Update VM - Xp on Win8Pro Host

[Heinzi]

Hello!

This might sound stupid question-i just cannot find a satisfiing answer in the manual:
if i update a working VM,is there anything to consider?

Is there something like a " back to as it was " or backup option or is everthing going smoothly?

( VM 4.2.4 on Win 8.0 Host )

Thank you,


Steve

[socratis]

There are three ways that I know of:

1. Create a snapshot. You can revert to that snapshot if something goes bad. Some people do not suggest them (actually they suggest against them), but it is my favorite way of testing things and then reverting back to a well known state.
2. Clone the VM. Right-click on the VM and select the Clone option. If something goes wrong, you will have a working twin.
3. Back up your VM to another location. Be sure to back up both your VM folder and your VirtualBox preferences (there is an entry in the manual about its location).

[noteirak]

Some people do not suggest them (actually they suggest against them), but it is my favorite way of testing things and then reverting back to a well known state.

I think it's worth precising that they suggest against them in the long run. Taking a snapshot to try an upgrade and then remove it once you are done a very valid way of doing things.
Install your VM, take a snapshot, then run on the snapshot for months is what the "against" is about.

Clone the VM. Right-click on the VM and select the Clone option. If something goes wrong, you will have a working twin.

I must add something here : cloning does not give you an exact twin. It gives you a VM where the data is the same but where all the system identifiers have changed.
This can mean Windows will need to be re-activated or that Linux will not bood because the disk ID changed.

Doing a copy of the VM folder and Virtualbox config file is the best way to keep it proper.

[Heinzi]

Thank you!

I'll try that.

I assume in case something goes wrong i just have to copy the folders back ?!


Steve

[noteirak]

Correct.