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Making Copy of a Virtual Machine

A complete copy of a virtual machine can be created using the Clone Virtual Machine Wizard. A new configuration file and new hard disk drive(s) are made. The clone includes as many hard drives as there are connected to an original machine. By default the Wizard puts new files into a new directory, but you may prefer to store them in an existing one. Copies of virtual hard disks are always placed in the same folder with the copy of the configuration file.

Auxiliary devices of the new virtual machine are connected to the same drives or disk images as the source devices. If source CD/DVD-ROM drive is connected to an .iso CD/DVD disc image file, this connection is restored in the new machine. The same goes for the floppy drive. However output files of serial/parallel ports, if used, are not transferred from the original VM. In the clone, they are started from scratch.

If a network adapter is included in the original configuration, a new MAC address is generated for the new adapter.

A virtual machine to be copied should be opened and meet the following conditions:

To make a clone of a virtual machine:

  1. Open the virtual machine you want to make copy of.
  2. Select Clone VM in the VM menu. The Clone VM Wizard starts. Click Next.

    Clone VM Wizard Welcome

  3. In the next step, Specify new virtual machine name and location, you have to specify a name for the clone and a path for storing its configuration file. The name and path suggested by the wizard are made by adding "Clone of" at the beginning of the original virtual machine name and path. You can modify both of them. Remember that a virtual machine name should be no longer than 50 characters.

    If you select the Open virtual machine in new window automatically option, after the new configuration is created it will be opened in a new Parallels Workstation window. Click Finish to start copying the machine.

    Clone VM Wizard

    If the directory for storing the virtual machine configuration file does not exist, the confirmation for its creation may be asked: "Directory <directory name> does not exist. Do you want to be created automatically?" Click Yes. A new directory will be created.

  4. While the virtual machine is being copied, the Copying in progress screen indicates the current state of the process. If everything is OK, the Wizard informs you that copying has been performed and a new machine is ready. Click Exit to close the Wizard.

    Clone VM Wizard - Copying is completed

    A new instance of Parallels Workstation is opened with the new virtual machine loaded, if you have selected the corresponding option on the Specify new virtual machine name and location screen.