Easily Repair VHD File (Damaged or Corrupted) in macOS

Virtual Hard Disk (VHD) files are a common format used in virtualization, allowing you to create and run virtual machines on your system. However, just like any other file format, VHD files can become damaged or corrupted, leading to data loss and potentially rendering your virtual machine unusable.

And if you are a macOS user, you may be wondering if there is a way to repair a damaged or corrupted VHD file on macOS. The good news is that with the right tools and techniques, it is possible to easily repair VHD files in macOS and restore them to their original state.

In this article, I will unveil some of the methods and tools you can use to repair VHD files in macOS, so you can get back to using your virtual machines with confidence.

What causes VHD files to get corrupted or damaged?

There are several reasons why a VHD file may become corrupted or damaged. Here are some of the common causes:

Hardware failure- If there is a hardware failure on the physical hard drive where the VHD file is stored, it can lead to the corruption of the VHD file.

Power failure- If your computer shuts down unexpectedly due to a power outage or other issues, it can cause data corruption in the VHD file.

Malware or virus- If your computer is infected with malware or a virus, it can corrupt the VHD file and cause data loss.

Software issues- If there is a bug or software compatibility issue with the virtualization software you are using to create or manage the VHD file, it can cause corruption.

Overuse or misuse- If you frequently use and modify the VHD file, or if you use it in a way that exceeds its intended purpose, it can lead to corruption or damage.

Bad sectors on the hard drive- Over time, the physical hard drive where the VHD file is stored can develop bad sectors. If these bad sectors happen to be in the area where the VHD file is stored, it can cause corruption.

Network issues- If the VHD file is stored on a network drive or accessed over a network, network issues such as interruptions, latency, or bandwidth limitations can cause corruption or data loss. It’s important to ensure that your network is stable and reliable when working with VHD files over a network.

Malicious entities- Apart from malware and viruses, malicious entities such as hackers or cybercriminals can also cause VHD file corruption or damage by intentionally modifying or deleting files. This is why it’s important to have strong security measures in place to protect your VHD files and the systems they are stored on.

Antivirus itself- In rare cases, antivirus software can mistakenly identify a VHD file or its components as a threat and attempt to quarantine or delete them. This can result in the VHD file becoming corrupted or damaged. To prevent this, it’s important to configure your antivirus software to exclude VHD files from scans or to whitelist trusted VHD files.

It’s important to note that VHD files are complex data structures, and any type of damage or corruption can lead to data loss or other issues. That’s why it’s important to regularly back up your VHD files and take steps to prevent data loss.

Repair VHD File in macOS

If you have a damaged or corrupted VHD file in macOS, there are several methods and tools you can use to repair it. Here are some of the most common techniques:

1- Use Disk Utility

If you have a damaged or corrupted VHD file on macOS, one of the methods to repair it is by using the built-in Disk Utility tool. Disk Utility is a built-in tool in macOS that can repair disk and file system errors.

You can use it to repair VHD files that have minor corruption or damage. Simply open Disk Utility, select the VHD file, and click on “First Aid” to run a disk repair. Or Here’s how you can do it:

You can access Disk Utility by going to Applications > Utilities > Disk Utility or by searching for “Disk Utility” in Spotlight.

In Disk Utility, locate the VHD file that you want to repair.

Select the VHD file and click on the First Aid button in the toolbar.

Click on Run to start the repair process. Disk Utility will check the file system and repair any errors that it finds.

After the repair process is complete, Disk Utility will display a report showing the results of the repair. If any errors were found and repaired, the VHD file should now be in a usable state.

It’s important to note that Disk Utility is only able to repair minor file system errors. If the VHD file is severely damaged or corrupted, you may need to use other methods or even third-party VHD repair tools.

2- Use a third-party VHD repair tool

If you have a VHD file on macOS that Disk Utility can’t repair, you may need to use a third-party VHD repair tool to recover your data.

There are several third-party tools available that can repair damaged or corrupted VHD files. Some popular options include SysInfoTools VHD Recovery, Kernel for VHD Recovery, and Stellar Phoenix Virtual Machine Data Recovery.

These tools can repair various types of VHD corruption, including file system errors, bad sectors, and partition table issues. Research and choose a tool that suits your needs. For now, here’s how you can use a third-party VHD repair tool:

Download and install the VHD repair tool that you have chosen.

Launch the VHD repair tool and select the damaged VHD file that you want to repair.

Follow the instructions provided by the VHD repair tool to run the repair process. The tool will attempt to repair any errors or corruption in the VHD file.

After the repair process is complete, check the repair results provided by the tool. If the tool was able to successfully repair the VHD file, your data should now be accessible.

It’s important to note that not all third-party VHD repair tools are created equal, and some may be more effective than others. Additionally, some tools may require a license or purchase to access their full functionality. Before using a third-party tool, it’s a good idea to research and read reviews to ensure that the tool is trustworthy and effective.

3- Use a virtual machine manager

If you can also use a virtual machine manager like VirtualBox or Parallels Desktop to fix this issue. You may be able to recover your data by creating a new virtual machine and attaching the damaged VHD file as a secondary disk. Here’s how you can do it:

To fix this issue, you will need a virtual machine. Begin to download and install either VirtualBox or Parallels on your macOS.

Open the Virtual Machine Manager that you use, such as VirtualBox or Parallels Desktop.

Create a new virtual machine by following the instructions provided by your virtual machine manager. Make sure that the virtual machine has the same operating system as the VHD file that you want to recover data from.

In your virtual machine manager, attach the damaged VHD file as a secondary disk to your new virtual machine. This should allow you to access the files within the VHD file and recover them.

Boot up the virtual machine and access the damaged VHD file as a secondary disk. From there, you can copy the files that you need to another location, such as an external hard drive or a cloud storage service.

It’s important to note that this method may not work for severely damaged or corrupted VHD files. Additionally, if you don’t use a virtual machine manager or don’t have a virtual machine set up with the same operating system as the VHD file, this method may not be applicable to your situation.