How to Take a Snapshot in VirtualBox

In this guide, I will show you the Snapshot feature of Oracle VM VirtualBox software to back up and restore virtual machines.

First of all, let’s say you manage Linux, macOS, or Windows 11 & 10 virtual machines. You can take and restore snapshots on all these systems. This is a vital feature that will help protect your system and streamline your operations.

Taking a Snapshot in VirtualBox

How to Use Snapshots in Virtual Machines on Oracle VM VirtualBox

You should take a system backup before installing a vital program or performing a critical Windows update on a guest operating system you use on VirtualBox. Reverting your system to its previous state after encountering a critical system error is effortlessly accomplished with the backup you created. This seamless process ensures you can restore your system’s functionality without complications.

For this situation, you can use Snapshot, an excellent feature of Oracle virtualization software. This feature is straightforward; therefore, you can compare it to the System Restore service used in Windows operating systems.

Snapshot creates an exact copy of the virtual machine, handling all its virtual settings, disk, and memory state. It freezes the current state of your virtual system. It allows you to roll back quickly to avoid potential future errors.

As with VirtualBox or other virtualization programs, the main logic of using snapshots is to reduce the operating system error rate and to take precautions against possible errors.

Snapshot makes a very fast recovery point. But what if you want a fully separate copy of the same machine? That is where making a full copy of the virtual machine comes in. The goals of these two features are very different. Using both at the right time will make your work much easier.

Snapshot Benefits and Features

Restore: You can quickly undo any wrong changes or configurations you have made by allowing you to revert to the previous state of your virtual machine.
Operational Attempts: Allows you to test in a secure environment when you want to create a new system configuration change. Following this approach, you can text the modifications and quickly return to the initial state if any issues arise.
Batch Work: You can save a particular form of a guest system created for educational purposes and use it for educational or training purposes. For example, in a software development course, you can share the same VM state with all students so they can work together.
Creating Test Environment: Rather than the hassle of setting up a new virtual machine to experiment with novel software, you can preserve the current state and seamlessly revert to it once you’ve completed your software exploration. You can get a clean starting point and use your resources more efficiently in any testing phase you do.

How to Take a New Snapshot

Taking a snapshot backup for your virtual machine is a relatively straightforward process. To create a backup of your specific VM, follow these steps. You can then restore the backup whenever you need to.

Just as vital as backing up your system before a key update or install is adding Guest Additions software, which boosts the speed and link of your guest machine. This is a basic prep step. I always make sure it is current before every big change. This ensures that the drivers for the system I back up are fully matched.

Steps:

Step 1

Open the Oracle VM VirtualBox virtualization software and run the virtual computer on which you want to create a complete system copy.

Running Windows 10 Virtual Machine

Step 2

Regardless of your operating system platform, you can take snapshots of any guest machine. To do this, click Machine / Take Snapshot from the Oracle software tool menu after starting your VM.

Taking a Snapshot of a Virtual Machine

Step 3

Enter a clear description in the Name field for which you will get the full copy of your Windows virtual system. In addition, you can specify what you created a snapshot for or at what stage of the job you are in the Description section. After completing these operations, you can back up the guest machine by clicking the OK button.

Typing the Snapshot Name and Description

Step 4

Immediately upon clicking the OK button, VirtualBox will initiate the backup process, prompting a window to appear on the right-hand side.

Saving the Instantaneous Status of the Virtual System

Step 5

To check the backup you have taken, click the option next to the relevant VM in the virtual machine library and then click Snapshots.

Opening Snapshots

Step 6

In the Snapshots section, you can see the system copy you created and check the date.

Viewing the Status of the Backup

How to Restore a Snapshot

After you complete the steps to take a Snapshot on VirtualBox on your host computer, you can start testing the operability of a program on your system, or you can install essential system updates and analyze the changes that occur. Then, instead of undoing all the changes made by removing it, you can quickly load the backup you created and thus have a clean system again.

Step 1

To better understand how Snapshot works, create more than one new folder on the desktop location after the backup you have taken.

Creating Multiple New Folders in Windows 10 Desktop Location

Step 2

After all your system changes, turn off your virtual operating system altogether.

Shutting Down the Virtual System

Step 3

When your virtual machine is powered off, navigate to the Snapshots section and locate the backup you desire to restore. Select the desired backup from there and click “Restore” within the tool menu. Do not mark the relevant checkbox in the Question window and click the Restore button.

Restore the Backup

Step 4

After restoring the first clean state of your virtual system, you can run your VM by clicking the Start button.

Running the Guest OS

Step 5

During the booting process of your virtual computer, you will notice that VirtualBox’s main screen prominently displays the successful restoration of your system to its previous state. This visual indication confirms that the restoration process has been completed, reassuring you that your virtual machine has successfully reverted to its last state.

Restoring Virtual Machine ...

Step 6

You can check that all the new folders you created on the desktop in the previous stages are no longer present, and your system is back to the initial clean install stage.

Verifying the Restore Process

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What You Wonder About Virtual Machine Snapshots

Does taking a snapshot lower the performance of the virtual machine?

Yes, but most users do not feel it. Each snapshot writes an extra delta file to the disk. This file grows over time and if the chain gets long, there can be a slowdown.

Let me put it this way: 3-5 snapshots cause no problem. But if you have 20 snapshots piled up, the disk read/write speed drops. You will see this difference especially on mechanical hard disks.

Honestly, the best practice is to delete unneeded snapshots. Clean the old snapshots after you finish a job. VirtualBox will merge them and the performance will return to its old state.

Can I take a snapshot of a running VM or do I need to shut it down first?

You do not need to shut it down. VirtualBox gives you full freedom on this point. You can press the ‘Take Snapshot’ button even while the machine is running.

Think about it: you are doing a Windows update. You cannot shut down the machine in the middle of an update. This is exactly where taking a snapshot while it is running saves the day.

My only warning is this: The snapshot file will be a bit large because the memory state will also be saved. But this is a job that finishes in seconds. Do not be afraid, try it.

What is the difference between a snapshot and a normal backup?

A normal backup copies the whole VM folder. A snapshot only stores the changed data. That is why a snapshot is much faster and takes up little space.

Let me give an example: You have a 50 GB virtual machine. Taking a snapshot takes 5-10 seconds and only uses 100 MB of space. But a full backup for the same VM takes 20 minutes and wants 50 GB of free space.

Let me say this right away: Snapshots are great for short-term recovery. Prefer normal backup for long-term archiving. The smart user who uses both together wins.

What happens when I delete a snapshot I took? Will my data be lost?

It is not lost, only a merge process happens. VirtualBox moves the changes after the snapshot you deleted to the next snapshot or to the main disk.

Think of it like this: You have three snapshots. You deleted the middle one. The system merges the differences from the lower and upper ones. Your files on the desktop and the programs you installed stay exactly as they are.

Do not forget, deleting a snapshot does not cause data loss. You only clean the return points. You can delete unneeded snapshots with peace of mind to gain disk space.

Why does the VirtualBox snapshot restore process sometimes take a long time?

The time depends on the length of the snapshot chain. If you took 10 snapshots one after another, the restore can take 5-10 minutes. In short chains, this job finishes in seconds.

Also, the disk type is important. Restoration is very fast on an NVMe SSD. Be ready to wait on an old HDD. VirtualBox calculates all the differences between the snapshot you chose and the current state.

In short, regular maintenance is a must. Clean old snapshots every week. Keep the chain short. Then the restore job will not make your coffee get cold.

What happens if I do not write a name and description when taking a snapshot?

Nothing happens; it works technically without problems. But a month later you will not remember what that snapshot was taken for. Let me give you my advice: Definitely write a meaningful name.

For example, a name like ‘2025-04-10_Before_Windows_Update’ would be wonderful. Also write ‘Clean state before trial driver setup’ in the description part. This 10-second job saves you hours later.

Otherwise, you find a list that goes ‘Snapshot1’, ‘Snapshot2’. You leave which one to restore to chance. A little order brings great comfort.

Conclusion

As a result, I recommend taking regular snapshots for your Windows virtual machine. Because from time to time, some settings we make in our virtual systems can cause system crashes. To minimize such errors, you can quickly restore the VM to the previous state.

Moreover, it helps protect your essential projects by doing this work continuously and regularly. In short, keep your virtual system safe by effectively backing up your guest machine!

How to Take a Snapshot in VirtualBox on Windows 11 & 10