: 16 GB (32-bit) or 20 GB (64-bit) minimum for the OS alone.
Since Microsoft has restricted access to official evaluation VHDs, you may need to look for trusted archiving or developer sites: Internet Archive Search for "Windows 8.1 VHD". Microsoft Evaluation Center Occasionally offers ISOs that can be used to create VHDs. windows 8.1 vhd download
Once you have downloaded or created your VHD/VHDX file, here is how to run it: : 16 GB (32-bit) or 20 GB (64-bit) minimum for the OS alone
Follow the wizard, allocating at least 2GB of RAM (2048 MB) for a stable experience. Once you have downloaded or created your VHD/VHDX
Specify a file location, choose your disk size, select or VHDX , and choose Fixed size for better performance.
Method 2: Create a Native VHD via Disk Management (Native Boot)
A is a file format that acts as a virtual, self-contained hard drive. It encapsulates everything you'd find on a physical hard drive, including an operating system, applications, and data, all within a single .vhd or .vhdx file. A .vhdx file, introduced with Windows 8, is a newer version that supports larger storage capacity, among other improvements.