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#51
Thanks geeks.
A simple fact is that each and every VM using a child disk saves about 12 GB of storage space, in the video example my parent disk when fully updated was 11.4 GB. That space is no longer needed when setting up new virtual machines.
I have most often at least 8 W10 PRO virtual machines set up, official release and Insider Preview Fast, both in four different languages. All those VMs would use that about 12 GB when fully updated and booted to desktop, before any software would be installed or user data added to profile folders. That's close to 100 GB.
But, creating one parent disk and use it to create all VMs using a child disk, the parent would still be the 12 GB but each child just 2 GB or less. That makes roughly 28 GB, space saved over 70 GB.
In addition, placing the parent on SSD but all child disks on HDD, I have reduced read / write on SSD quite a lot.
The time saving is also an important factor. No need to start from scratch every time you need a new VM. Create a child disk and boot it in seconds to OOBE.
Last but not least, Not all users need multiple languages, but those who need, video also shows how you can have Windows 10 on VM in any language although the parent disk is in another language. In my case, my parent disk is always in UK English, and I use it to create VMs in Finnish, Swedish and German.
Kari
Just one question: would I need to purchase multiple copies of windows for each child vm other than the parent vm?
Every virtual machine requires a valid license, as do any real, physical machine. It is irrelevant if virtual machine is a traditional one or if it is using differencing disks.
When using differencing disks, the parent disk don't have to be activated because it is only used as a base for child disks. The virtual machines using a child disk require activation, a valid license. Of course you can use them for some time without activation, but latest after 30 days you will get "Activate now" watermark on desktop.
Short: each virtual machine requires a valid license and activation, exactly as real physical machines, but can be used some time without activation.
Kari