:_mod-docs-content-type: ASSEMBLY
[id="virt-exporting-vms"]
= Exporting virtual machines
include::_attributes/common-attributes.adoc[]
:context: virt-exporting-vms

toc::[]

You can export a virtual machine (VM) and its associated disks in order to import a VM into another cluster or to analyze the volume for forensic purposes.

You create a `VirtualMachineExport` custom resource (CR) by using the command-line interface.

Alternatively, you can use the xref:../../virt/getting_started/virt-using-the-cli-tools.adoc#vm-export-commands_virt-using-the-cli-tools[`virtctl vmexport` command] to create a `VirtualMachineExport` CR and to download exported volumes.

[NOTE]
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You can migrate virtual machines between OpenShift Virtualization clusters by using the link:https://access.redhat.com/products/migration-toolkits-virtualization[Migration Toolkit for Virtualization].
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include::modules/virt-creating-virtualmachineexport.adoc[leveloffset=+1]

include::modules/virt-accessing-exported-vm-manifests.adoc[leveloffset=+1]