How do I change the snapshots directory in VirtualBox on Windows?

Solution 1:

VirtualBox snapshots reside in the Machine Folder. You should be able to change the default machine folder using the menu option File->Preferences, under the General tab.

Solution 2:

"One thing I would like to add is that you can't change your snapshots directory for a VM in which you currently have snapshots saved."

Not true. First, follow the advice of the first answerer, and change the default machine folder by going to File>>Preferences>>General and changing the path. This only changes the path for subsequent machines you create, not for those you've already got.

Now:

1. Close VirtualBox
2. Move the contents of your Users/YourUserName/VirtualBox VMs folder to whereever it is you want it.
3. Then the edit Users/YourUserName/.VirtualBox/VirtualBox.xml file
   • /Users/YourUserName/Library/VirtualBox/VirtualBox.xml on OS X
4. Change the paths there to your VMs to wherever you've moved your VM folders.
5. Reboot your machine, and you're good to go - no Snapshot flattening required!

Solution 3:

Procedures to change snapshots folder in VirtualBox:

1 - Shutdown intended virtual machine;

2 - Right click on virtual machine, go to Settings > General > Advanced;

3 - Change Snapshots destination folder. A good value is a subfolder of your virtual machine hard disk folder.

Hope this helps preventing loses as I had suffered.