Convert VHD to VHDX using Hyper-V Manager and Powershell

Windows 8 Client Hyper-V and Windows Server 2012 Hyper-V onwards VHDX is the new and default format of the virtual hard disk (VDH). Till Hyper-V 2008, everyone was using VHD format and it has many limitations and once the VHDX was available it had many enhancements and everyone started upgrading to the next server version converting their VHD to VHDX.

In this article, we will look at the step by step procedure to convert VHD to VHDX.

Advantages of VHDX

First, let’s look at some of the advantages of VHDX:

• Scalable up to 64 TB
• 4 KB block size and better performance
• Protection against data corruption during power outages
• VHDX file can be resized online
• Better snapshot handling

Methods to Convert a VHD to VHDX

There are two methods you can use to convert a VHD into a VHDX file:

• Using Hyper-V Manager
• Using PowerShell

Points to be noted before conversion

• VHDX files cannot be used on versions of Hyper-V prior to Windows 8 or 2012
• For upgrade scenario, first, upgrade Hyper-V to VHDX supported version then convert VHD
• Conversion is performed offline
• Do not attempt to convert a VHD to a VHDX if any of the following are true:
  • You have created a snapshot of the virtual machine
  • You are replicating the VHD using Hyper-V Replica
  • The VHD is the parent to one or more differential virtual hard disks