Automatically mount VHD/VHDX at startup

The problem with VHD/VHDX files is that mounting is lost after a (re)boot. This can be solved by a scheduled task started at system startup.
The proposed script asks the user to enter the task name and select the desired file.
Remak : I don't know if this works with bitlocker encrypted files.

Spoiler

Code:

<# :
@color 3E&powershell -noprofile -exec bypass "$ScriptPath='%~f0';iex((GC('%~f0') -Raw))"&pause&exit/b
#>
#
#   This script must be executed with admin privilege
#
#   Test Administrator privileges
If (-NOT ([Security.Principal.WindowsPrincipal] [Security.Principal.WindowsIdentity]::GetCurrent()).IsInRole([Security.Principal.WindowsBuiltInRole] "Administrator"))
{ 
#   Restart the script to get Administrator privileges and exit
    Start-Process "$ScriptPath" -Verb runAs; exit
}
# Unregister the task if present
$taskname=""
While(!$taskname){$taskname=Read-Host "Enter the name of the task to be created "}
Unregister-ScheduledTask -TaskName $taskname -Confirm:$false -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
[void](Add-Type -AssemblyName System.Windows.Forms)
# Filebrowser dialog object
$FileBrowser = New-Object System.Windows.Forms.OpenFileDialog -Property @{
    Title="Select VHD/VHDX file"   
    InitialDirectory = "MyComputer"     
    Filter = 'VHD\VHDX Files (*.vhd;s*.vhdx)|*.vhd;*.vhdx'     
    Multiselect = $False                         #
}
#
# Create and register the task
If ($FileBrowser.ShowDialog() -eq "Cancel"){exit}
$vhdfile="'$($FileBrowser.filename)'"
$actions = New-ScheduledTaskAction  `
 -Id "Auto-Mount a VHD or VHDX file at system startup" `
 -Execute "powershell.exe" `
 -Argument "-ExecutionPolicy ByPass -NoProfile ""Mount-DiskImage $vhdfile"""
$trigger = New-ScheduledTaskTrigger -AtStartup
$principal = New-ScheduledTaskPrincipal -UserID "NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM" `
    -LogonType ServiceAccount -RunLevel Highest
$settings = New-ScheduledTaskSettingsSet -AllowStartIfOnBatteries -Compatibility WIN8
$task = New-ScheduledTask -Action $actions `
    -Principal $Principal -Trigger $trigger -Settings $settings
Register-ScheduledTask $taskname -InputObject $task

 

If you don't do this, you have to invoke disk manager or diskpart (or call a script) to make the virtual disk available. That's all.

 

I tryed to place a shortcut in the startup folder ("C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup") and also add the .ps file to registry startup path ("HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run"), but no success (I avoid using scheduled tasks).
Two additional remarks :
- The PS script can to modifyied to perform multiple actions in the same task.
- I used Mount-DiskImage instead of Mount-VHD if Hyper V is not active.

 

I run 23H2 22631.3296
I suppose that the problem is related to autorization : mounting a vhdx file requires administrator privileges.