How to mount .VHD file as non Administrative User

[Guest dln]

Hello all,

 

I'm running Hyper-V on Server 2008 Enterprise 64-bit edition. I've got a

VBScript that opens up a virtual disk (.vhd file) on the Server 2008 system,

modifies a file stored within the virtual disk, and then unmounts the .VHD

file. This script works providing I "Run as Administrator" - any other

account, regardless of whether it's a member of the local Administrators

group or not, cannot run the script without it erroring out on mounting the

..VHD.

 

Stepping through the script, I've noticed that Windows sees the .VHD and

attempts to add it to the system, and the Driver Software Installation

dialog reports that it was added successfully. However the Driver Software

Installation dialog reads it as an "Unidentified Device" and seems to stop

processing with the message "Searching preconfigured driver folders". The

script reports a "General access denied error (0x80070005)".

 

Given that the script works when I explicitly elevate my permissions, this

strikes me a permissions related issue. I'm wondering if there's some sort

of setting (Group Policy or otherwise) that would allow me to mount the .VHD

file? I've tried adding my user account to the "Load and unload device

drivers" policy but this hasn't made a difference. I should note that

running the script as an administrator is not a good option for us - it will

be called by a service running on the server and this service, for security

reasons, really shouldn't be running under an Administrative account.

 

Thanks.