This command creates a new XML virtual machine definition file.

The -name <name> parameter is required and must specify the name of the machine. Since this name is used by default as the file name of the settings file (with the extension .xml) and the machine folder (a subfolder of the .VirtualBox/Machines folder), it must conform to your host operating system's requirements for file name specifications. If the VM is later renamed, the file and folder names will change automatically.

However, if the -basefolder <path> and the -settingsfile <filename> options are used, the XML definition file will be given the name <filename> and the machine folder will be named <path>. In this case, the names of the file and the folder will not change if the virtual machine is renamed.

By default, this command only creates the XML file without automatically registering the VM with your VirtualBox installation. To register the VM instantly, use the optional -register option, or run VBoxManage registervm separately afterwards.