The VHD file extension has two file types – the VHDL Source File format (seen mostly) and the Disk Image File. These files open with nine programs, the main one developed by Microsoft (Notepad). The VHD files categorize as Developer or Disk Image. Mostly these are Developer Files. They identify on desktops and mobiles, supported by Windows, Mac and Linux. The popularity of VHD files is low, not common on everyday devices.
Learn complete details about the VHD extension. Primarily a VHD file is a VHDL Source File for Microsoft Notepad. Data shows Windows 10 users from China view these files, using Chrome.
Also free online VHD tools allow to view, edit, convert, merge, split and compare without installing anything.
Another VHD file is a virtual hard disk by Hyper-V, VirtualBox, VMware and QEMU. It saves as a disk image with file system. The VHD format released in 2005 as royalty-free. VHDX, its extension, introduced in 2012. VHDX files store in .VHDX.
VHDL describes hardware textually. It became a standard to describe digital systems. Many softwares use it to automate design and simulation for High Speed Integrated Circuits. Quartus, ModelSim and DirectVHDL can create, edit and run VHD scripts.
Be careful with .vhd files from unknown sources. Various programs use this extension, not just expected ones, including harmful software. The .vhd extension often gives incorrectly!
Virtualization softwares like Virtual PC, VMware and QEMU work with VHDs. Also 7-Zip checks contents without mounting.
VHDs backup complete environment – operating system, settings, programs and data. They present file systems, support disk and file operations. The format used for Virtual PC as an individual hard disk. Windows XP uses BKF, Windows 7 uses BKF or VHD.
You can examine VHD manually in 7-Zip. Virtual PC uses VHD disk images. VHD is a Virtual Hard Disk Image, provides storage for a virtual machine.
Quartus II relates to VHD data files. VHD is an Altera VHDL Design File for complex digital circuits. It contains Quartus II supported constructs.
Microsoft Virtual PC
Microsoft Hyper-V
Oracle VirtualBox
Xilinx ISE
Quartus Prime