4. Now, we need to initialize the disk so that Windows can access it. To do so, scroll down (if needed) inside of the detailed partition map at the bottom of Disk Management and find the disk that you just created (percentage bar should be black inside of blue). Now, click the button where it says Disk 2, Unknown (yes, it’s actually a button). You can then either right click the button and select “Initialize Disk” or go to “Action > All Tasks > Initialize Disk.”
Initialize Disk
5. This should bring up a new window titled “Initialize Disk.” Make sure that your new disk is checked and select “MBR” (I do not suggest selecting GPT unless you know why you need it). Afterwards, click “OK.” This will initialize the disk and allow you to create your first partition on the disk. To do so, either right click the “Unallocated” box and select “New Simple Volume” or go to “Action > All Tasks > New Simple Volume.”
Creating a New Simple Volume
6. This will present us with a new window titled “New Simple Volume Wizard.” Click “Next.” Unless you want to create two partitions on this disk, simply click “Next” again (if you would like to create two partitions, then make sure that you edit the simple volume size to leave some free space on the disk; however, most users will not need this option). If you would like to mount the disk with the new partition as a separate volume (allowing you to access it in Explorer with a different drive letter), then simply click “Next.” However, if you would prefer to have the disk mounted as a folder (for example, the root of the disk would be located at something like “C:tmp”), then select “Mount in the following empty NTFS folder” and either type the location of the folder or click “Browse,” select the folder, and click “Next.” If you don’t want to access the partition whatsoever yet, then select the third choice and click “Next.” Now, unless you know what you are doing, simply select a Volume Label and click “Next.” You can now review your choices (and optionally go back and change anything); afterwards, click “Finish.”
So Many Choices...
7. Your new VHD should now be accessible.
The New Partition
This was originally going to be a full guide on VHDs for Windows 7; however, I have decided to split it into several parts (I will eventually cover how to install Windows 7 into the VHD, how to attach and remove the VHD, and how to add the VHD to the bootloader in Vista, as described in the beginning of this document) as it has become way too long to add anything else (1001 words). So keep an eye out for my next article.
