Best image format to export a VM to an image?

Apps and Virtualization
,
1

Now that i can backup my VM’s using “Export Disk to Image” (YEA), Truenas offers no less that 6 image formats to save the VM as. The question I have is what is the best image to use given that I want a backup that I can restore at a later date if the VM crashes. Additionally, I also would like to be able to browse the image on a Windows box to get files off of it without doing a full restore. Right now I am thinking VMDK. Thoughts plus or minus?

QCOW2

QED

RAW

VDI

VHDX

VMDK

2

It depends. For example, QCOW2 is used by libvirt/qemu by default. I personally would go with that, so I could import the VM on my desktop PC or a Proxmox server with ease.

1 Like
3

Given that you’re wanting to do this on Windows, VHDX is the appropriate solution, as those can be mounted natively in Disk Management through Actions → Attach VHD. :slight_smile:

3 Likes
4

Thanks.