How to compact my virtual disk?
Steps at guest machine:
1. Empty ddlcache folder
sfc.exe /cachesize=1
reboot machine
sfc.exe /purgecache
2. Delete log files
Del *.log /s
3. Empty Update folder
C:\Program Files\WindowsUpdate
4. Empty Services Pack folders
%windir%
5. Empty Drivers.cab folder
%windir%\Driver Cache\i386
6. Empty %temp% folder
7. Empty Recylcle bin
8. Turn off System Restore, hibernation,
9. Disable prefetcher
run "regedit"
goto [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\Memory Management\PrefetchParameters\EnablePrefetcher];
Set the value to either 0-Disable.
10. Empty recycle bin
11. Disable pagefile
My computer à Properties à click ‘Advance’ tab à under performance, click ‘Settings’ à click ‘Advance’ tab à under Virtual Memory, click ‘Change’ à select ‘no paging file’ à click ‘OK’
12. Defragment your virtual disk
All Program Files à Accessories à System Tools à Disk Defragmenter
13. Run Virtual Disk Precompactor
At Virtual Machine window, go to menu bar, CD à capture ISO image à browse to “C:\Program Files\Microsoft Virtual PC\Virtual Machine Additions” select Virtual Disk Precompactor.iso
14. Close your virtual machine [remember to save the changes and commit to your virtual disk]
Steps at host machine - Run virtual disk wizard
1. Launch Virtual PC console
2. Select the virtual machine
3. Click ‘Settings’
4. Select ‘Hard Disk’ at the left panel
5. Click ‘Virtual Disk Wizard’, this will launch the wizard
6. Click ‘Next’
7. Select ‘ Edit an existing virtual disk’
8. Click ‘Next’ and browse to the virtual disk you want to compact, click ‘Open’
9. Click ‘Next’
10. Select ‘Compact it’ and click ‘Next’
11. You have the option whether to replace original virtual disk or save it in another file
12. Click ‘Next’
13. Click ‘Finish’ and start the compaction
14. After compaction, just use any zip tool to zip your virtual disk for storage
