Uninstall Windows 8 by removing VHD and get back Windows 7 Boot [Guide]

Out of curiosity, many of you have installed Windows 8 Bootable VHD. If you are already played enough around and claim back the space taken up by the installation and continue work with Windows 7 normally then, here is a guide to uninstall Windows 8 by removing VHD.

So lets just focus on the topic as to How to remove Windows 8 installed VHD file without affecting your System or HDD. It’s a tried and tested procedure so let’s go step by step and follow the article below to uninstall Windows 8 VHD.

1. Change Default OS to Windows 7

As you can see above, the screenshots are showing the Boot Menu of Windows 8. Here you have to change the default OS as windows 7 instead of Windows 8 Developer Preview. Either way, even if you are keeping your Windows 8 though I will recommend you to keep Windows 7 Boot loader, as its faster.

By this process your system will now be reading the boot menu of windows 7. Here we are almost done. Start Windows 7 and then restart your System. You must have to do this or it will not save the Boot Menu settings that you just changed. Now check which boot menu does your system load. It should load Windows 7 classic Boot Loader.

Windows 7 Boot Menu looks like this

If you are getting this Boot Menu then you are free to do the next step which is very easy, that is to Delete the VHD file in you HDD

After Deleting the VHD file your space is recovered now. You can check it in Disk-Management, there will not be any Unallocated Partition.

Removing the Windows 8 Developer Preview Boot Entry

Go to Start menu and search “msconfig” open it and you will have this Window as I have shown above. There you can see Windows 7 is my Default OS. You just have to select Windows Developer Preview and delete it. Select windows 7 as default if its not showing before deleting. Apply the settings and OK. Now restart your System and you will have a HDD free from Windows 8.

Though  the screenshots refer to Windows 8 Developer Build but it is expected that the procedure should work on all future build of Windows 8 as the concept of VHD remains same.

Note : This is the easiest way to remove Windows 8 installed VHD file. But before doing this process, you must have to define your default OS as windows 7 to your system.





Install Windows 8 using Bootable VHD without Formatting [Guide]

If you are still left who hasn’t tried Windows 8 yet. Then, Installing Windows 8 using VHD (Virtual Hard Disk). Virtual Hard Disk is a single file stored on current Windows 7 system and lets you dual boot Windows 8.

I know there are some working tricks already mentioned to install Widows 8 via VHD, but I am going through step-by-step as how I actually installed it without formatting my system. Little problems came during the process or I should say Doubts, that is what I am clearing here so you can get it installed without any risk to be taken during the process.

Windows 8 is compatible with Netbooks with Intel Atom processor. I have installed it in my HP Notebook and its working Smoothly. Lets begin the installation of Windows 8. Its simple but I need your full attention as a small mistake can cause serious damage to your Data in the HDD.

How to Install Windows 8 as Dual Boot using VHD

1. Create bootable USB

I am sure you know this procedure to create a Bootable USB drive. It’s straightforward using Windows 7 USB DVD Tool. You need a 4 GB USB flash drive. You can make Windows 8 Bootable USB Pendrive easily with SBB Tool.

2. Create VHD

After creating Bootable USB drive of Windows 8, Go to Disk Management [Right click on My Computer and click on Manage] then at the right side More Options and Create VHD. Now create a folder in your drive where at least 30 GB memory is free. It actually uses around 5 GB of space so don’t panic just do the steps as I have shown above.

Must select the Dynamically Expanding, it means that windows 8 will use only the space which is needed, rest will be free to use. After creating folder in your drive, don’t browse it. Just put the exact path for your VHD file. Its not important to just put it in a folder but its for the safety of your VHD file.

If you are right with the process, you must see the Unallocated space in Disk Management.
Okay now after this process, Restart you system and select USB as your first boot device.

3 : Attach VHD 

After getting the installation screen, Do not select any drive ! Press SHIFT+F10 You will have a command prompt. Now put commands without any typing errors.

1 :  DISKPART> select vdisk file=H:\win8\win8.vhd

2 :  DISKPART> attach vdisk

Drive letter “H” may vary in your case.

After putting these commands, your command prompt must look like the Picture shown above. Here you are done. Now just go to the installation window and Hit refresh. It may take a few seconds but after that it will show you the Unallocated Drive. Select it and make a new partition. Click next to start installation.

Its a fully working way of installing Windows 8 & must follow the steps I have given. If any doubts leave your comments.

Note: When I can do it, you can also follow the steps accordingly and install Windows 8 VHD. My steps are correct and refers to what I implemented but Error may be sometimes on your side so be precise while commenting to get accurate solution.