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What is .VHD File Extension?

There are mainly two types of .vhd files, one is used for virtual hard disks and another is in Quartus II VHDL Design File. So read detailed information about both of VHD files to learn everything about the particular file type.

  1. .VHD- Virtual Hard Disk File
  2. .VHD- Quartus II VHDL Design File

1) Virtual Hard Disk .VHD format Specifications:

Developer:Microsoft
Primary Association:Windows Vista
Format Type:Binary
File Category:Backup files (Disk Image Files)
MIME Type:application/octet-stream
Hex Signature:63 6F 6E 65 63 74 69 78
Supported Platforms:Microsoft Windows Operating Systems
Located in:User defined

Get Detailed Information of VHD File Format!

The .vhd file extension is a Windows backup file primary associated with Windows Vista and also used by a Windows virtual server to backup complete PC in a single disk image. A VHD type file is also known as image-based backup file which can be used to backup and restore your whole PC environment such as: operating system, user settings, installed programs, and data files, etc. These virtual disks are proficient of presenting native file systems (NTFS, FAT, exFAT, and UDFS) while supporting standard disk & file operations.

VHD (Virtual Hard Disk) format of the file is used for Microsoft Windows Virtual PC that works as an individual hard disk. Where Windows XP uses BKF file to backup Windows PC and Win 7 has option to create .bkf or .vhd for backup files. We hope now you will able to understand what is VHD file format and for what purpose it is used. Keep reading for more details.

What is the Basic Structure of VHD File Extension?

A virtual hard disk (.VHD) is a file that captures a hard disk image for holding complete PC backup. VHD files may be used to test software programs, install multiple OS on a single PC, or run older applications. You can view or read a VHD file binary structure by opening the file with Editplus program. To check more details about the VHD file structure reads a blog.

What Programs Can Open VHD File Types in Windows:

  1. Microsoft Windows Virtual PC
  2. Microsoft Virtual Server
  3. VMware Workstation 11
  4. Oracle VM VirtualBox
  5. 7-Zip

Application to Read VHD File Content in MAC:

  1. Oracle VM VirtualBox
  2. VMware Fusion 7

Open VHD Files in Linux:

  1. Oracle VM VirtualBox
  2. VMware Workstation 11

2) .VHD- Quartus II VHDL Design File

Developer:Altera
File Category:Developer File
Format Type:Text
Primary Association:Quartus II design software

Brief Information of VHDL Design File!

The VHD file extension is also used by the Quartus II design software. VHDL files stand for Very High Speed Integrated Circuits (VHSIC). This file is a text file generally used for automating the design of electrical circuits and components. Quartus II replaces the MAX+PLUS II Software for chip design. So VHD files were also used by MAX+PLUS application.

Programs to Open VHD Files in Windows:
  1. Mentor Graphics ModelSim
  2. Xilinx ISE Design Suite
  3. Green Mountain DirectVHDL
Applications to Read VHD File in MAC:
  1. Green Mountain DirectVHDL
Softwares to Open VHD File in Linux:
  1. Xilinx ISE Design Suite
  2. Mentor Graphics ModelSim