What does the PVM file actually contain?

[JonSai]

I am going to be getting a new Macbook Pro (from apple due to warranty hardware failure) and will be using Time Machine to restore my new Mac with the backups from my old. However, I'm not sure what exactly will be transferred/restored with the PVM file from the Time Machine Backup. Does the PVM file contain a full imagine of my current windows parallels? That is to say, if I load the PVM on the new computer will I be able to boot windows parallels just like it was running during my last backup on my old Mac, or will I need to re-download all my windows programs, settings, ect?

Has anyone restored a new Mac using the PVM file? If so, were you able to just load the PVM and everyone was up and running or did you have to go a and redownload and install all your old programs, set up all your network configurations, settings, ect?

Also, does anyone know if there is a process required to de-active/de-licence my old Macbook before I can run parallels on my new one?

Thanks in advance for everyones help and input on this.

 

[Sergei.B43]

Hello JonSai,

When you buy a new Mac, you do not have to install your virtual machine once again - you can just transfer an existing one ('pvm' file). PVM file is a bundle that contains the virtual machine configuration file (PVS), virtual hard disk file
(HDD), and other files.

This article will be helpful for this case: http://kb.parallels.com/en/114118

Regarding your second question:


Please note that one copy of Parallels Desktop for your current user account can be used only on one Mac.

You will just need to do the following:

1. Uninstall Parallels Desktop from your old Mac: http://kb.parallels.com/en/116992
2. Download and install Parallels Desktop 9 via this link: http://www.parallels.com/directdownload/pd9

After that you will be able to use it properly on your new Macbook Pro .

 

[Parallels User]

Hello JonSai,

When you buy a new Mac, you do not have to install your virtual machine once again - you can just transfer an existing one ('pvm' file). PVM file is a bundle that contains the virtual machine configuration file (PVS), virtual hard disk file
(HDD), and other files.

This article will be helpful for this case: http://kb.parallels.com/en/114118

Regarding your second question:


Please note that one copy of Parallels Desktop for your current user account can be used only on one Mac.

You will just need to do the following:

1. Uninstall Parallels Desktop from your old Mac: http://kb.parallels.com/en/116992
2. Download and install Parallels Desktop 9 via this link: http://www.parallels.com/directdownload/pd9

After that you will be able to use it properly on your new Macbook Pro .

This, but, if the VM is Bootcamp based then Windows and all it's programs and data isn't actually in the .pvm. In that special case it's in a separate partition and isn't copied with the .pvm.

However there are utilities that can back up that partition such as Winclone: http://twocanoes.com/winclone/