then its size will gradually increase when new information. As a result, when filling out the physical partition, problems may arise with computer speed.

When all necessary settings will be completed, it remains to click OK. For creating windows disk It will take some time. When it appears in the central part of the window, you need to make the right click and select "initialize". To be preserved again make several settingsAnd the first will be the choice of the type of the main boot area. If its size is less than 2 TB, then the MBR preference can be preferred. If desired, the user can quickly convert it to GPT while there is no data on the disk.

After initialization, the new disk will not have a distributed area, and this situation needs to be corrected. By right-clicking, select "Create a simple Tom" item. As a result, the volume creation wizard will be launched, and the user must set several parameters again:

After completing all operations, click on "ready", and the disk can be used. If the virtual disk is no longer needed, it is easy to remove it - it is enough to make the right click and select the appropriate item. Noting Chekbox " Delete virtual disk"It will not be simply disabled, but also deleted with all the information contained. Similarly, you can delete a virtual disk in Windows 10.

Utility diskpart

It not only allows you to create a hard drive, but also offers slightly more opportunities in comparison with the first method. First, the utility needs to be found through the "Start" menu, speaking in the DiskPart search string. On the line with the found utility you need to make the right click and run it on behalf of the admin.

To create a virtual section 1. VHD fixed size (2000 MB) in the root of the logical D partition, you must enter the following command - Create VDisk File \u003d D: \\ 1.VHD Type \u003d Fixed Maximum \u003d 2000. After that you need to press ENTER. To select the created disk A command must be entered - select VDisk File \u003d D: \\ 1. VHD. Then a few more commands are prescribed:

• ATTACH VDISK - joining the virtual section.
• List DISK - View the results of previous operations.
• CREATE PARTITION PRIMARY - Created the main section.

After that, Windows will offer format disk. This can be made from the command line or use the appropriate master of the OS. On this, the process of creating a virtual disk in Windows 7 is completed and they can begin to use, for example, install the second OS from the flash drive.

Creating a virtual drive

Often there is a need to create a virtual drive. Today, many users exchange on the Internet images of ISO.. To use the information contained in them, it is convenient to make a virtual drive. There are a large number of programs to solve this task.

Gizmo Drive.

A good program for creating a virtual disk that supports not only ISO, but also other popular formats. You can easily set the image to the created drive, and its contents will be displayed in Windows Explorer or other file manager. The application can also create images and record them on optical or flash drives.

It should be noted that the program has its own file Manager. The utility has become popular thanks simple interface. Developers offer PC users to create images in GDRIVE format. With his help you can imitate the work of the physical hard drive With the ability to compress and encryption. While working with virtual DVD drives used system Memorywhich significantly increases the data transfer rate.

Daemon Tools Lite.

The program has been very popular among PC users for many years and is one of the leaders in its class. With her help you can create a maximum of four drives. It should be noted that many competitors in this regard offer more opportunities. Daemon Tools is designed for ordinary users who should have been enough and proposed by the developer of the number of disks.

Particular attention should be paid to the application interface that is as simplified as much as possible. With it, you can quickly open the desired image and mounted it. In some similar programs virtual drive after rebooting may disappear. This problem in Daemon Tool is not observed. If the user is not enough functional free utilityYou can buy a paid one. The only disadvantage of the program can be considered recent versions advertising.

Programs for emulating optical drives are much more, for example, the same Ultraiso. However, it is paid, and it is definitely a serious drawback.