---
title: "Back up VMware virtual machines"
description: "Use a backup job that talks to vSphere, writes changed blocks elsewhere, and can register the virtual machine on a recovery host."
url: https://howtobackupvm.com/en/blog/backup-vmware-vms/
---

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# Back up VMware virtual machines

Use a backup job that talks to vSphere, writes changed blocks elsewhere, and can register the virtual machine on a recovery host.

Published 2026-02-03· HowToBackupVM editors

Changed-block tracking lets a job copy only what changed since the last run. Enable it on the virtual machines you protect, and check that the backup product still falls back to a full read if tracking resets after a storage vMotion.

Exclude temporary disks and ISO mounts from the job, but include every disk the guest needs to boot. Store the copy on a datastore or object store that is not the production VMFS volume.

Record the vCenter name, the folder, and the network port group the restore will use. A backup that cannot be registered on an isolated host is not finished.

## Questions

On storage that does not share the production datastore, rack power, or backup admin password.

A boot of the restored guest on an isolated network, plus a recent application record.

Daily for two to four weeks, weekly for a few months, and monthly for the period your contract names.

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