add vm and upload vhd

Author: v-thepet

articles/devtest-labs/devtest-lab-add-vm.md

@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ Follow these steps to create and attach a new managed data disk for a DevTest La
 
    - For **Name**, enter a unique name.
    - For **Disk type**, select a [disk type](/azure/virtual-machines/disks-types) from the dropdown list.
-   - For **Size (GiB)**, enter a size in gigabytes.
+   - For **Size (GiB)**, enter the disk size in gigabytes.
 
 1. Select **OK**.
 
@@ -76,27 +76,27 @@ Follow these steps to detach an attached data disk from a running VM.
 
    :::image type="content" source="./media/devtest-lab-attach-detach-data-disk/devtest-lab-detach-button.png" alt-text="Screenshot of selecting a data disk to detach.":::
 
-1. On the data disk's page, select **Detach**, and respond **OK** to **Are you sure you want to detach it**.
+1. On the data disk's page, select **Detach**, then respond **OK** to **Are you sure you want to detach it**.
 
    :::image type="content" source="./media/devtest-lab-attach-detach-data-disk/devtest-lab-detach-data-disk-2.png" alt-text="Screenshot showing Detach on the Data disk page.":::
 
 The disk detaches, and is available to reattach to this or another VM. 
 
 ### Detach or delete a data disk from the lab page
 
-You can also detach or delete a data disk from the lab's page instead of the VM's page.
+You can also detach or delete a data disk by using the lab's **Overview** page.
 
 1. On the lab **Overview** page in the Azure portal, select **My data disks** under **My Lab** in the left navigation.
 
 1. On the **My data disks** page, either:
 
    - Select the ellipsis (**...**) next to the disk you want to detach, select **Detach** from the context menu, and then select **Yes**.
 
-   - Or, select the disk name, and on the disk's page, select **Detach**, and then select **OK**.
+   - Or, select the disk name, and on the disk's page, select **Detach** and then select **OK**.
 
    :::image type="content" source="./media/devtest-lab-attach-detach-data-disk/devtest-lab-detach-data-disk.png" alt-text="Screenshot of detaching a data disk from the listing's context menu.":::
 
-To delete a detached data disk, select **Delete** from the context menu on the **My data disks** page, or select **Delete** on the disk's page. Deleting a data disk removes it from storage, and you can no longer reattach it.
+To delete a detached data disk, select **Delete** from the context menu on the **My data disks** page, or select **Delete** on the disk's page. Deleting a data disk removes it from storage. You can reattach the disk only by readding it as a new disk.
 
 ## Related content
 

articles/devtest-labs/devtest-lab-attach-detach-data-disk.md

@@ -1,112 +1,88 @@
 ---
-title: Upload a VHD file to lab storage by using Storage Explorer
-description: Walk through the steps to upload a VHD file to a DevTest Labs lab storage account by using Azure Storage Explorer.
+title: Upload a VHD file to a lab by using Storage Explorer
+description: Walk through the steps to upload a virtual hard disk (VHD) file to a DevTest Labs lab storage account by using Azure Storage Explorer.
 ms.topic: how-to
 ms.author: rosemalcolm
 author: RoseHJM
-ms.date: 09/30/2023
+ms.date: 03/17/2025
 ms.custom: UpdateFrequency2
+
+#customer intent: As a lab user, I want to learn how to upload a VHD to a lab storage account so I can use the VHD to create a custom image and VMs.
 ---
 
-# Upload a VHD file to a lab storage account by using Storage Explorer
+# Upload a VHD file to a lab by using Storage Explorer
 
 [!INCLUDE [devtest-lab-upload-vhd-selector](../../includes/devtest-lab-upload-vhd-selector.md)]
 
-In this article, learn how to use [Azure Storage Explorer](../vs-azure-tools-storage-manage-with-storage-explorer.md) to upload a VHD file to a lab storage account in Azure DevTest Labs. After you upload your VHD file, you can create a custom image from the uploaded VHD file and use the image to provision a virtual machine.
-
-For more information about disks and VHDs in Azure, see [Introduction to managed disks](/azure/virtual-machines/managed-disks-overview).
+In this article, you learn how to use Azure Storage Explorer to upload a virtual hard disk (VHD) file to a lab storage account in Azure DevTest Labs. Storage Explorer is a standalone app that runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux. After you upload your VHD file to your lab, you can create a custom image from the uploaded file and use the image to create lab virtual machines (VMs).
 
-Storage Explorer supports several connection options. This article describes how to connect to a storage account that's associated with your Azure subscription. For information about other Storage Explorer connection options, see [Get started with Storage Explorer](../vs-azure-tools-storage-manage-with-storage-explorer.md).
+Storage Explorer supports several connection options. This article describes how to connect to a storage account that's associated with your Azure subscription. For information about other Storage Explorer connection options, see [Get started with Storage Explorer](/azure/vs-azure-tools-storage-manage-with-storage-explorer).
 
 ## Prerequisites
 
-- Download and install the [latest version of Storage Explorer](https://www.storageexplorer.com).
-
-To upload a VHD file to a lab storage account by using Storage Explorer, first, get the lab storage account name via the Azure portal. Then, use Storage Explorer to upload the file.
-
-## Get the lab storage account name
-
-To get the name of the lab storage account:
-
-1. Sign in to the [Azure portal](https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/p/?LinkID=525040).
-
-1. Select **All resources**, and then select your lab.  
-
-1. In the lab menu under **Settings**, select **Configuration and policies**.
-
-1. In **Activity log**, in the resource menu under **Virtual machine bases**, select **Custom images**.
+- Write access to a lab in DevTest Labs.
+- A VHD or VHDX virtual hard disk file to upload.
+- The [latest version of Storage Explorer](https://www.storageexplorer.com) installed.
 
-1. In **Custom images**, select **Add**.
+## Upload a VHD file to a lab
 
-1. In **Custom image**, under **VHD**, select the **Upload an image using PowerShell** link.
+To upload a VHD file to a lab storage account by using Storage Explorer, first get the lab storage account name by using the Azure portal. Then use Storage Explorer to upload the VHD file to the storage account.
 
-    :::image type="content" source="media/devtest-lab-upload-vhd-using-storage-explorer/upload-image-powershell.png" alt-text="Screenshot that shows settings to upload a VHD by using PowerShell on the Custom image pane.":::
+### Get the lab storage account name
 
-1. In **Upload an image using PowerShell**, scroll right to see a call to the Add-AzureRmVhd cmdlet.
-
-    The `-Destination` parameter contains the URI for a blob container in the following format:
-
-    `https://<storageAccountName>.blob.core.windows.net/uploads/...`
-
-    :::image type="content" source="media/devtest-lab-upload-vhd-using-storage-explorer/destination-parameter.png" alt-text="Screenshot that shows an example of a storage account name in the Add VHD box.":::
-
-1. Copy the storage account name to use in the next section.
+To get the name of the lab storage account:
 
-## Upload a VHD file
+1. In the [Azure portal](https://portal.azure.com), go to the **Overview** page for your lab.
+1. Select **Configuration and policies** under **Settings** in the left navigation.
+1. Select **Virtual machine bases** > **Custom images** from the left navigation on the **Activity log** page.
+1. On the **Custom images** page, select **Add**.
+1. On the **Custom image** page, select the **Upload a VHD using PowerShell** link under **VHD**.
 
-To upload a VHD file by using Storage Explorer:
+   :::image type="content" source="media/devtest-lab-upload-vhd-using-storage-explorer/upload-image-powershell.png" alt-text="Screenshot that shows the link to upload a VHD by using PowerShell.":::
 
-1. When you open Storage Explorer, the Explorer pane shows all the Azure subscriptions you're signed in to.
+1. On the **Upload an image using PowerShell** page, scroll right to see the call to the `Add-AzureRmVhd` cmdlet. The `-Destination` parameter contains the URI for the blob container in the format `https://<storageAccountName>.blob.core.windows.net...`.
 
-   If you need to add a different account, select the **Account Management** icon. In **Account Management**, select **Add an account**.
+   :::image type="content" source="media/devtest-lab-upload-vhd-using-storage-explorer/destination-parameter.png" alt-text="Screenshot that shows an example of a storage account name in the Add VHD box.":::
 
-   :::image type="content" source="media/devtest-lab-upload-vhd-using-storage-explorer/add-account-link.png" alt-text="Screenshot that shows Add an account in the Account Management pane.":::
+1. Note the storage account name to use in the next section.
 
-   Follow the prompts to sign in with the Microsoft account associated with your Azure subscription.
+### Upload the VHD file
 
-1. After you sign in, the Explorer pane shows the Azure subscriptions that are associated with your account. Select the dropdown arrow next to the Azure subscription you want to use. The left pane shows the storage accounts that are associated with the selected Azure subscription.
+When you open Storage Explorer, the Explorer pane shows all the Azure subscriptions you have access to. If you need to add a different account, select the **Account Management** icon, and then select **Add an account**.
 
-   :::image type="content" source="media/devtest-lab-upload-vhd-using-storage-explorer/storage-accounts-list.png" alt-text="Screenshot that shows the storage accounts for a selected Azure subscription.":::
-  
-1. Select the dropdown arrow next to the lab storage account name you saved earlier.
+:::image type="content" source="media/devtest-lab-upload-vhd-using-storage-explorer/add-account-link.png" alt-text="Screenshot that shows Add an account in the Account Management pane.":::
 
-1. Expand **Blob Containers**, and then select **uploads**.
+1. Follow the prompts to sign in with the Microsoft account associated with the Azure subscription that has your lab.
+1. After you sign in, select the dropdown arrow next to the Azure subscription you want to use.
+1. The left pane shows the storage accounts associated with the selected Azure subscription. If you don't see your storage account listed, select **Refresh all**.
+1. Select the dropdown arrow next to the lab storage account name you saved earlier, expand **Blob Containers**, and then select **uploads**.
 
    :::image type="content" source="media/devtest-lab-upload-vhd-using-storage-explorer/upload-dir.png" alt-text="Screenshot that shows the expanded Blob Containers node with the uploads directory.":::
 
 1. In the Storage Explorer right pane, on the blob editor toolbar, select **Upload**, and then select **Upload Files**.
 
    :::image type="content" source="media/devtest-lab-upload-vhd-using-storage-explorer/upload-button.png" alt-text="Screenshot that shows the Upload button and Upload Files.":::
 
-1. In the **Upload Files** dialog:
+1. On the **Upload Files** screen, select **...** next to **Selected files**, browse to and select the VHD file on your computer, and then select **Open**.
+1. For **Blob type**, select **Page Blob**.
+1. Select **Upload**.
 
-    1. Select **...** next to **Selected files**. Go to the VHD file on your computer, select the file, and then select **Open**.
+:::image type="content" source="media/devtest-lab-upload-vhd-using-storage-explorer/upload-file.png" alt-text="Screenshot that shows the Upload Files dialog box.":::
 
-    1. For **Blob type**, select **Page Blob**.
-
-    1. Select **Upload**.
-
-   :::image type="content" source="media/devtest-lab-upload-vhd-using-storage-explorer/upload-file.png" alt-text="Screenshot that shows the Upload Files dialog box.":::
-
-1. Check the **Activities** pane at the bottom of Storage Explorer to see the upload status. Uploading the VHD file might take a long time, depending on the size of the VHD file and your connection speed.
+1. Track the upload status in the **Activities** pane at the bottom of Storage Explorer. Uploading the VHD file might take a long time, depending on the size of the VHD file and your connection speed.
 
    :::image type="content" source="media/devtest-lab-upload-vhd-using-storage-explorer/upload-status.png" alt-text="Screenshot that shows the Activities pane with upload status.":::
 
+After you upload the VHD file, you can see it in your lab storage account in the Azure portal. 
+
+1. Open your lab storage account by searching for and selecting it in the Azure Search bar, or by selecting it from **Storage accounts**.
+1. On the storage account's **Overview** page, select **Data storage** > **Containers** from the left navigation.
+1. On the **Containers** page, open the **Uploads** folder to see the uploaded VHD file along with any other uploads to the storage account.
 
-## Automate uploading VHD files
-To automate uploading VHD files to create custom images, use [Azure Storage Explorer](../vs-azure-tools-storage-manage-with-storage-explorer.md). Storage Explorer is a standalone app that runs on Windows, OS X, and Linux.
-      
-To find the destination storage account that's associated with your lab:
-          
-1.	Sign in to the [Azure portal](https://portal.azure.com).
-2.	On the left menu, select **Resource Groups**.
-3.	Find and select the resource group that's associated with your lab.
-4.	Under **Overview**, select one of the storage accounts.
-5.	Select **Blobs**.
-6.	Look for uploads in the list. If none exists, return to step 4 and try another storage account.
-7.	Use the **URL** as the destination for your VHDs.
+   :::image type="content" source="media/devtest-lab-upload-vhd-using-storage-explorer/uploads.png" alt-text="Screenshot that shows the uploaded VHD file in the Azure storage account.":::
 
-## Next steps
+## Related content
 
+- For more information about VHDs and managed disks in Azure, see [Introduction to managed disks](/azure/virtual-machines/managed-disks-overview).
 - Learn how to [create a custom image in Azure DevTest Labs from a VHD file by using the Azure portal](devtest-lab-create-template.md).
 - Learn how to [create a custom image in Azure DevTest Labs from a VHD file using PowerShell](devtest-lab-create-custom-image-from-vhd-using-powershell.md).