As with physical computers, you need to shut down your guest operating system before you power off your virtual machine. Follow the standard steps you also follow in the host operating system.

For example, in a Windows guest operating system, take these steps.

1. Select Shut Down from the Start menu of the guest operating system (inside the virtual machine).

2. Select Shut Down, then click OK.

3. After the guest operating system shuts down, you can turn off the virtual machine. Click Power Off.