VM Tip #3 Get Small

VHDs get big, really big. You might think an OS and a bunch of software is big, but just go look at your VHD. It's huge. I just installed Windows Server 2003 R2 and SQL Server 2005 on a fresh image and it's over 6GB. Does that sound right? Whether it does or not really isn't the point, over time you will eventually end up with a bloated VHD. When you do, follow these steps:

On the Guest OS:

1. Get rid of all the junk files you have laying around, run disk cleanup, empty the recycle bin.
   
2. Defrag your drive using a tool that moves all the used space to the top of the drive.*
   
3. Run the Precompact.exe utility. **
   
4. Shut Down the Guest OS
   

On the Virtual Server:

1. Inspect and then Compact the disk using the Virtual Server Admin web. ***
   

* Here is the defrag utility I use:

http://www.flexomizer.com/PermaLink,guid,ce99367e-158c-487a-879d-b32145cc1957.aspx

** You can find precompact.exe on the Virtual Machine Additions ISO that came with VPC or Virtual Server.

*** If your using VPC, then you should run the Hard Disk Wizard and make sure and check the Compact Option