How can I attach a VHDx or VHD file in Linux?

Question

How can I attach a VHDX or VHD file in Linux?

I mean attach the virtual hard disk as a block device, and use external tools to read these devices.

The filesystem inside is not mountable. I do not need to mount the filesystem, but deal with it as if it was on a real hard disk.

I read the manual page of guestfish, but could not find how to do it.

Answer 1

You can use libguestfs-tools to achieve this.

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1. First, you need to install it, on Ubuntu/Debian-like Linux that would be:

   sudo apt-get install libguestfs-tools
   

2. Then, you can mount almost whatever you wish:

   guestmount --add yourVirtualDisk.vhdx --inspector --ro /mnt/anydirectory
   

   This is just an example of read-only extraction point.

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Hints:

1. Run it as normal user, i.e.:

   guestmount ...
   

   Instead of:

   sudo guestmount ...
   

2. Switches; citations from man page:

   --add
   

   Add a block device or virtual machine image.

   --inspector
   

   Using virt-inspector(1) code, inspect the disks looking for an operating system and mount filesystems as they would be mounted on the real virtual machine.

   --ro
   

   Add devices and mount everything read-only. Also disallow writes and make the disk appear read-only to FUSE.