Azure Clone VM: How to Clone a VM in Azure

Virtual machines are hardware-free computing resources that make it easy to scale your computing resources up or down as needed. Virtual machines make it possible for companies to create development test environments, create cloud applications, and communicate with on-premises data centers. 

If your organization uses Microsoft Azure, you can blend the efficiency of Azure with the cost savings that come with a virtual machine. In this post, we’ll share what a VM is in Azure, how to clone a VM in Azure, and solutions for common obstacles you might encounter both during and after the cloning process, such as missing features and latency. 

Key Takeaways

• While Azure doesn't provide a single "clone" button, you can effectively perform an Azure clone in VM by creating a snapshot of the original OS disk, generating a new managed disk, and deploying a fresh VM from that disk.
• A successful Azure clone in VM enables organizations to replicate exact machine configurations, significantly saving time on manual setup when deploying identical development, test, or production environments at scale.
• When executing an Azure clone in VM, be mindful of potential hurdles like insufficient account permissions, disk-to-volume size mismatches, and ongoing maintenance requirements to ensure performance and avoid deployment errors.

What is a VM in Azure?

Azure virtual machines are computers without hardware that operate within Microsoft Azure. Businesses use VMs in Azure because they are: 

• On-demand
  This means you can use VMs on an as-needed basis when you need more computing power. 
• Scalable
  You only pay for the VMs you need, which can help you better manage licenses and costs. You can always buy more VMs to keep pace with demand or reduce the number of machines to cut costs.
• Flexible
  There’s no physical hardware to buy or manage. You simply use the VM in Azure to gain more control over your computing environment.

Companies often use VMs in Azure as a way to create test environments for development. You can create application code and test it in the VM before sharing it with the world. And, if you have an on-premises data center, your virtual machines can communicate with data centers through a VPN.

You can also use VMs for hosting cloud applications. It’s cheaper to run these applications on a virtual machine because you can scale it up or down as demand for your cloud application changes. You get more control over computing this way, and since there’s no need to buy physical hardware, VMs are easy to set up at scale.

How to clone a VM in Azure

Virtual machines help organizations do more within Microsoft Azure. Once you clone a resource, you can set up a virtual machine with the same configuration. It’s an exact copy of the original machine but operates independently because it has a separate disk. 

Cloning is a great way to quickly add additional VMs to Azure without manually configuring each machine. As long as the first machine is configured correctly, cloning can help you save a lot of time.

While Azure doesn’t offer a magic “clone” button for VMs, you can clone VMs in a few simple steps:

1. Log into Azure and select the VM you want to clone. Go to Disks > Azure VM OS > Create Snapshot. Close the original VM.
2. Name the clone. You can also change other details, but “name” is the only requirement. Click Review + Create. 
3. Next, create a managed disk from the snapshot. In the Source type field, choose “Snapshot.” Select the correct subscription and snapshot information that corresponds to the cloned VM. Click Review + Create. 
4. Now create a new VM using the managed disk you just made. Click “Create VM” and fill in the basic information. Click “Create + Review.” 
5. Restart the original VM. If everything is correct, you should see both the original and the clone.

Common challenges with Azure clone VMs

While Azure clone VMs have their benefits, they do have some challenges that make implementation a challenge. Organizations often face issues such as: 

• Unavailable features
  If you don’t see the “Create VM” button, it might mean you have a mismatch between disk size and your operating system volume. It can also happen if your account doesn’t have permission to create VMs. Ensure you have admin access before cloning VMs in Azure. 
• Operating system errors
  Some users report having issues cloning VMs on Linux systems. 
• Maintenance
  Maintenance is by far the biggest challenge with Azure VMs. Although it isn’t a physical computer, a virtual machine still requires maintenance. You’ll need to properly install and configure the VM, as well as install patches. 
• Location
  If your VM isn’t performing well, the location could be to blame. Try using virtual machines near the location where you’ll use the VM to reduce latency. It’s the best way to increase speed and performance. 
• Size limits
  Microsoft Azure applies size and virtual machine limits. If you aren’t allowed to add more virtual machines, you may need to work with your Microsoft account representative to lift those limits. 

While virtual machines can increase agility and reduce costs, they aren’t without their drawbacks. Managing VMs in Azure can become difficult at scale. Our Argano 4 Microsoft team helps organizations solve issues within Microsoft Azure — as well as Dynamics 365 and Power Platform — to help you get more out of your existing solutions. 

FAQs for Azure clone VMs

Can you clone a virtual machine directly in Microsoft Azure?

No, Azure does not offer a single "clone" button. Instead, you achieve a clone by creating a snapshot of the original VM’s OS disk, using it to create a new managed disk, and then deploying a new virtual machine from that disk.

What is the safest way to clone an Azure VM using snapshots and managed disks?

Stop the source VM first. Create a snapshot of its OS disk, then use that snapshot to create a new managed disk. Finally, create a new VM using this disk as the source. Remember to restart the original VM once the clone is ready.

Why might the “Create VM” option be missing when cloning an Azure VM?

This usually indicates a mismatch between your disk size and the operating system volume. It can also occur if your user account lacks the necessary administrative permissions to create new virtual machines within the Azure subscription.

What should enterprises consider before cloning Azure VMs at scale?

Consider ongoing maintenance, such as patching and configuration. Also, monitor regional latency by choosing locations near users and stay aware of Azure subscription size limits, which may require coordination with Microsoft to expand.

Next steps

Need help better understanding orimplementing Azure clone VMs? Contact us.