Windows 10: Virtual Hard disk Files can't be mounted from image files

Please allow me to explain my problem for it to be better understood. Approx. three weeks ago my computer just suddenly shut down. Within a few seconds I was receiving a display that said Windows will repair your computer and reinstall Windows. I did a lot of reading and research in this forum and now realize that my computer apparently crashed back then. Since windows repaired and reinstalled windows the computer seemed to work ok, except for limited of programs. I was advised by a friend who is Microsoft Insider, that my files needed to be reinstalled. If I may, before I can explain further, can I ask if my files can be recovered if I didn't have any backups. I will continue after a response, thank you.

:)

 

Help! I can't backup my computer!

FYI: Most imaging programs allow mounting the image to view and copy out files. You should not try to edit the image doing this or it might destabilize.

In Windows imaging you can use
VHD or VHDX File - Mount or Unmount in Windows 10 or in previous versions
Virtual Hard Disk - Create and Attach VHD.

 

fragmented disk image

Hi Brandon,

VHD (Virtual Hard Disk) is a file that represents a virtual hard drive and contains what is normally found on a physical hard disk drive. You can try to mount the VHD images to extract and recover the file by following the steps below:

• Right-click on Start Menu and select Disk Management.
• On the Disk Management window, click Action and select
  Attach VHD.
• Click Browse, navigate to and select the VHD file, click
  Open, then OK.
  
• You can now proceed to browse, copy and open files from the mounted VHD.

Note: You may have to mount all VHD files to extract a single disk image file from it.

Get back to us if you need further assistance.

 

"...that my files needed to be reinstalled..."
Any and all 3rd party programs and utilities have to be re-installed.
Now, if you're meaning your Data folders and files -- that will be another long, hard, story.

 

RolandS, thanks for your reply. I am sure it is 3rd party programs, since those programs are showing a short list that was many before the crash occurred. are the files recoverable if no backups available. I would like to explain further info if files cannot be recovered. Where do I continue to my explanation, here.

 

You can boot the computer from a USB flash drive or DVD of a recovery tools drive like Kyhi's:
Windows 10 Recovery Tools - Bootable Rescue Disk - Windows 10 Forums

You can use that to make a backup of your files, but you will need a place to store the backups such as an external hard drive.

 

RolandS,,
Thanks for your reply. It would be a little difficult for me to accomplish your comment. There fore, please review the following. I have discovered that I did in fact accomplish a backup of seven disks back on May 15, 2017. I used DVD-RW disks.
and when I attempted to to mount the files from any of the disks I received the following message. Virtual hard disk files can't be mounted from image files, or from removable media that isn't formatted with NTFS file system. I tried formatting a blank dvd disk, then I used a program to copy one of the backup disks. When I attempted to have the copy of a backup disk write to the formatted disk, it said the disk was not empty, due to the formatting. I am totally lost and inexperienced. I would appreciate getting any help I can. Thank you.

 

"...I have discovered that I did in fact accomplish a backup of seven disks back on May 15, 2017. I used DVD-RW disks.
and when I attempted to to mount the files from any of the disks I received the following message. Virtual hard disk files can't be mounted from image files, or from removable media that isn't formatted with NTFS file system..."
I have not made CD or DVD backups since Norton Ghost and Windows for Workgroups 3.11 -- I'll have to go into listening mode, learning alongside you, from the knowledge and experiences of others.

 

RolandS,
I found away to transfer data on one of the seven backup disks I have to a USB flash drive that I formatted to a NTFS system. Could you tell me how to mount the image files to my hard drive, as I need them to appear in the programs and features. It is a lot of work that is ahead for me to do what I did on the remaining backup disks, although its worth it. Also, any other Forum member could with a similar problem could use. Thank you

 

Hey jetman,
Sounds like there are .iso files on the DVDs you created? If that's the case then see this thread starting at post #4 ... Virtual hard disk can't be mounted ... Solved - Windows 10 Forums

 

Eagle51,
Thank you for alerting me regarding the issue I have in trying to get my program file back into my system. I thought I was on the right track, until I started getting messages like "You do not have permission to mount" "files are corrupted" I lack experience with the details explaining what to do. Post #4 was simple for the young lady that has been around for a few years. I am kind of lost and hope the backup disks are the answer to regain my program files. I could really us some help as I am determine to win before I give up on Windows 10 that was shaping up to be a fantastic system. Thank you.

 

Nope if they are on disk, I wouldn't doubt they are recorded UDF(Universal Disk Format File).

I'm sure 7Zip can open them,




You can try copying the files from each disk into a folder(to make it easier) On desktop right click, then select New > folder. name it whatever you want.




Get 7 Zip from here: https://sourceforge.net/p/sevenzip/d...read/de8085ea/

Then after you have copied all the disk files into the folder, open 7Zip by using 7Zip like you would File Explorer.

 

Chris S
I am attempting to copy backup disks to the desk top folder I created, and the first two disks initiated a message as follows....There is not enough space on DVD RW drive. You need an additional 4.34 GB to copy these files. My hard drive is I TB 791GB free. Need help

 

Chris S
I am patiently awaiting your assistance. I realize you are not my personal instructor, however, you are the one person that has given me hope of resolving my problem. I appreciate the others as well and thank them. I will wait for your assistance.

 

I have no way to test what is hampering you from dragging an dropping from a CD to a file on your hard drive.
I was able to do it on an o0ld Win7 Repair disk.
Open the folder on the DVD/CD and copy the files inside, and not the whole disk at once.

I did these on my laptop that has a DVD player/recorder: