---
title: "Taking a snapshot"
description: "VMware allows you to take snapshots, so you can save and possibly revert a VM to its previous state."
url: https://docs.us.ovhcloud.com/en/hosted-private-cloud/vmware/take-snapshot
lang: en
---
> For AI agents: the complete documentation index is available at https://docs.us.ovhcloud.com/en/llms.txt, the full documentation bundle is available at https://docs.us.ovhcloud.com/en/llms-full.txt.

# Taking a snapshot

VMware allows you to take snapshots, so you can save and possibly revert a VM to its previous state.

 

## Requirements

- Being an administrative contact of your [VMware on OVHcloud](https://us.ovhcloud.com/hosted-private-cloud/vmware/) infrastructure (to receive login credentials)
- A [user account with access to vSphere](https://docs.us.ovhcloud.com/en/hosted-private-cloud/vmware/introduction-ovhcloud-console.md#exploring-the-pcc-dashboard) (created in the OVHcloud Control Panel)

 

## Instructions

### Take a snapshot

A snapshot allows you to capture a VM state. It provides a layer of protection for your VM before executing changes, allowing you to revert to that state if needed.

In the vSphere interface menu, go to the `Hosts and Clusters` dashboard.

Navigate to your VM, right-click it, choose the `Snapshot` menu, and select `Take Snapshot`.

By default, the snapshot will be named using the current date and time. You can customize the name and add an optional description.

If your VM is running, the snapshot process offers two options:

- Snapshot the virtual machine's memory: This will save the VM RAM state, helping with certain applications that may not have committed changes to disk. It should also make your snapshot crash-resistant, meaning it can be reverted to without powering off the VM.
- Quiesce guest file system (needs VMware Tools installed): This will bring your VM to a state that is backup suitable, e.g., clearing buffers, committing changes to disks, etc.

If your VM is not running, those options are grayed out.

**Note:**

We recommend taking snapshots when your VM is turned off. If that is not possible, use the Quiesce option over the memory snapshot for added security.

Click `Create` when ready.

 

### Manage snapshots

You can take multiple snapshots of a single VM by repeating the process above. Over time, snapshots will consume resources (especially storage) to be maintained, and can possibly affect VM performance. Below are the snapshot management options available.

In the vSphere interface menu, go to the `Hosts and Clusters` dashboard.

Navigate to your VM, right-click it, choose the `Snapshot` menu, and select `Manage Snapshots`.

 

#### Revert to snapshot

Select a snapshot from the list, choose the `Revert` button, and confirm your choice in the pop-up window.

**Note:**

If you only have a single snapshot or wish to revert to the last taken snapshot, you can speed up the process by right-clicking on your VM and choosing `Revert to Latest Snapshot`.

 

#### Delete snapshots

Select a snapshot from the list, choose the `Delete` button, and confirm your choice in the pop-up window.

**Note:**

You can also click `Delete All` in the `Snapshots` tab or by right-clicking on your VM. In the pop-up window, you can choose to delete all or delete snapshots that are older than _n_ days.

 

## Go further

Browse all the [VMware on OVHcloud guides](https://docs.us.ovhcloud.com/en/hosted-private-cloud/vmware/landing-page-vmware.md).

Browse the rest of the [OVHcloud US documentation](https://docs.us.ovhcloud.com/en/index.md) for guides on our other products and services.

Learn more about [VMware on OVHcloud](https://us.ovhcloud.com/hosted-private-cloud/vmware/) on the OVHcloud US website.