Clone VMs?

[paulsoaresjr]

Is there any way to clone VMs? My plan was to use the Petri method of creating a "parent" VM and then using that as a base for all others but there doesn't appear to be a way to just create a new virtual disk from the interface.

All I really want to do is create a base XP Pro VM, update it, install my basic apps, and then never use it again except for cloning new VMs from it. Can't seem to accomplish this with Windows Virtual PC....

 

[unawave]

I haven't done this with Virtual PC.

But Microsoft uses this parent / child method with the Windows 7 build in feature of virtual XP.

I have downloaded the fully licensed XP VHD. Whilst starting the "Virtual XP mode" Windows 7 creates a "child" in:
C:\Users\[User-name]\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows Virtual PC\Virtual Computer
I can make a copy of this "child".

In my "Virtual computers" I see a link to my virtual computer. I can make a copy of this link. When I right mouse click to this link I can configure the VHD source: Either I can point to the new "child" (the copy) or even "merge child and parent to a new, single VHD file".

 

[paulsoaresjr]

Thanks for the tip but I don't see a \Virtual Computer folder. I have one called Virtual Machines.... is that what you mean?

 

[unawave]

Thanks for the tip but I don't see a \Virtual Computer folder. I have one called Virtual Machines.... is that what you mean?

This can be. I took the path name from a German installation. Important is that you have two VHD files when you have started the virtual PC once. One is the original VHD file that you have downloaded from Microsoft (parent) in folder "program files". After the first start of your virtual PC it is created a second VHD file in your "users" folder (child).

 

[darkassain]

it sounds like something i did a tutorial on...
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/8581-windows-virtual-pc-create-differencing-disks.html
its like a master vm with different little vm holding the changes...

 

[unawave]

Exact. Sometimes it's named master / slave, sometimes parent / child.

 

[darkassain]

Exact. Sometimes it's named master / slave, sometimes parent / child.

well if you the link shows a tutorial on how you can make it out of a already installed OS vhd...
good luck making it...