Windows with C++: The Virtual Disk API in Windows 7

My latest Windows with C++ column in the April 2009 issue of MSDN Magazine is now online:

The Virtual Disk API in Windows 7

As I write this, the Windows 7 beta has been available for a few days, and I must say there is a lot to like. As usual, I took a look under the hood to see what is new in the Windows SDK. Windows 7 is very much a minor release as far as the SDK is concerned, and that's a good thing. The fundamentals of writing native C++ applications for Windows 7 have not changed much compared to the way they changed for Windows Vista. Having said that, however, Windows 7 has some completely new features that are sure to interest anyone looking to take advantage of the platform.

One of these features is the Virtual Disk API. Although designed with other formats in mind, the Virtual Disk API in the Windows 7 beta is very much geared toward the Microsoft Virtual Hard Disk (VHD) format popularized by virtualization products from Microsoft such as Hyper-V and Virtual PC.

Enjoy!

If you’re looking for one of my previous articles here is a complete list of them for you to browse through.

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