Parallels Desktop | User's Guide

Clone a Virtual Machine

Clone a Virtual Machine

If you need an exact copy of a virtual machine, you can clone it. A clone is a separate virtual machine fully identical to the original one. To make a clone:

1. Start Parallels Desktop.
2. In Control Center, select the virtual machine you want to clone (it must be shut down) and choose File > Clone.
3. Choose where you want to store the clone.

   By default, Parallels Desktop stores clones in the ~/Parallels folder.

4. Click Save to start cloning the virtual machine.

Create a Linked Clone of a Virtual Machine

A linked clone is a virtual machine that shares virtual hard disks with the parent virtual machine. This technology allows multiple virtual machines to use the software installed on the parent virtual machine hard disk. This way, users can save space on the Mac's hard disk. To create a linked clone:

1. Start Parallels Desktop.
2. In Control Center, select the virtual machine you want to clone (it must be shut down) and choose File > New Linked Clone.
3. Choose where you want to store the clone.

   By default, Parallels Desktop stores linked clones in the folder where the original virtual machine is located.

4. Click Save to start cloning the virtual machine.

Unlink a Clone of a Virtual Machine

If you want to transfer a linked clone elsewhere, you first need to convert it to a standalone machine. To do that, go to the Parallels Desktop Control Center, right-click the linked clone, and select the Unlink the Clone option.

This will convert the linked clone into a standalone, unlinked clone of the original machine.