How to Clone a Virtual Machine in VMware Workstation

Edited 2 weeks ago by ExtremeHow Editorial Team

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VMware Workstation is a powerful application that allows users to run multiple operating systems on a single physical machine. One of its many features is the ability to clone virtual machines (VMs). Cloning a VM can be particularly useful when you want to create an exact replica of a VM for backups, test environments, or to share with others without starting from scratch. In this lesson, we'll explore the steps involved in cloning a virtual machine within VMware Workstation and cover the key considerations you should keep in mind.

Understanding cloning

First, let's understand what cloning means in a virtual environment. VM cloning involves creating an exact copy of an existing virtual machine. The cloned machine has the same OS, configuration, applications, and other settings as the original machine. The primary advantage of cloning is that it reduces the time and effort required to set up a new VM with the same specifications as the existing machine.

Types of clones

VMware Workstation offers two types of cloning: full clone and linked clone. Each serves different needs and has its own advantages and disadvantages.

Full clone

A full clone is a complete and standalone copy of the original VM. This means that the clone does not share any virtual disks with the parent and as such, it is self-sufficient. Full clones take longer to create and consume more disk space because they copy every bit of the original machine.

Full clone use cases:

1. When you need a completely independent VM that is not affected by changes made to the original VM.
2. If you want to move the VM to another machine or standalone host.
3. For distributed self-contained VMs where snapshots and link limitations are not appropriate.

Linked clones

On the other hand, linked clone is a type of clone that shares virtual disks with the parent VM in a continuous manner. This approach saves disk space and time as the clone only captures the differences between the parent and the cloned VM.

Linked clone use cases:

1. Ideal for testing changes without affecting the original VM.
2. Rapid deployment of multiple test environments.
3. Best in scenarios where disk space is limited.

Prerequisites for cloning a virtual machine

Before cloning a virtual machine, you must keep in mind a few prerequisites and preparations:

• Your VMware Workstation must be properly installed and licensed.
• Make sure the original VM is in the off state, as VMware Workstation requires the VM to be shut down before starting the clone.
• It is advisable to take a snapshot of the VM as a backup before cloning. This way, you can restore the VM to its original state if any problem occurs.
• Have enough disk space available to accommodate the clone, especially if you are aiming for a full clone.

Steps to clone a virtual machine

Now, with the prerequisites in mind, let's explore the steps to cloning both types of VMs.

Cloning of complete clones

1. Open VMware Workstation: Launch VMware Workstation on your computer.
2. Select the VM: In the Library pane, click the virtual machine you want to clone.
3. Make sure the VM is turned off: Make sure the selected VM is turned off. If it isn't, right-click and select "Power Off."
4. Open the VM menu: With the VM selected, click "VM" in the top menu.
5. Select Manage: From the dropdown list, move your pointer over "Manage" and another menu will appear.
6. Select Clone: In the Manage menu, click "Clone." This will start the Clone Wizard.
7. Clone Wizard Introduction: In the dialog, click "Next" to begin the process.
8. Select the clone source: You will have the option to clone either the "Current state in the virtual machine" or "Existing snapshot." Select the state you want and click "Next."
9. Name the clone: Enter a name for the cloned VM. It is advisable to give it a meaningful name that differentiates it from the parent.
10. Select location: Use the "Browse" button to choose the location where you want to create and store the clone.
11. Select the clone type: choose "Create a full clone" and click "Next".
12. Finalize the clone: Review the settings and initiate the clone by clicking "Finish." The cloning process will begin, and the time taken will depend on the size and configuration of the original VM.

Cloning of linked clones

1. Open VMware Workstation: Open VMware Workstation from your desktop or Start menu.
2. Select the VM: In the Library pane, identify and select the VM you want to clone.
3. Make sure the VM is turned off: Make sure the VM is in the off state. If not, turn it off by right-clicking and selecting "Power Off."
4. Open the VM menu: Click "VM" from the toolbar at the top.
5. Select Manage: Bring up the Manage dropdown by hovering over the "Manage" option.
6. Select Clone: Click "Clone" from the management options to launch the clone wizard.
7. Clone Wizard Introduction: In the Clone Wizard, click “Next” to begin the process.
8. Select the clone source: Choose whether to clone the "Current state in the virtual machine" or use an "Existing snapshot". After making the selection, click "Next".
9. Name the clone: Provide a unique name for your linked clone to avoid confusion.
10. Select location: Use the "Browse" button to select the storage location for the linked clone.
11. Select the clone type: choose "Create linked clone" and click "Next".
12. Finalize the clone: Review the selected configuration and finally, click "Finish" to start the cloning process. Linked cloning is faster and takes up less disk space.

Post-cloning steps

Once the clone is complete, you can take additional steps to optimize the cloned VM:

• Verify functionality: Turn on the cloned VM and make sure it functions as expected.
• Rename and reconfigure: If both the original and cloned VMs will be on the same network, you may want to change the host name or network settings to prevent collisions.
• Install Updates: Check for specific system or application updates for the cloned VM.
• Secure the clone: Implement security measures appropriate for the purpose of the cloned VM and the network conditions.

Considerations and best practices

Here are some additional considerations and best practices you should keep in mind when cloning a VM:

• Licensing: Remember that operating systems such as Windows may require a new license for each instance.
• Performance: Be cautious about running multiple clones simultaneously, as this can impact performance, especially when using linked clones.
• Disk space: Review your storage needs from time to time. If cloning is not managed effectively, it can quickly exhaust the available disk space.

Conclusion

Cloning virtual machines in VMware Workstation is a straightforward process that is of great benefit to system administrators, developers, and testers. It simplifies repetitive tasks and allows for quick setup of required environments. By understanding the differences between full and linked clones, following the preparation steps, and practicing post-cloning tasks, you can maximize the usability and reliability of your virtual machines. Whether you are preparing for extensive testing, distributed environments, or protection against potential failures, VM cloning in VMware Workstation provides an effective solution.

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