Create a VM similar to an existing VM

Linux Windows

This document explains how to create a virtual machine (VM) instance that hasproperties similar to an existing VM using the Google Cloud console.

If you have a VM with properties that you want to reuse, then you can create aVM based on it. You can create the VM by using the same properties as thereference VM or by modifying them. This is useful when you need to quicklycreate a VM, such as in the following scenarios:

  • Rapid deployment

  • Scaling

  • Testing

  • Disaster recovery

Important: When creating the VM, the Google Cloud console uses the referenceVM's properties. However, the Google Cloud console doesn't copy any data fromthe reference VM or from any Persistent Disk volumes attached to it.

Create a VM similar to an existing VM

To create a VM with similar properties to an existing VM, do the following:

  1. In the Google Cloud console, go to theVM instances page.

    Go to VM instances

  2. In theName column, click the name of an existing VM which you want touse to create your VM.

    TheVM instance details page opens.

  3. ClickCreate similar.

    The Create similar button in the Google Cloud console.

    TheCreate an instance page opens. By default, the Google Cloud consolespecifies the same properties as the reference VM.

  4. Customize the properties of the VM.

    Note: To view the equivalent Google Cloud CLI, Compute Engine API, or Terraformcode to create the VM, clickEquivalent code.

  5. ClickCreate.

Troubleshoot

If you encounter issues when creating VMs, then seeTroubleshoot creating, updating and deleting VMs.

What's next

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Last updated 2025-12-15 UTC.