Parallels Desktop Developer's Guide
ProductsSupportDocumentation
  • Introduction
    • Parallels Desktop in Software Development
    • Optimizing Your Virtual Machine for Software Development
    • Download Pre-Configured Virtual Machines
  • Software Development-specific Functions of Parallels Desktop
    • Optimizing Remote Debugging
    • Generating a Core Dump
    • Using VM Names as DNS Names
    • Starting a Debugging Session
    • Establishing a Serial Connection over TCP
    • Using Rosetta to Run x86-64 Linux Software on Apple Silicon Macs
    • Resolving Guest OS DNS Requests Using etc/hosts
    • Changing the Virtual Screen Resolution on the Fly
    • Nested Virtualization Support
    • Simulating Adverse Network Connectivity Conditions
  • DevOps Service
  • AI Development with Parallels Desktop
    • Installing a Dedicated AI Development Virtual Machine
    • Using the Parallels AI Virtual Machine for Development
  • Integrations and Plugins
    • Integration with Chef/Ohai
    • Integration with Packer
    • Visual Studio Code Extension
    • Integration with Terraform
    • Integration with Vagrant
  • Command-Line Interface Utility
    • Manage Parallels Desktop from CLI
      • Display Parallels Desktop Information
      • License Management
        • Sign into Parallels Account
        • Install a Parallels Desktop License
        • Install/Remove a Deferred License
        • Update a License
        • Deactivate a License
      • Parallels Desktop Preferences
      • User List and Virtual Machine Location
      • Virtual Network Information and Settings
      • USB Devices
      • Report a Problem
      • Shut Down Parallels Desktop
      • Error Handling
    • Manage Virtual Machines from CLI
      • General Virtual Machine Management
        • List Virtual Machines
        • Create a Virtual Machine
        • Delete a Virtual Machine
        • Register/Unregister a Virtual Machine
        • Clone a Virtual Machine
        • Convert a Virtual Machine
        • Move Virtual Machine Files
        • Install Parallels Tools
        • Log into a Virtual Machine
        • Execute a Command in a Virtual Machine
        • Send a Keyboard Event to a Virtual Machine
          • List of Parallels Keyboard Key Codes
        • Query the Virtual Machine Status
        • Power Operations
        • Capture a Screen Area
        • Encrypt/Decrypt a Virtual Machine
        • Archive/Unarchive a Virtual Machine
        • Set Password Protection
      • Virtual Machine Configuration Tasks
        • CPU and Memory Parameters
        • Boot Order Parameters
        • Video Parameters
        • Mouse & Keyboard Parameters
        • Virtual Printer Parameters
        • USB & Bluetooth Parameters
        • Startup & Shutdown Parameters
        • Optimization Parameters
        • Sharing Parameters
        • Coherence Parameters
        • Security Parameters
        • Expiration Date Parameters
        • Device Management
          • Common Options
          • Adding/Modifying a Device
          • Virtual Hard Drive
          • Physical Hard Drive
          • Virtual Optical Drive
          • Physical Optical Drive
          • Virtual Floppy Drive
          • Physical Floppy Drive
          • Virtual Network Adapter
          • Virtual Serial Port
          • Virtual Parallel Port
          • Virtual Sound Card
          • Adding USB Support
        • Shared Folders
        • Advanced Settings
        • Miscellaneous
      • Snapshot Management
        • Taking a Virtual Machine Snapshot
        • Deleting a Snapshot
        • Listing Snapshots
        • Reverting to a Snapshot
      • Miscellaneous
        • Generating a Problem Report
        • Using Guest Debugger
        • Creating a VM Dump
      • Virtual Machine Disk Optimization
      • Error Handling
  • Parallels Open Source Initiatives
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On this page
  1. Command-Line Interface Utility
  2. Manage Virtual Machines from CLI
  3. General Virtual Machine Management

Clone a Virtual Machine

prlctl clone <vm_id | vm_name> --name <new_name>

Clones (makes an exact copy of) a specified virtual machine. The -name <new_name> parameter specifies a name to give to the new virtual machine.

Optional Parameters

--template

Make the new virtual machine a template.

--dst

Set the path to the directory where the virtual machine files will be stored. If omitted, the default location will be used.

--regenerate-src-uuid

Regenerate the virtual machine source ID (the SMBIOS product ID will also be changed).

--linked

Create a linked clone.

-i, --id <snapid>

Create a linked clone based on a snapshot with a given snapid.

--detach-external-hdd <yes | no>

Specifies what to do with hard disks located outside the source virtual machine file. If you specify yes, outside hard disks will be removed from the destination VM. If you specify no, outside hard disks will remain in the new VM. Please note that in either case, the outside hard disks will NOT be copied to the destination.

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Last updated 6 months ago