> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.parallels.com/landing/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.parallels.com/landing/pdfm-ug/parallels-desktop-for-mac-27-users-guide/advanced-topics/working-with-virtual-machines/archiving-unarchiving-virtual-machines.md).

# Archiving/Unarchiving Virtual Machines

If your host machine is short on storage and you have virtual machines that you seldom use but still want to keep, you may consider archiving them to save space.

### Archiving a Virtual Machine

To archive a virtual machine, do the following:

1. Right-click the Parallels Desktop icon in the Dock and choose **Control Center**.
2. Right-click a virtual machine and select **Archive**.

### Unarchiving a Virtual Machine

Archived virtual machines cannot be launched. To start an archived virtual machine, you need to unarchive it first. Do the following:

1. Right-click the Parallels Desktop icon in the Dock and choose **Control Center**.
2. Right-click an archived virtual machine and select **Start**.
3. In the dialog prompting to unarchive the virtual machine, click **Unarchive**.


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