# Backup Settings

On the **Backup** tab of virtual machine configuration, you can automate saving the virtual machine snapshots and choose whether the virtual machine is backed up with Time Machine.

To open these settings, choose **Actions** > **Configure**, then click **Backup**.

<figure><img src="https://4047593329-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FNgaOYFJddKmopmi2cfn5%2Fuploads%2F9miEz2FrQC50TBwlTSbd%2FScreenshot%202024-01-20%20at%2001.19.03.png?alt=media&#x26;token=febb4ca5-0dcb-419c-85f3-d4ee0dd5a2d6" alt="" width="549"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

<table><thead><tr><th width="209">Option</th><th>Description</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>SmartGuard</strong></td><td>If you want to create virtual machine snapshots automatically, select <strong>SmartGuard</strong> > <strong>Details</strong> and <a href="../../advanced-topics/working-with-virtual-machines/saving-snapshots-of-a-virtual-machine">specify the details</a>: how often snapshots are made, how many snapshots are stored, and whether you want to be notified before a new snapshot is created.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Time Machine Preferences</strong></td><td><p>By default, Time Machine automatically backs up your virtual machine together with macOS files.<br></p><p>To exclude the virtual machine from Time Machine backups, open the Time Machine preferences and add your virtual machine to the exclusion list.<br></p><p>If you later need to back up your virtual machine again, open the Time Machine preferences and remove the virtual machine from the exclusion list.</p></td></tr></tbody></table>