Q: Time Machine and Parallels Desktop: Best Practices
Hello!
I'm fairly new to Mac OS and I would like to know from other more seasoned Mac users the best practices for backing-up your data via time machine when you also run a virtual machine.
Here's my scenario: I run a windows virtual machine (parallels) so I can use the Autodesk suite of software for school/work. After working in the VM, my Time Machine back-up size is MASSIVE (approx. 250-500GB). Regardless of what I do in the VM, the result has consistently been a very large back-up which can take some time when backing up over wifi. For now, I've set Parallels to NOT back-up via Time Machine and the regular back-ups are much faster (rarely a couple of GBs). So here are the questions I've been asking myself that I haven't been able to find great answers for:
Are the files that I work with/create in the VM being backed-up even though I've excluded Parallels from the Time Machine back-ups?
Is there an optimal setting/configuration within either MacOS or Parallels that would eliminate the issue of massive back-up size?
What is the best practice for data back-up when you run a virtual mahine?
Everyone's advice is greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance.
MacBook Pro with Retina display
Posted on Mar 1, 2014 8:36 AM