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5.2. Managing Snapshots

Before you make changes to your virtual machine, it is good practice to back up all the virtual machine's existing data using snapshots. A snapshot displays a view of the virtual machine's operating system and all its applications at a given point in time, and can be used to restore a virtual machine to its previous state. Snapshots can only be taken when a virtual machine is powered off.
To create a snapshot:
  1. Select the virtual machine you wish to create a snapshot of. Select the Snapshots tab in the details pane. Click New.
    New Snapshot button
    Figure 5.5. New Snapshot button

  2. The Create Snapshot dialog displays. Enter a description for the snapshot and click OK.
    Create a Snapshot
    Figure 5.6. Create a Snapshot

  3. A new snapshot of the virtual machine's operating system and applications is created. It displays in a list on the left side of the Snapshots tab.
To restore a virtual machine from a snapshot:
  1. Click on the virtual machine you wish to restore from a snapshot. Select the Snapshots tab. A list of snapshots displays.
  2. Select the snapshot that you wish to use. The snapshot's details display on the right pane, including a list of installed applications on the virtual machine. Click the Preview button to preview the snapshot.
  3. At this point, you can start the virtual machine and it will run with a "hard" drive that is identical to the snapshot point. After you have checked the snapshot do one of the following:
    • To restore to this point, click Commit. The virtual machine is restored to the state it was in at the time of the snapshot, and erases any subsequent snapshots.
    • To undo the changes, click Undo. The virtual machine is not restored to the state of the snapshot.
To delete a snapshot:
  1. Click on the virtual machine from which you wish to remove a snapshot. Select the Snapshots tab. A list of snapshots displays.
  2. Select the snapshot that you wish to delete and click the Remove button. A dialog prompts you to confirm the snapshot's removal, click OK to continue.

Important

Removing a snapshot does not remove any information from the virtual machine - it simply removes a return-point. However, restoring a virtual machine from a snapshot deletes any content that was written to the virtual machine after the point which the snapshot was taken.