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Guide — Use a Snapshot (Launch / Create Disk)

From an Instance snapshot, you can perform three main operations: launch a new Instance, create a Storage Disk, or manage tags. This guide describes the two most common operations.

Note: This feature is only available on General VPC.

Launch a New Instance From a Snapshot​

This operation creates a new Instance using the snapshot as the source image. Use it to migrate an Instance to different hardware specifications or to create a copy of the Instance at the point in time captured by the snapshot.

  1. In the left navigation bar, select Compute Engine → Snapshots.

    Snapshots list

  2. Select the Instance snapshot tab.

  3. Find the snapshot you want to use in the list.

  4. Click the action menu icon (⋮) at the end of that snapshot's row.

    Action menu

  5. Select Launch as Instance.

  6. The system navigates to the Instance creation form with the selected snapshot as the source image. Fill in the configuration details for the new Instance (name, flavor, network, etc.).

  7. Confirm to launch the Instance.

Create a Storage Disk From a Snapshot​

This operation creates a new Storage Disk with data from the snapshot, without creating an Instance.

  1. In the left navigation bar, select Compute Engine → Snapshots.

  2. Select the Instance snapshot tab.

  3. Click the action menu icon (⋮) at the end of the row for the snapshot you want to use.

  4. Select Create storage disk.

  5. Fill in the name and configuration for the new Storage Disk.

  6. Confirm to create the disk.

The new disk appears in Compute Engine → Storage Disks when the process is complete.

Manage Tags on a Snapshot​

  1. Click the action menu icon (⋮) on the snapshot you want to update.
  2. Select Manage tags.
  3. Add, edit, or remove tags as needed.
  4. Save the changes.