Properly Backup VMware Workstation Virtual Machine [4 Ways]
How Can You Backup VMware Workstation Virtual Machine?
The ultimate goal of backup is to protect important data, whether it's for individual users and small businesses using VMware Workstation or large enterprises using VMware vSphere, neither of which have a built-in backup option.
To back up virtual machines, including VMware Workstation VMs, there are four methods available: backing up the entire virtual machine, backing up individual files and folders, backing up the virtual machine configuration, and using a third-party backup tool. These methods cater to different needs and preferences, allowing users to choose the approach that best suits their requirements.
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☞ Way 1. Manually copying VM disk files is a direct way to back up a VM, as it is essentially a set of files. This can be restored by opening the copied files directly on the workstation.
☞ Way 2. Exporting a virtual machine (VM) to an Open Virtualization Format (OVF) template allows for the exchange of virtual appliances across different products and platforms, making it easier to share and deploy VMs. This file format also compresses data, resulting in faster downloads.
☞ Way 3. Cloning VMs creates multiple identical VMs, with two types: full clone, which takes time, and linked clone, which may be unusable if the parent VM fails.
☞ Way 4. You can perform file-based backup of VMs just like physical machines by installing a backup agent, which also enables P2V and V2V migrations.
The reason why I say "properly" is because I found that some are still improperly using VM snapshots as backups. And this is very dangerous.
VM snapshot vs backup: They cannot replace each other
VM snapshots are used for rolling back to previous states, but they rely on the parent disk and cannot restore a VM on their own, whereas backups are used for disaster recovery and can restore a VM completely.
VM snapshots require large disk space and may bring serious performance penalties, making them not a reliable option.
Exclude snapshots, here leave 4 ways to backup VMware Workstation VMs properly. Next, I will introduce the detailed steps of them respectively.
Way 1: Manually Copy Virtual Machine Disk Files
1. To backup a VM in VMware Workstation, launch the application, move the cursor to the name of the VM you want to backup, and a box will appear showing the folder path where the virtual disk files and configuration files of this system are stored.
2. Go to the folder you want to back up, then copy all files or the whole folder to the destination location where you want to store the backup.
Note: To maintain an up-to-date backup of your Virtual Machine (VM), you should manually copy and save your VM data on a regular basis, ensuring that the backup remains current.
Way 2: Export Virtual Machine to OVF Template
1. To backup a VM in VMware Workstation, launch the application, select the VM you want to backup, and click "File" on the upper bar, then choose "Export to OVF..
2. In the prompt window, select a path where you want to save the OVF template file, then click Save.
3. Wait for the Export process. The more software you installed in this system, the longer it will take.
When the process is completed, three files will be found in the destination location: a manifest file ending with .mf, an OVF file that provides a complete specification of the virtual machine, and a virtual disk file ending with .vmdk.
Way 3: Clone Your Virtual Machine
1. To clone a VM in VMware Workstation, launch the application, select the VM you want to clone, click VM on the upper bar, and select Manage > Clone… to open the Clone Virtual Machine Wizard. Then, click Next in the prompt window.
2. Select to clone from the current state in the virtual machine or from an existing snapshot (powered off only).
If you choose the top option, the workstation will create a snapshot of the original before cloning it.
The second choice will be unselectable if you don't have a usable snapshot.
Click Next.
3. To start, you'll need to designate the clone type. This involves deciding whether to create a linked clone or a full clone. A linked clone is a copy of the original virtual machine that still references the original's disk space, whereas a full clone is an independent copy that has its own disk space.
Note:
● Linked clone: Linked clones rely heavily on their parent virtual machine and shared virtual disks, making them fast and space-efficient to create. However, this comes with a performance cost, as the cloned VM's performance will degrade over time. Additionally, if the parent VM becomes corrupted or the snapshot is lost, the linked clone will also become unusable. Furthermore, if the parent VM is moved, the linked clone will need to be reassigned to the new parent VM location.
● Full clone: Cloning a VM creates a full copy of the original, but a full clone is completely separated from the parent VM, taking longer to clone since it doesn't share virtual disks.
4. Fill in the name and storage path of your clone, then click Finish.
Way 4. Backup Virtual Machine as Physical Machine (Most Flexible)
By installing a backup agent on the guest OS of a workstation virtual machine, you can treat it like a physical machine and backup its entire system, excluding insignificant applications and data to reduce backup size and perform granular recovery when needed.
This method allows for the migration of all data from one virtual or physical machine to another, such as converting VMware to Hyper-V or vice versa, providing a more flexible solution compared to the previous three methods.
To backup VMware Workstation VMs more efficiently, I recommend using Qiling Backup, a professional software that can back up all Windows systems, allowing for more efficient VM backups.
This software allows for centralized management of backups for multiple virtual or physical machines, including Windows PCs, workstations, and servers within a local area network (LAN), from a single central computer. This can significantly enhance efficiency for enterprises.
Here is a 30-day free trial for you:
To properly use Qiling Centralized Disk Master to back up virtual or physical machines of multiple endpoints, follow these steps. This involves configuring the software to manage and back up the machines, which may include setting up a centralized backup server, defining backup policies and schedules, and selecting the machines to be backed up.
For computers with client programs installed manually, you still need to request control over them for further operation.
How to Backup Multiple Virtual or Physical Machines on Qiling Backup
To create a new backup task, click on the Backup tab page and select System Backup, then follow the 2 steps in the prompt window.
Select a location as the destination path, which can be done by clicking the "browse icon" in the window to add a Share or NAS Device as a storage endpoint.
In addition to clicking on Settings, users can also configure various options such as encryption, compression level, splitting, intelligent sector, and VSS within the prompt window.
Clicking on the "Schedule" option allows users to manage the timing and frequency of automatic backups for both virtual and physical machines. This enables users to automate the backup process and ensure that their data is regularly and reliably protected.
Click Scheme, the oldest backup will be automatically deleted once a new one is created, which is space saving.
4. Click Proceed, then choose whether to Only create this task or Create and execute the tasks.
Tasks created will appear on the Tasks page separately. You can edit or restore tasks by clicking Advanced on the upper right of the task.
Summary
To safeguard your critical VM data from loss, it's crucial to back up your VMs regularly and properly.
To backup VMware Workstation VMs, there are four methods available, which are sufficient for most users. However, for VMware vSphere users, especially those in enterprises managing a large number of VMs, these methods may not be enough. The built-in methods can only back up one VM at a time, making them laborious, and a more professional backup software, such as Qiling Backup, may be necessary to efficiently backup VMs.
To enjoy the virtual machine world without worries, always remember to back up your VM data. By doing so, you can rest assured that your virtual machines are protected, and you can focus on exploring the virtual world without any concerns. The four methods I shared earlier can help you achieve this, giving you peace of mind as you navigate the virtual machine landscape.