Installing 10 Technical Preview [VHD]

With the relse of 10 Technical Preview, I think is a good shot to explain how to install an OS in a VHD (Virtual Hard ). Because this is a Preview, which mns it's a beta version, installing this edition as Default and unique OS isn't a good choice at all. Crashes, may happen.
One option is install the 10 TP in a virtual machine. In PC's with lack of memory and fast CPU .. you won't be able to enjoy the rl 10.
My suggestion, is to crte a new partition and install it there, or even more sier and also secure, install it in a Virtual Hard .

Download 10 TP
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What is a Virtual Hard ?

Virtual hard (VHD) is a file format for storing the complete contents of a hard drive. The , sometimes called a virtual machine, replies an existing hard drive and includes all data and structural elements. It can be stored anywhere the physical host can access.

There are two main types of virtual hard s: fixed-size and dynamically expanding. Both types have a maximum size value that specifies how large the will appr to virtual machines. However, fixed-size VHDs will automatically take up the specified amount of physical space on the host computer's file system, whers dynamically expanding s will alloe space only as needed.

Advantages of installing in VHD

Significant benefits result from the ability to boot a physical computer from a virtual hard drive:
se of deployment: IT organizations can deploy standardized, 'pre-built' configurations on a single VHD. As an example, software engineering organizations which need a specific set of tools for a particular project could simply 'pull' the appropriately-configured VHD from a network loion.Backup-and-Restore: Changes to the contents of a VHD (such as infection by a virus, or accidental deletion of critical files) are sily undone.Multi-User Isolation: Many current operating systems support having multiple users, but offer varying degrees of protection between them (e.g., one user of the OS could become infected by a virus which infects other users, or make changes to the OS which affect other users). By giving ch user their own version of the operating system—say, by crting for ch of them a differencing VHD based on a base installation of the OS—changes to any particular child would have no effect on any of the other child s.
Crte and mount VHD

I will work just in CMD ( Command Prompt)

Run CMD
On 8.x, press + S and srch for cmd
For older OS you can srch for it on Start Menufor cmd
In addition, you can access Prompt by pressing + R and type cmd, then OK
To work with VHD files, I'll use the parttool.

Part.exe is a text-mode command interpreter that enables you to manage objects (s, partitions, or volumes) by using scripts or direct input from a command prompt. Before you can use Part.exe commands on a , partition, or volume, you must first list and then select the object to give it focus. When an object has focus, any Part.exe commands that you type act on that object. [source]


Once on Prompt, type part to initialize part tool. (require administrator rights)

A new window will show up (see more). Now type the following script [change the specifiions as you wish like path, size, type ...]










crte v file="D:\v.vhd" maximum=40000 type=expandable
attach v
crte partition primary
assign letter=m
format
Remember this is just an example
In the first line, the syntax is based on:

crte v file=<file path>[maximum=<size in Megabytes>] |{[type=<fixed|expandable>]

You can also modify the fourth line. There, you tell partwhich drive letter you want to assign to the volume. In this case,M:
Be careful with the letter you chose. You can get an exception because that letter is alrdy in use. Go to Explorer followed by Computer and take a look for the letters in use. You can't use any of them.


VHD was successfully crted and formatted.

WAIK Tools ( Automated Installation Kit)

The Automated Installation Kit ( AIK) is designed to help original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), system builders, and corporate IT professionals deploy onto new hardware. The AIK is a set of deployment tools supporting the latest relse of . This guide describes the methods, tools, and requirements for deploying . [source]

Because we just need x, is ridiculous download an ISO file with 2Gb or more when x actuallyis a 598kb size file.
There is an app which allow you to download the main tools for Vista/7/8.x including x.
Know more about x tool


Download here





Copy the folder path of x.exe [example: C:\Folder_name]In pictures above, the path is a bit extensive and complex to use in command prompt. To avoid any problems, plse, copy the x.exe to directory C: .(or C:\Sources for example, something simple). The following scripts in this tutorial will present the path C:\x.exe (s may not match, I will update them)Applying WIM to VHD

Mount the download ISO file ( 10)In 7 and 8.x, exists an integrated tool in which allow you to mount virtual s. Just right-click on Iso filnd click Mount. If that option is not available, use thirdly-part software like UltraIso, Dmon Tools ...Run cmd as administratorOn 8.x, press + S and srch for cmd. Right-click and press Run as AdminWorks the same way for older OS. On Start Menu, srch for cmd and Run as AdminType the loion x.exe _folder path of x_
Example: C:\
Example2: C:\Folder
(ignore the considered path on )



Type
x /apply _ISO mounted path\sources\install.wim_ 1 _VHD assigned letter_
Example:x /apply f:\sources\install.wim 1 m:

The base structure is
x /apply _file _ _name _path

_file : Specifies the name and the loion of the volume applied to the directory.
_ :Specifies the that references the specific volume within the .wim file.
_path :Specifies the file path where the will be applied.

Wait a few minutes for completation











Adding a VHD to native bootRun cmd as administratorOn 8.x, press + Sand srch forcmd. Right-click and pressRun as AdminWorks the same way for older OS. OnStart Menu, srch forcmdandRun as AdminType
bboot _vhd assigned letter_\
Example: bboot M:\

ConcludingNow, restart your PC. Boot to 10 Technical Preview and finish installation
[pictures and more support coming soon]

10 Technical Preview Product
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