9May/080
VMWare: HOWTO clone a Windows VM
Care must be taken when cloning a Windows VM to ensure that a new SID is generated in order to properly assign access controls. There are also steps necessary to ensure the new VM has a unique UUID and MAC address. Here is the proper way to clone a Windows VM for hosting under VMWare Server:
- Shut down the source VM
- Copy the VM directory and rename
- Edit the target .vmx file and remove the lines that begin with: "uuid.location", "uuid.bios", "ethernet0.generatedAddress", and "ethernet0.generatedAddressOffset"
- Start the target VM and login as local admin
- Change the IP address
- Run NewSID to replace the existing SID with a generated one. Choose to rename the PC and enter the new name.
- Reboot the target VM
- Join the domain (if applicable)
- You may now boot the source VM