How to Take Snapshot in VMware Workstation 15/14/12

In this article, we will examine how to use Snapshot in VMware to backup virtual machines that you install on your computer with the virtualization program.

How to Take Snapshot in VM Workstation/Player 15/14/12

One of the great features of the VM Workstation virtualization program is Snapshot. With snap backup, you can quickly troubleshoot an error in the operating system installed on the virtual machine.

You can compare this feature to System Restore in the Windows system. You can get a Snapshot instead of creating a restore point for a virtual machine installed on VMware 12/14.

You can return to the point where you created after all the actions you would make on a virtual machine that created a restore point (for example: Office installation, etc.). As a result, the Snapshot feature is the “System Restore” process of the VM Workstation virtualization program.

The latest version of the VMware Workstation virtualization program is 15.1.0 Pro. If you have not previously installed VMware 15, you can click here to browse our related article.

How to Create Snapshot for Virtual Machine

After briefly talking about what is Snapshot, follow these steps to make instant backups on a running virtual machine.

   Step 1

For example, you installed a clean Windows 7 and then installed the VM Tools. It is recommended that you perform a clean backup by taking a snapshot of your Windows 7 machine. Because, if errors occur on the system installed on the virtual machine, you can easily return to the first clean installation instead of installing the operating system.

First, create a Test.txt file on a Windows 7 virtual machine to better understand the use of snap backup on VMware.

   Step 2

Now, click VM / Snapshot / Snapshot Manager to create a snap backup for the virtual machine.

   Step 3

After opening Snapshot Manager window, click the Take Snapshot button.

   Step 4

Type a name and description for the snap backup you want to create, and then click the Take Snapshot button.

   Step 5

Creating a clean backup of the virtual machine on VMware …

   Step 6

You have taken a snap backup of the virtual machine by following the steps above. You then made many changes to the system or encountered system errors. If you want to return to the first clean installation, you can restore the snapshot of the machine again.

For example, copy and paste the Test.txt file on the Windows 7 virtual machine desktop as in the following image.

   Step 7

Now, to restore the Windows 7 virtual machine to the previous state, open Snapshot Manager and select the backup you created and click Go to. Then click Yes on the warning window.

   Step 8

When the virtual machine is being restored, your system will shut down and restart again.

   Step 9

After the Restore process, you will return to the backup you created on the virtual pc as below.

How to Use Snapshot on VMware Virtual Machine ⇒ Video

The best method to use to back up the virtual machine on VMware is the snapshot feature. To be able to use this feature, you can watch the video below and you can also subscribe to our YouTube channel to support us!

How to Use Snapshot on VM Workstation/Player to Backup a Virtual Machine

After briefly mentioning what is Snapshot in VMware Workstation, follow these steps in order to get snap backup on a virtual machine running on VMware.

   Step 1

If you have not previously installed it, install VMware Workstation on Windows 10. After installing it, open the program and click on a virtual machine that you created earlier.

To get backup of the selected virtual machine, click the on the icon you see in the image below.

   Step 2

When the Take Snapshot window opens, type a name and description for the backup of the virtual machine, and then click Take Snapshot.

   Step 3

After you click the Take Snapshot button, the window will close. Click the Snapshot Manager to check the snap backup you created.

   Step 4

Click on the snap backup you created.

   Step 5

You can check the name and description of snap backup you created in this window. Now click the Close button.

In this management panel, you can take, delete, and restore the backup of the vm.

   Step 6

After checking the snap backup, run the virtual machine by clicking Power on this virtual machine.

   Step 7

To better understand the use of snap backup on VMware, install a program like Speccy when you open the virtual machine.

   Step 8

Now, turn off the virtual machine.

   Step 9

After you close your virtual pc, click Snapshot Manager.

   Step 10

To restore the virtual machine in VMware, select the snap backup you created and click Go To.

   Step 11

You will see the “By restoring this snapshot, the current state will be lost” warning. Do you want to restore “Backup Name“” warning window as you see in the image below. Click the Yes button to start the Restore process.

   Step 12

As soon as you press the Yes button, the window will close. Now run the VM to verify the restore process.

   Step 13

You have successfully completed the steps to take and restore backup on VM Workstation! When you review the image below, you can see that the Speccy program is not installed on the virtual machine.

How to Backup a Virtual Machine in VMware Workstation 14/12 ⇒ Video

You can watch the video below to take a backup on VM Workstation step by step, and you can also subscribe to our YouTube channel to support us…

   Final Word

In this article, we’ve examined step by step how to get snap backup on VM Workstation. Thanks for following us!

   Related Articles

♦ How to Install Windows 10 on VMware
♦ How to Install Windows 7 on VMware
♦ How to Install Windows XP on VMware
♦ How to Configure Virtual Network Editor
♦ How to Install Ubuntu on VMware