Where Is the Windows Dev Drive VHDX File Stored?
Where Windows Dev Drive VHDX files live by default, and how to track down a lost Dev Drive file on Windows 11.
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A Dev Drive is a ReFS volume backed by a VHDX file. The Settings wizard asks where to put that file at creation time. The default location is the root of C, which surprises people who expected a project folder.
Dev Home offers a profile based alternative under DevDrives. Either way the mounted letter is where daily work happens. The file path only matters for backup, moves and troubleshooting when the volume fails to attach. Listing virtual disks prints the stored path even when the drive letter is offline, which covers the lost file case.
Where Windows Dev Drive stores this, by platform
C:\devdrive.vhdx
Settings wizard default for new VHD backed Dev Drives. Dev Home instead suggests a DevDrives folder in the profile. The mounted ReFS letter is user chosen. Run list vdisk in diskpart to print the stored file path.
Frequently asked questions
I forgot where I saved my Dev Drive VHDX. How do I find it?
You picked it when you created the drive, with C drive root as the Settings default. Open diskpart and run list vdisk to print the full file path. Dev Home setups instead default to a DevDrives folder in your profile.
Is a Dev Drive a folder or a drive letter?
The VHDX is the file on disk and the letter is the mounted ReFS volume you work in. Keep repos and build caches on the letter. Keep tools and installers off it, since Microsoft targets the volume for performance, not for programs.
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