How to Back Up Parallels Desktop Virtual Machines

Edited 3 weeks ago by ExtremeHow Editorial Team

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Parallels Desktop is a powerful virtual machine software for Mac users. It allows running multiple operating systems on a single Mac machine. Backing up these virtual machines is important to prevent data loss and ensure smooth operation. Here, we provide a comprehensive guide on how to back up Parallels Desktop virtual machines, so you can protect your valuable data and system configuration.

Understanding the need for virtual machine backups

Backing up virtual machines is important for several reasons. First, it prevents data loss due to hardware failures or accidental deletion. Secondly, backups provide a safety net when you make important system changes or install new software that could potentially disrupt your setup. Finally, having a backup helps with quick recovery if something goes wrong, ensuring business continuity or personal convenience.

Ways to back up Parallels Desktop VMs

Backing up Parallels Desktop virtual machines can be done in several ways, each with its own benefits and considerations. Below we explore the most effective and accessible methods for backing up your virtual machines.

1. Manual backup by copying virtual machine files

The simplest way to backup is to manually copy the virtual machine files to a safe location, such as an external hard drive or cloud storage. Here's how:

1. Shut down the virtual machine to ensure data integrity.
2. Go to the folder where your Parallels virtual machines are stored.
3. Look for files with .pvm extension. These are Parallels Virtual Machines.
4. Copy the entire .pvm file to your chosen backup location.

The benefits of this method include simplicity and direct control over your backup. However, its drawbacks are that it requires manual effort and any omissions (such as forgetting to include essential files) can affect the integrity of the backup.

2. Regular backups with Time Machine

For Mac users, Time Machine may be the backup solution of choice. It is an automated tool that backs up your entire Mac, including Parallels virtual machine files, unless manually excluded.

Here's how to include Parallels Desktop in your Time Machine backup:

1. Open Time Machine preferences from the Mac menu bar.
2. Make sure your backup disk is selected and has enough storage capacity for your needs.
3. Time Machine will automatically include most files. If for some reason, your virtual machine files are excluded, add them manually by removing any exclusions from Time Machine preferences.

Although Time Machine is user-friendly and automates the backup process, its main disadvantage is that restoring individual components of a virtual machine may be less straightforward than with other methods.

3. Schedule backups with third-party backup software

There are many third-party backup solutions designed specifically for virtual environments, each offering different features such as incremental backups, compression, and off-site storage.

Some popular third-party backup programs include Carbon Copy Cloner, SuperDuper!, and Acronis True Image. Here's the general process:

1. Install your chosen backup software and set it up.
2. Choose the option to back up your virtual machine files. Specify your .pvm directory in the backup configuration.
3. Decide on a backup schedule, such as daily or weekly backups, based on the frequency of changes to your virtual machines.
4. Configure the destination, such as an off-site cloud solution or physical external storage.

Third-party solutions usually offer more robust features and detailed insight into backup settings. However, they may require a subscription fee or a one-time purchase cost.

4. Using Parallels Desktop Snapshots

Parallels Desktop provides an internal feature called Snapshots. Snapshots allow you to save the state of a virtual machine at a particular point in time. These can be used in a similar way as backups to restore your virtual machine to an earlier state.

1. When the virtual machine is running, go to the Action menu.
2. Select Take Snapshot to create a snapshot of your current state.
3. Restore snapshots when necessary through the Actions menu by selecting Manage Snapshots.

Snapshots are quick and integrate well with Parallels Desktop, making them ideal for short-term rollbacks. However, snapshots do not replace full backups, as they are stored within the virtual machine and may be lost if the host machine suffers a catastrophic failure.

Best practices for backing up Parallels Desktop VMs

To ensure that your backup strategy is effective, it is important to follow best practices. Here are some tips:

• Schedule backups regularly to minimize loss between data states.
• Maintain multiple backup copies in different locations to protect against disasters.
• Periodically test the backup process by simulating recovery to ensure data integrity.
• Document your backup strategies and configurations to ensure ease of use and consistency.

Conclusion

Backing up your Parallels Desktop virtual machines is an important task that can prevent critical data loss and allow for quick recovery in the event of a failure. With manual backups, Time Machine, third-party tools, and the use of Parallels Snapshots, you have several methods at your disposal. Each offers unique benefits, allowing you to choose the one that best suits your need for security, frequency, and recovery timeframes. With a solid backup strategy, you can enjoy peace of mind knowing that your virtual environments are well protected.

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