# Virtual Hard Disk v2 file format

> virtual disk file format

**Wikidata**: [Q123245803](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q123245803)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VHDX)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/virtual-hard-disk-v2-file-format

## Summary
Virtual Hard Disk v2 (VHDX) is a virtual disk file format (file extension .vhdx) used to store the contents and structure of a disk volume. The format is defined in Microsoft's specification "[MS-VHDX]: Virtual Hard Disk v2 (VHDX) File Format" and is classified as a disk image.

## Key Facts
- Virtual Hard Disk v2 is commonly known by the alias VHDX and uses the file extension .vhdx.
- VHDX is an instance of the disk image class (a computer file containing the contents and structure of a disk volume).
- VHDX follows (succeeds) the earlier Virtual Hard Disk format.
- The formal specification is documented in Microsoft's "[MS-VHDX]: Virtual Hard Disk v2 (VHDX) File Format" (English).
- Two unofficial MIME types are recorded for VHDX in the shared-mime-info data: application/x-vhdx-disk (noted 2023-10-29) and application/x-virtualbox-vhdx (noted 2023-10-30).
- The VHDX format is covered on Wikipedia under the title "VHDX" with pages in at least five languages (de, en, ja, ko, zh).
- Wikidata describes VHDX succinctly as a "virtual disk file format."
- Sitelink count for the entity is recorded as 5.

## FAQs
### Q: What is VHDX?
A: VHDX (Virtual Hard Disk v2) is a virtual disk file format with the .vhdx extension. It is a type of disk image defined in Microsoft's "[MS-VHDX]" specification.

### Q: How is VHDX related to the original Virtual Hard Disk format?
A: VHDX follows the earlier Virtual Hard Disk format, meaning it is the successor format referenced in available metadata.

### Q: How can I identify a VHDX file?
A: A VHDX file typically uses the .vhdx file extension. Unofficial MIME types recorded in shared-mime-info include application/x-vhdx-disk and application/x-virtualbox-vhdx.

## Why It Matters
VHDX serves as a standardized container for representing a disk volume's contents and structure in a single file. As an instance of the disk image class, it enables storage, distribution, and management of disk volumes in contexts where a logical disk needs to be captured or moved as a file. Its specification is published by Microsoft ([MS-VHDX]), which provides a formal reference for implementers and tools that create, read, or manipulate VHDX files. The existence of recorded MIME types in shared-mime-info and multiple language entries on Wikipedia indicate adoption and recognition across toolchains and documentation. Because it follows the earlier Virtual Hard Disk format, VHDX represents a defined evolution in virtual disk file formats and serves as a point of interoperability documentation for systems and applications that work with virtual disk images.

## Notable For
- Using the .vhdx file extension and being commonly referred to as VHDX.
- Being formally specified in Microsoft's "[MS-VHDX]: Virtual Hard Disk v2 (VHDX) File Format" documentation.
- Being the successor to the original Virtual Hard Disk format (it follows Virtual Hard Disk).
- Having unofficial MIME type registrations recorded in the shared-mime-info dataset (application/x-vhdx-disk; application/x-virtualbox-vhdx).
- Coverage across multiple Wikipedia language pages under the title "VHDX."

## Body
### Overview
- Virtual Hard Disk v2 is a virtual disk file format.
- It is identified by the alias VHDX and the file extension .vhdx.
- Wikidata describes it as a "virtual disk file format."
- It is an instance of the disk image class, which denotes files that contain the contents and structure of a disk volume.

### Specification and authoritative reference
- The format is documented in Microsoft's specification titled "[MS-VHDX]: Virtual Hard Disk v2 (VHDX) File Format."
- The described_at_url for the specification is: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/openspecs/windows_protocols/ms-vhdx/83e061f8-f6e2-4de1-91bd-5d518a43d477 (English).

### File identification and MIME types
- File extension: vhdx.
- Aliases: VHDX, .vhdx.
- Unofficial MIME types recorded in shared-mime-info:
  - application/x-vhdx-disk (reference noted 2023-10-29).
  - application/x-virtualbox-vhdx (reference noted 2023-10-30).

### Classification and relationships
- Instance of: disk image (a computer file containing the contents and structure of a disk volume).
- Follows: Virtual Hard Disk (VHD), indicating VHDX is the successor format in the Virtual Hard Disk lineage.
- Wikipedia title: VHDX.
- Wikipedia language coverage includes at least German (de), English (en), Japanese (ja), Korean (ko), and Chinese (zh).
- Sitelink count recorded as 5.

### References and metadata
- Primary specification: [MS-VHDX]: Virtual Hard Disk v2 (VHDX) File Format (English).
- Shared-mime-info entries provide unofficial MIME-type annotations with dates recorded in late October 2023.

## References

1. [Source](https://gitlab.freedesktop.org/xdg/shared-mime-info/-/blob/2.3/data/freedesktop.org.xml.in#L8042-8051)