Here’s how to merge the source snapshots to the source disk image VDI file.
- If the source VM is running close it.
- From the VirtualBox window select the source VM then click the Snapshots tab.
- If you want to include the current state of the disk in the merge save it as a snapshot by selecting the Current State then executing the Take Snapshot (Ctrl+Shift+S) command.
- Select the most recent snapshot you want to include in the target VM and execute the Discard Snapshot (Ctrl+Shift+D) command. This merges the snapshot file into it’s parent VDI file (snapshot or base disk).
- Repeat the previous step, working your way down the snapshot list until the oldest snapshot has been merged into the base VDI.
The VirtualBox snapshot commands are poorly named, in particular the inconsistent and confusing use of the word Discard:
| Command | Should be named | Applied to | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Discard Snapshot (Ctrl+Shift+D)
|
Merge with Parent
|
Snapshot
|
Merges the snapshot file into the parent snapshot or disk image file and then deletes the now redundant snapshot file.
|
|
Revert to Current Snapshot (Ctrl+Shift+R)
|
Current State
|
Deletes the current state returning the VM state to the most recent snapshot.
|
|
|
Discard Current Snapshot and State (Ctrl+Shift+B)
|
Delete Current Snapshot and State
|
Current State
|
Deletes the current state and the most recent snapshot returning the VM state to that of the penultimate snapshot. Use this command to delete snapshots.
|
