Virtual Machine Files

A virtual machine has at least two files: a configuration file (PVS file) and a hard disk image file (HDD file). It can also have additional files: a file for each additional virtual hard disk and output files for virtual ports. By default, the virtual machines files are stored in the /var/parallels directory on the host.

The list of files related to a virtual machine is given in the table below:

File Name	Description
`.pvm`	A bundle that contains the virtual machine files.
`.pvs`	A virtual machine configuration file. It defines the hardware and resources configuration of the virtual machine. The configuration file is automatically generated during the virtual machine creation.
`.sav`	A dump file created when you suspend the virtual machine. This file contains the state of the virtual machine and its applications at the moment the suspend was invoked.
`.mem`	A file containing the memory dump for the suspended virtual machine. For a running virtual machine, it is a temporary virtual memory file.
`.hdd`	A file representing a virtual hard disk. When you create a virtual machine, you can create it with a new virtual hard disk or use an existing one. A virtual machine can have several hard disks.
`.iso`	An image file of a CD or DVD disc. Virtual machines treat ISO images as real CD/DVD discs.
`.txt`	Output files for serial and parallel ports. The output `.txt` files are generated when a serial or parallel port connected to an output file is added to the virtual machine configuration.

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