---
title: How to Backup and Restore Virtual Machines (VMs) in Proxmox
description: "In this guide, we will cover how to backup and restore Virtual Machines in Proxmox. ## Prerequisites - You will need a server that has [proxmox installed](https://truehost.com/support/knowledge-base/how-to-create-virtual-machines-in-proxmox/) - You will need to have [created a virtual machine on proxmox](https://truehost.com/support/knowledge-base/how-to-create-virtual-machines-in-proxmox/) ####…"
url: "https://truehost.com/support/knowledge-base/how-to-backup-and-restore-vms-in-proxmox/"
updated: "2024-11-26"
category: Cloud servers in Kenya
---

# How to Backup and Restore Virtual Machines (VMs) in Proxmox

In this guide, we will cover how to backup and restore Virtual Machines in Proxmox.

## Prerequisites

- You will need a server that has [proxmox installed](https://truehost.com/support/knowledge-base/how-to-create-virtual-machines-in-proxmox/)
- You will need to have [created a virtual machine on proxmox](https://truehost.com/support/knowledge-base/how-to-create-virtual-machines-in-proxmox/)

#### **Step 1: Poweroff the VM in Proxmox**

- You will first need to power off the vierual machine before you can take its backup.
- To do that, go to your Proxmox dashboard and then navigate to the VM and right click on it, then click on **Shutdown**.

![](https://truehost.com/support/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/image-603-1024x306.png)

- You will be asked to confirmed to confirm then action. the VM will then shut down.

![](https://truehost.com/support/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/image-604.png)

#### **Step 2: Create Proxmox VM Backup**

- Next will be to create a backup of the VM. Right click on the shut down VM then click on **Backup**.
- Next will be to click on the tab labelled **Backup now**

![](https://truehost.com/support/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/image-612-1024x294.png)

- You will see a pop up asking you to choose your backup location. If you have added a backup location, you will see it there, otherwise you will have an option to choose a local backup
- Note that it is safer to store a backup in a different location, and not on the very server whose backup you are creating. It is recommended that you consider that option.

![](https://truehost.com/support/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/image-606.png)

![](https://truehost.com/support/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/image-613.png)

- For compression option, choose ZSTD option, which might be the pre-selected option, by default.
- Once done, click on Backup, to start the process.

![](https://truehost.com/support/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/image-605.png)

- The backup process will start and will be shown on the task viewer window
- Once the process is complete, you will see a message saying **TASK OK**

![](https://truehost.com/support/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/image-614.png)

- Your backup will be displayed as a compressed file and will be saved in the location that you provided in the earlier step when choosing the backup location.

![](https://truehost.com/support/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/image-615-1024x258.png)

- Since the VM has backed up successfully, you can now remove it, so that you get to restore it.
- To do that, click on the VM icon, then on **More** then click on **Remove**.

![](https://truehost.com/support/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/image-616-1024x282.png)

- You will be asked to provide the VM ID for the VM. Provide it, then click on **Remove**. In our case, the ID is 100

![](https://truehost.com/support/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/image-617.png)

#### **Step 3: Restore Proxmox Virtual Machine**

- Since we have a backup, you can restore the VM to it's original state
- Navigate to the Backup location and click on the Backup file, then click on the **Restore** option that is towards the top of the window.

![](https://truehost.com/support/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/image-618-1024x259.png)

- You will see a pop up dialogue box. Click on **Restore** option to begin the restoration process.

![](https://truehost.com/support/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/image-619.png)

- You will also see a pop up task viewer with the restoration process details. Give it some time to complete the process.
- Upon completion of the process, you will see a message saying **TASK OK**. Close the pop-up.

![](https://truehost.com/support/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/image-620.png)

- You will now see the restored virtual machine on the dashboard.

![](https://truehost.com/support/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/image-621.png)

- Right click on the VM, then click on **Start** to power it on and start using it.

![](https://truehost.com/support/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/image-622.png)

### **Author's Final Word**

The above steps have demonstrated the backup and restore process for your VM on proxmox. As mentioned in the guide, consider having your backup stored on a different server from the server that is being backed up to avoid loosing the live data and the backup, in case something goes wrong.