Hello,
How does one change an existing VM so that snapshots and such are moved off the C:? I've got probably 83 GB out of 250 in snapshots alone that I want to move off the system disk. (It's small in size, but it's also solid state...) The VHD itself is on another drive which seems to be working only I don't want to take snapshots on the system disk.
Thank you...
Best regards,
Michael
How to move VirtualBox files off C:
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mwpowellhtx
- Posts: 22
- Joined: 8. May 2012, 00:38
Re: How to move VirtualBox files off C:
To clarify, I change it to Other... in the Advanced options, and click OK. Then I return to the Settings and verify, it's back to C:! WTH?
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Perryg
- Site Moderator
- Posts: 34369
- Joined: 6. Sep 2008, 22:55
- Primary OS: Linux other
- VBox Version: OSE self-compiled
- Guest OSses: *NIX
Re: How to move VirtualBox files off C:
Its a good thing for you that this did not work. Had it you would have lost it all.
First snapshots (differencing disks) are inherently fragile You need to backup the entire chain before you try to change anything like this. Be sure you also backup the VirtualBox.xml as well.
Next we need to know the version of VirtualBox you are using and the version that the guests were created with.
Include the absolute path to all things related to the guest, HDD storage, snapshot storage, & logs.
First snapshots (differencing disks) are inherently fragile You need to backup the entire chain before you try to change anything like this. Be sure you also backup the VirtualBox.xml as well.
Next we need to know the version of VirtualBox you are using and the version that the guests were created with.
Include the absolute path to all things related to the guest, HDD storage, snapshot storage, & logs.
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mwpowellhtx
- Posts: 22
- Joined: 8. May 2012, 00:38
Re: How to move VirtualBox files off C:
Re: it's a good thing, fair enough. Understood these are differencing disks: from a file management perspective, they are guid-named files. How hard is it to administer files?
VirtualBox version: 4.1.18.78361
C: has 32 GB out of a mere 250 GB (it's solid state, FAST, but also VERY SMALL); which is why I want to relocate the VM files.
I've got the VHDs themselves hosted on another drive already as it stands.
Wouldn't mind moving the VM files themselves as well while I'm at it.
Duly noted re: backing them up.
VM support files are being kept in my C:\Users\<credential/> path. I've got the VHD themselves on another drive, D:.
Created with? Man, I don't recall exactly. I've installed 1-2 updates since I created the VMs I think.
VirtualBox version: 4.1.18.78361
C: has 32 GB out of a mere 250 GB (it's solid state, FAST, but also VERY SMALL); which is why I want to relocate the VM files.
I've got the VHDs themselves hosted on another drive already as it stands.
Wouldn't mind moving the VM files themselves as well while I'm at it.
Duly noted re: backing them up.
VM support files are being kept in my C:\Users\<credential/> path. I've got the VHD themselves on another drive, D:.
Created with? Man, I don't recall exactly. I've installed 1-2 updates since I created the VMs I think.
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Perryg
- Site Moderator
- Posts: 34369
- Joined: 6. Sep 2008, 22:55
- Primary OS: Linux other
- VBox Version: OSE self-compiled
- Guest OSses: *NIX
Re: How to move VirtualBox files off C:
Starting with version => 4.0 the file structure changed so as to locate all the guests and their control files in a single folder each. This was done to add portability and logs, snap shots, SAV, and VDI files are stored there. From the sounds of it you did not change the default location of the storage ($home) and selected to install the base VDI in a different location. This changes the portability and complicates the structure some, especially with snap shots.
Look at the VirtualBox.xml and you should see the structure and UUID information for each guest, the look in the guests folder for the control file *.vbox and you should see the storage structure for the snapshots. Normally I don't suggest editing these files but in this case it may be the best. Just make sure to have good backups and be careful. No guests or the VirtualBox program should be running or the edits will not remain.
How hard can it be? Well look at the control information and you will know. It can be very difficult, especially with the long UUID's.
My suggestion since you are going to attempt this is to put it back like is should be. All things related to the guest in its folder. That way should you decide to move the guest it is just as simple and removing (without deleting), moving the guests folder, and then adding it back.
Look at the VirtualBox.xml and you should see the structure and UUID information for each guest, the look in the guests folder for the control file *.vbox and you should see the storage structure for the snapshots. Normally I don't suggest editing these files but in this case it may be the best. Just make sure to have good backups and be careful. No guests or the VirtualBox program should be running or the edits will not remain.
How hard can it be? Well look at the control information and you will know. It can be very difficult, especially with the long UUID's.
My suggestion since you are going to attempt this is to put it back like is should be. All things related to the guest in its folder. That way should you decide to move the guest it is just as simple and removing (without deleting), moving the guests folder, and then adding it back.