VM Tips and Tricks?

halasz said:

I am too but that will not work for what the OP wants to do.

Checkpoints are good for one machine going forward and back. It is not at all useful if you want to completely swap your software installed base. You will have terrible problems if you want to install some software on checkpoint A and carry on using it, install completely different software for checkpoint B. And then keep them both going forward.

I very strongly disagree.

I have had no issues in using checkpoints in a Hyper-V virtual machine for instance for this:

• Install Windows XP, install software
• Create a Checkpoint
• Upgrade to Vista
• Install more software
• Create a Checkpoint
• Upgrade to Windows 7
• Install more software
• Create a checkpoint
• Upgrade to Windows 8
• Install more software
• Create a Checkpoint
• Upgrade to Windows 10
• Install more software
• Create a Checkpoint

Now I have one vm, depending on which Checkpoint I apply it's running XP, Vista, Seven, Eight or Ten. Now I can use any of the operating systems, then restore another OS when I want to in a few seconds. Very practical, works without issues. One vm, five operating systems. I have just reinstalled and not yet restored all my virtual machines, can't get a fresh screenshot but this a bit older one shows what I mean:

All I have to remember is to create a new Checkpoint when something is changed. For instance, if I apply the Vista checkpoint and install new software, I need to create a new Checkpoint for Vista before applying another OS Checkpoint.

Kari

halasz said:

Everyone knows checkpoints work. Please look again at the original question..

Yes, I've already done it. I don't get your point, other than that you don't know how the Checkpoints work. OP's question:

GatsbyGlen said:

Question. I'd like to save off the VM in it's initial state. Is it better to just make a copy of the vmcx, vmrs, and vhdx? Or is better to do Export?

The answer: Use checkpoints. When installed and ready to save your vm, create a checkpoint to save the vm in its initial state. You can always restore it, go back to the exact point when the checkpoint was created.

Kari

Post deleted.

halasz said:

Clearly you always like the last word Kari. I know what the OP wants. The Op knows what the OP wants. You obviously don't.

To be clear you can not make 2 or more branches with checkpoints. It is impossible.
If you are confused please PM me but please don't hijack the thread any more. Your tutorials are good but in this case irrelevant.

It never stops amazing me how the people who do not know refuse to accept the fact they really do not know and feel offended when the lack of their knowledge is shown. It's as if it would be more important to not correct the false information than to give the correct information.

Of course you can make two branches of checkpoints. Or three or four or five, as you desire. Here's an example of a vm I am working just now, checking various imaging and cloning scenarios, at the moment two totally different checkpoint branches. I can restore (apply) any checkpoint on any branch when I want to and create new checkpoints on that branch:

halasz said:

Please, just write your tutorials and leave the technical questions to others.

Truly noted. In the future when / if I want to response a thread, I will first send you a PM outlining my possible response and waiting your acceptance before posting it.

Kari

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