If you've been working with Microsoft Virtual PC you probably noted that the virtual hard disks (.vhd files) tend to bulk out on your host drive. So here is a little tip to help with this, that I just discovered.
- From within your guest OS, Capture ISO... and point to C:\Program Files\Microsoft Virtual PC\Virtual Machine Additions\Virtual Disk Precompactor.iso
- When AutoPlay starts up the iso, you'll get a dialog asking you if you want to prepare the virtual hard disk for compaction. Which you of course want to
- When that is done, follow the instructions and shut down the guest OS
- From you host OS, in the Virtual PC Console. Select File -> Virtual Disk Wizard
- Select Edit an existing virtual disk
- Browse to your .vhd file
- Select Compact it
- And then choose if you want to replace the existing one or save the compacted disk as a new file
- Let it run, and hopefully you just freed some disk space on you host system