A method, computer program product, computing system, and system for backing up a virtual machine using a snapshot with memory are described. The method may include receiving a selection of a virtual machine to be backed up, wherein the virtual machine reads from a source virtual disk. The method may further include creating a non-quiesced snapshot with memory of the virtual machine that captures a state of the virtual machine. The method may also include creating a linked clone of the virtual machine and reverting the linked clone back to the state of the virtual machine using the non-quiesced snapshot with memory. Additionally, the method may include gracefully shutting down the linked clone of the virtual machine such that the linked clone is in a consistent state. Moreover, the method may include reading data from one or more virtual disks associated with the linked clone and saving the data.