To prevent the parent virtual machine for a linked clone from being deleted, you can designate the parent as a template. When template mode is enabled, the virtual machine, and snapshots of the virtual machine, cannot be deleted.

Note: You cannot enable template mode for a remote virtual machine.

Prerequisites

If the parent does not have at least one snapshot, create a snapshot. See Taking Snapshots of Virtual Machines.

Procedure

  1. Select the virtual machine to use as a parent of the linked clone and select VM > Settings.
  2. On the Options tab, select Advanced.
  3. Select Enable Template mode (to be used for cloning) and click OK.