Modifying an Existing Hard Disk Image

The Parallels Image Tool allows you to modify hard disk images in the following ways:

• Increase size of a hard disk image. Both expanding and plain disks can be enlarged.
• Convert a plain hard disk image to the expanding format. A copy of the plain disk in expanding format is made while original disk remains untouched.
• Convert an expanding hard disk image to the plain format. Copy of the expanding disk in plain format is made while original disk remains untouched.
• Defragment an expanding hard disk image.

All modifying operations require that source hard disk image is not in use by a running Virtual Machine.

When converting and defragmenting be sure to select the source hard disk image of a proper format. To check disk format, open any Virtual Machine configuration that includes this virtual hard disk and look for Disk format field on the Advanced tab of Hard Disk Options in Configuration Editor.

To modify an existing hard disk image:

1. Start the Parallels Image Tool. When starting it for the first time, the Wizard greets you with the Welcome to the Parallels Image Tool screen. Click Next.

   

2. On the Select device type screen select the Hard Disk Drive option and click the Next button to move to the Select operation type screen.

   

3. On the Select operation type wizard screen select the Maintain an existing Hard Disk image option. When you select it, the hard disk image management options appear in the lower part of the screen.

   

4. In the Hard Disk actions group, select what you would like to do with an existing hard disk image. The following options are available:
   • Increase size of Hard Disk image to make a hard disk image larger.
   • Convert plain Hard Disk image to expanding Hard Disk image to create an expanding copy of a plain hard disk image.
   • Convert expanding Hard Disk image to plain Hard Disk image to create a plain copy of an expanding hard disk image.
   • Defragment expanding Hard Disk image to optimize files arrangement on a virtual disk and enhance disk operation speed.

     Click the Next button.

5. On the Specify source and destination screen specify source hard disk image and other information depending on an requested operation, if needed.

   For size increasing specify a new size of the virtual hard disk using the spinner buttons next to the Image Size field. New size value should be greater then the previous one.

   Note. Parallels Image Tool doesn't allow you to decrease image size. If the specified size is less then previous, the following warning is displayed: "The given value of the hard disk size is invalid. Correct value should be within the range from <current disk size + 1MB> to 128000MB".

   

   For both hard disk conversion operations besides the source disk specify a path and a name of the resulting converted image in the Destination field.

   Note. If the format of the source disk does not correspond to the selected operation, a notification is displayed when you select the source disk.

   

   When defragmenting an expanding hard disk specify the source hard disk image only.

   Note. If the format of the source disk does not correspond to the selected operation, a notification is displayed when you select the source disk.

   

   After specifying the input data click Next.

6. Review the settings carefully (operation type, source image file and destination folder, etc.) on the Review processing options screen. If everything is correct, click Start button to start the required process.
7. While the operation is being performed, Execution in progress screen is displayed. After the disk image is created, the Processing is completed screen appears. Close the Wizard by clicking Exit button. The new disk image is ready, and you can connect it to a Virtual Machine in the Configuration Editor. See the Adding New Devices to Virtual Machine to know how to connect to a Virtual Machine a new hard disk image or the Hard Disk Options to replace one of the currently connected hard disks with the new one.

   See also the Hard Disk Images to know concepts of using hard disk images in Parallels Workstation.