How to convert VDI to VMDK or VHD in easy way

While third-party tools like VMware Standalone Converter and Starwind V-2-V exist for converting VDI to VMDK or VHD, leveraging VirtualBox’s native capabilities offers a speedy alternative. You can follow our step-by-step guide, applicable to both Windows and Linux environments, and optimize your virtualization workflow effortlessly.
Go to virtualbox install directory in windows command prompt and type the following command.

VBoxManage.exe clonehd c:\DiskVirtualold-disk.vdi c:\DiskVirtualnew-disk.vmdk –format vmdk –type normal –variant standard

Now, you can attach the converted vdisk to the VM of your choice.

See the example screenshots below.

How to stop unresponsive Windows Service

In windows system administration, understanding how to stop windows services which is not responding or hanged is a crucial skill. Whether you’re troubleshooting a misbehaving process or aiming to optimize system resources, knowing the ins and outs of service management can significantly impact your computing experience.

In this example, let’s forcefully stop the windows time service by killing the associated process.

First, query the service PID via NT service controller.

sc queryex <servicename>
eg.
sc queryex w32time
Note: you can find the service name from services.msc in Run box. Here w32time for Windows Time Service.

2) Note the PID of the service. Here our process ID is 904

3) kill the process by PID.
tskill 904

Change grayed out Windows Service Startup Option

You might sometimes encounter grayed-out services, particularly in scenarios like antivirus programs where certain services are intentionally safeguarded against tampering for security purposes, can pose challenges in managing your system effectively. However, there are strategies you can employ to navigate this hurdle and regain control over these services.

Option 1 – Startup Config

1) type “msconfig” in Run box
2) in the service tab, uncheck the service
3) reboot the computer

Option 2 – Registry Modification

The second method involves accessing the Windows Registry, the central repository of system settings, and making targeted modifications to alter the startup type of the grayed-out services.
1) Go to HKLMSYSTEMCurrentControlSetServices
2) Double-Click the Start SubKey
3) Change the DWORD value to 0 to 4 according to your startup option. 2 for Automatic & 4 for Disabled.

Below are Start values and description according to the technet article.

ValueDescription
0Boot (loaded by kernel loader). Components of the driver stack for the boot (startup) volume must be loaded by the kernel loader.
1System (loaded by I/O subsystem). Specifies that the driver is loaded at kernel initialization.
2Automatic (loaded by Service Control Manager). Specifies that the service is loaded or started automatically.
3Manual. Specifies that the service does not start until the user starts it manually, such as by using Device Manager.
4Disabled. Specifies that the service should not be started.