which file type to install my virtual hard disk in while installing a new machine on virtualbox?

I got some options like VHD, VMDK, HDD, and VDI

is there a file type that is most commonly used and is supported by most other virtual disk software?

Solution 1:

VMDK will be supported by VMware, and VHD is used by Microsoft VirtualPC. You can get more information here.

Solution 2:

VDI is the native format so it should be the ideal for virtualbox.

However, other forms allows compatibility with another system such vmware and "virtualpc"

• VDI = Native.
• VMDK = compatiblity with vmware.
• HDD = compatibility with Mac parallels.
• VHD = compatibility with "virtualpc" (and all latest microsoft products).

Windows 7 and windows 2008 r2 is able to mount VHD natively.