COMMAND EVERYTHING.

Convert-VHD

Converts the format, version type, and block size of a virtual hard disk file.

Windows Server · Risk: High · Documentation Verified

Last verified: 2026-10-26

Microsoft Hyper-V reference: Converts the format, version type, and block size of a virtual hard disk file. The syntax and selected example below are adapted from the pinned Windows Server 2025 reference. Module availability, target configuration and delegated permissions determine whether it can run in your environment. Documentation and parameter text: Microsoft, CC BY 4.0; formatting adapted by Cmdlet World. No execution testing is claimed.

Convert-VHD [-Path] <String> [-DestinationPath] <String> [-VHDType <VhdType>] [-ParentPath <String>]
 [-BlockSizeBytes <UInt32>] [-DeleteSource] [-AsJob] [-Passthru] [-CimSession <CimSession[]>]
 [-ComputerName <String[]>] [-Credential <PSCredential[]>] [-WhatIf] [-Confirm] [<CommonParameters>]

Copied 0 times

Required permissions

Use an account with the target resource permissions documented for Convert-VHD. Modifying administrative cmdlets may require elevation or delegated administration. This catalog does not assert that ordinary users can execute the command.

Supported environments

Windows / Hyper-V · Windows Server 2025 documentation; feature/module prerequisites apply

Parameters

-AsJob: Runs the cmdlet as a background job.
-BlockSizeBytes: Specifies the block size, in bytes, of the virtual hard disk after conversion.
-CimSession: Runs the cmdlet in a remote session or on a remote computer. Enter a computer name or a session object, such as the output of a New-CimSession or Get-CimSession cmdlet. The default is the current session on the local computer.
-ComputerName: Specifies one or more Hyper-V hosts on which the virtual hard disk is to be converted. NetBIOS names, IP addresses, and fully qualified domain names are allowable. The default is the local computer. Use localhost or a dot (.) to specify the local computer explicitly.
-Confirm: Prompts you for confirmation before running the cmdlet.
-Credential: Specifies one or more user accounts that have permission to perform this action. The default is the current user.
-DeleteSource: Specifies that the source virtual hard disk is to be deleted after the conversion.
-DestinationPath (required): Specifies the path to the converted virtual hard disk file.
-ParentPath: Specifies the parent path for the destination-differencing virtual hard disk file.
-Passthru: Specifies that an object is to be passed through to the pipeline representing the converted virtual hard disk.
-Path (required): Specifies the path to the virtual hard disk file to be converted. If a file name or relative path is specified, the path of the converted hard disk path is calculated relative to the current working directory
-VHDType: Specifies the type of the converted virtual hard disk. Allowed values are Fixed, Dynamic, and Differencing. The default is determined by the type of source virtual hard disk.
-WhatIf: Shows what would happen if the cmdlet runs. The cmdlet is not run.

Prerequisites

Windows with the Hyper-V module and the Windows feature or management tools that provide it. Confirm target connectivity and version compatibility using the linked Microsoft reference.

Security considerations

This cmdlet changes system state. Review every target and parameter in the official reference, test outside production, and prepare an appropriate backup or rollback. Do not execute the example automatically.

Examples

Example 1

Convert-VHD -Path c:\test\testvhd.vhd -DestinationPath c:\test\testvhdx.vhdx

This example converts a source VHD to a destination VHDX. Because the format is determined by the file name extension and the default type is determined by the source virtual hard disk when no type is specified, the destination virtual hard disk will be a VHDX-format disk of the same type as the source virtual hard disk. Source: Microsoft, CC BY 4.0; transcript prompt/output removed. This example was not executed.

Sources

https://github.com/MicrosoftDocs/windows-powershell-docs/blob/b7645dd8c687139b28e845119da30ec670526507/docset/winserver2025-ps/Hyper-V/Convert-VHD.md

https://learn.microsoft.com/powershell/module/hyper-v/convert-vhd?view=windowsserver2025-ps

Personal collections

Explain or customize this command with AI

Related commands

Add-CauClusterRole

Add-ClusterCheckpoint

Get-FsrmAdrSetting

Clear-HgsServer