How to Clone Virtual Machine in VMware, Hyper-V, KVM?

Cloning virtual machine means having another VM which has the same configuration, applications, and data as the source VM. The cloned VM can work on the same host or another host.

There are some benefits of VM clone. You might need the configuration, applications, or data on a VM. Migrating partial data, configuring new VM, or installing OS requires complicated procedures and takes a long time. Cloning VM will help save a lot of time. After that, you just need to modify the cloned VM slightly.

How to clone virtual machine in VMware?

VMware vSphere is the most popular server virtualization solution for companies. It’s famous for its powerful performance and simple management. One of its features is helping directly clone VM. To find the option, you need vSphere client.

1. Log in to vSphere client, select VMs and Templates > locate the VM you would like to clone > right-click the VM > select Clone > select Clone to Virtual Machine

2. The virtual machine clone wizard will appear. Give a name to the cloned VM > select a location for it > click Next

3. Select storage for the cloned VM > click Next

4. Check Power on virtual machine after creation > click Next

5. Review the summary of the job > click Finish

Virtual machine clone wizard can be also opened when you select Clone an existing virtual machine as Creation Type in New Virtual Machine Wizard.

Of course, you can export ESXi VM to OVF template and then import it to a host any time you want to clone VM, too.

How to clone Hyper-V virtual machine?

Hyper-V is another mainstream server virtualization solution. It can be easily enabled on Windows operating systems. To clone Hyper-V VM directly, you need Windows Admin Center. Just download it from the page of Microsoft. By the way, Hyper-V also provides Hyper-V Replica to let you regularly replicate Hyper-V virtual machine.

1. In Windows Admin Center, select Virtual Machine

2. Locate the VM you would like to clone > select it

3. Click Mange on the top > select Clone

4. Give a name to the cloned VM > select where would you like to let the clone VM work on

After it says Successfully cloned virtual machine, you can check whether the cloned VM is working on the target host.

You must have noticed that it recommends you to check I have already run sysprep on my VM. This will remove specific information from the Windows image, including the VM's security identifier (SID).

The default directory of Sysprep is C:WindowsSystem32sysprep. Run it and select Enter System Out-of-Box Experience (OOBE) in System Cleanup Action, check Generalize, and select Shutdown in Shutdown Options.

After that, you can export this Hyper-V VM as a template for later clone.

How to clone KVM virtual machine?

You can use virt-clone, a command line tool, to clone KVM virtual machine.

1. Power off the KVM virtual machine

2. Type the command below:

# virt-clone --connect qemu:///system --original vmname --name newvmname --file /var/lib/libvirt/images/newdemo.img --file /var/lib/libvirt/images/newdata.img

P.S. If you would like to backup KVM virtual machine, you can use virsh commands.

How to clone virtual machine with Vinchin Backup & Recovery?

You don’t have to learn the methods of cloning different kinds of VMs because Vinchin Backup & Recovery will help you clone VMs on 12 virtualization platforms including VMware vSphere, Hyper-V, Citrix XenServer, Red Hat Virtualization, Oracle Linux KVM, etc.

VMs will be backed up agentlessly, and then you can clone the VM to another host. If you are using heterogeneous virtualization, you can also clone the VM to the other platform.

A user-friendly web console will assist you in easily creating the backup job:

1. Select the VM

2. Select the backup destination

3. Select the backup strategies

4. Submit the job

Vinchin Instant Recovery technology can recover a VM from its backup in 15 seconds. You can also use it to clone and use a VM immediately.

Vinchin Backup & Recovery has been selected by thousands of companies and you can also start a 60-day full-featured free trial here. Also, contact us, leave your requirements, and then you will receive your tailored solution. We have established partnerships with reputable companies all over the world so if you would like to do a local business, you can select a local partner here.

Sum Up

VM clone is a must-have skill for IT administrators. It will help quickly create a new VM without configuring it, skipping operating system installation and application installation, saving much time.

In this post, you have learned the way to clone VMware, Hyper-V, and KVM virtual machine with management tools or command. Also, you can have an all-in-one solution to clone many kinds virtual machines with Vinchin Backup & Recovery. Don’t miss the free trial.