How to shrink Windows 7 XP Mode VHD files?

Here's how I do it:

1) Make sure the VHD is shutdown (status should be Powered down)

2) In the Virtual Machines folder, right-click the Virtual Machine

3) Click Settings on the menu

4) Select the HD in question and click Modify

5) Select the option to Compact

Using Windows 7 to compact a VHD (using i:\ as an example):

Prior to compacting the VHD run cleanmgr /d c within the VM to delete any temporary files.

Load up computer management -> disk management
Mount the VHD from the actions menu using Attach VHD
Extract precompact.exe from

C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Virtual PC\Integration Components\Precompact.iso
Run the following, where the i refers to the drive letter the VHD is attached to:
```
precompact.exe -SetDisks:i
```
Defrag the drive. This will require admin privileges so use runas to open command prompt or enter command prompt into the search box and select context item 'run as administrator'
```
defrag i: /H /U /X
```
Within disk management select action Detach VHD.
Compact the drive inside Virtual PC settings.

Precompact.exe zeros the VHD – that way using the compactor actually works. Note that in some cases this process can increase the VHD size!

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