> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://platform9.com/kb/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://platform9.com/kb/pmo/how-to/create-qcow2-image-of-a-running-instance.md).

# Create QCOW2 Image of a Running Instance

## Problem

* A running instance (i.e. a Windows or Linux VM) that has been customized or otherwise re-configured needs to be persisted into an image file to capture its current state.

## Environment

* Platform9 Managed OpenStack - v4.0 and Higher

## Procedure

1. Stop the instance from either the UI or CLI.

{% tabs %}
{% tab title="None" %}

```none
$ openstack server stop [instance UUID]
```

{% endtab %}
{% endtabs %}

2. Take a snapshot of the running instance.

{% tabs %}
{% tab title="None" %}

```none
$ openstack server image create --name [snapshot name] [instance UUID]
```

{% endtab %}
{% endtabs %}

3. List the images and identify the UUID of the snapshot using the name given during creation.

{% tabs %}
{% tab title="None" %}

```none
$ openstack image list
```

{% endtab %}
{% endtabs %}

4. Download the snapshot.

{% tabs %}
{% tab title="None" %}

```none
# glance image-download --file [FILE] [snapshot UUID]
```

{% endtab %}
{% endtabs %}

5. Verify the format of the downloaded image.

{% tabs %}
{% tab title="None" %}

```none
# qemu-img info [FILE]
```

{% endtab %}
{% endtabs %}

6. If the image format is not qcow2, convert it by referring to the [OpenStack image conversion guide](https://docs.openstack.org/image-guide/convert-images.html).


---

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