Copy VM for backup

[thomasprin]

Hi,

I am sorry, for sure this question is already answered somewhere in the forum but I can't find it.
I am new to VirtualBox.

Host: Mac OS 10.8.4
Guest: Windows 7
VirtualBox: 4.2.16

I have installed Windows 7 and a few softwares that I need. I just would like to make a copy of my VM and to keep it as a backup. After installing the different softwares in Win7, I just copied the folder created on my Host (in this folder I have a "Logs" folder and 3 files, .vbox, .vbox-prev and .vdi) into a hard drive.

I would like to know, if my VM crashs, will it work just to copy my backup in my Host and run it again?

Sorry if my vocabulary is not appropriate...

Thank you for your help.

Thomas

[mpack]

Just to be clear: for backup purposes you should copy the VM folder plus all content to a backup medium - do not pick and choose files.

I would like to know, if my VM crashs, will it work just to copy my backup in my Host and run it again?

Yes, you can just copy your backup folder (with contents) back to its original location on the PC, overwriting anything already there. If the VirtualBox software was undamaged in the mishap then your VM will still be listed and will now run. If the old VM register was lost (damaged) then double-clicking the .vbox file will cause the VM to be registered again.

[thomasprin]

Thank you very much for your help.
All the best,
Thomas