Tips to open VHDX file

Can't open the VHDX file? You are not the only one. Thousands of users face similar problems every day. Below you will find tips on how to open VHDX files as well as a list of programs that support VHDX files.

VHDX file extension

File Name Windows 8 Virtual Hard Drive Format
File Developer Microsoft
File Category Disk Image Files

The VHDX file is supported on 1 operating systems. Depending on your operating system, you may need different software to handle the VHDX files. Below is a summary of the number of programs that support and open the VHDX file on each system platform.

Operating systems
  • 4
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

What is VHDX file?

The file with the extension VHDX is the Disk Image Files file type. The author of this format is Microsoft. Disk Image Files consists of 203 similar files. Windows 8 Virtual Hard Drive Format is supported by 1 operating systems. Although it can be found with greater or lesser success on any operating system, it will only be useful on Windows. The main program that supports this format is Microsoft Windows. This was created by Microsoft Corporation. There are also 3 alternative programs to handle the VHDX file. You can use Microsoft Windows Server, Microsoft Windows 8, Hyper-V in case Microsoft Windows cannot be used.

How to open VHDX file?

The most common problem when using Windows 8 Virtual Hard Drive Format is that a specific VHDX is not associated with the program. Thus, when you open VHDX, the program selection wizard or some other program starts. How to solve such a problem?

The first thing you should do is just "doubleclick" on the VHDX file icon you want to open. If the operating system has an appropriate application to support it and there is also an association between the file and the program, the file should be opened.

Step 1. Install Microsoft Windows

An often overlooked issue is to make sure that Microsoft Windows is installed on the computer. This can be achieved by typing Microsoft Windows into the operating system search engine. In the absence of an appropriate program, its installation in the vast majority of cases will fix the problem. Below you will find a list of applications that support VHDX files.

Step 2. Create association of Microsoft Windows with VHDX files

If the application is or has been freshly installed, but the VHDX file still does not use the Microsoft Windows program, it means no association. This option is available from the level of Properties of a specific file available in the context menu. The displayed window will contain information about the program that supports this type of file. Using the "Change" button we can set the program to handle this type. It may happen that in the next window there will be no appropriate program - however, this can be corrected with the "Browse" option where you should manually indicate the program location. The "always use the selected program ..." field will set the Microsoft Windows application as the default for handling the VHDX file.

Step 3. Update Microsoft Windows to the latest version

If, despite the association of the Microsoft Windows program with the Windows 8 Virtual Hard Drive Format file, the file still does not open, check the program version and possibly update it to the newest version. In this case, use the Microsoft Corporation website or update the program from the application.

Step 4. Check for the following problems with the VHDX file

The problem may also be with the file itself if the above steps don't work. File problems can be divided into the following:

The VHDX file may be unusually small compared to the original file. Usually this applies to VHDX files downloaded from the Internet in case the download did not finish properly. The file should be downloaded again, making sure that the process has finished correctly.
The most common cause here is computer viruses. A quick virus scan using an up-to-date antivirus program should clear up any doubts. Alternatively, you can use the scanners available online. However, it is important to scan the entire system, not only the file VHDX or the program directory. Sometimes virus-infected VHDX files cannot be recovered, so make a backup in advance.
Older version of VHDX file may not always be supported by the latest software version. These problems are known and are often very easy to fix using the software developers's website.
The file may be corrupted in a number of ways. Repairing is very dependent on the file type. Sometimes the program itself has options to repair the most popular VHDX file corruption. You can restore the file from a backup or use Microsoft help.
The program can also signal the fact of encryption. The encrypted VHDX files cannot be played on other computers than the one on which they were encrypted, they must be decrypted before using on another device.
Some of the system directories are excluded from modification. While there is usually no problem reading such a file, it may not be possible to save it. It is best to move VHDX to a different directory.
This problem usually affects more complex files. In this case, the VHDX file is blocked by the first application to open it. Just close unnecessary programs. Sometimes you have to wait for the session to the file VHDX to close. However, some background programs may block the VHDX file while scanning. If the problem persists, restart the machine.