Deleting a virtual machine in Fusion

Products

• VMware Desktop Hypervisor

Issue/Introduction

This article describes how to delete an existing virtual machine. Virtual machines should be deleted when:

• The virtual machine is failing and needs to be recreated
• The operating system needs to be reinstalled and data on the virtual machine does not need to be saved

Environment

VMware Fusion 7.x
VMware Fusion 8.x
VMware Fusion 5.x
VMware Fusion 4.x
VMware Fusion 12.x
VMware Fusion Pro 10.x
VMware Fusion 11.x
VMware Fusion 3.x
VMware Fusion Pro 8.x
VMware Fusion 6.x
VMware Fusion 10.x
VMware Fusion 2.x

Resolution

Warning: Deleting a virtual machine deletes all data saved on that machine. If data on a virtual machine needs to be saved, back up your data before proceeding with the instructions in this article.

To delete a virtual machine:

1. In Fusion, go to Window > Virtual Machine Library.
2. Power off or suspend your virtual machine.
3. Right-click the virtual machine and select Delete.
4. When prompted, select Move to Trash.
   
   Note: Selecting Keep Files, rather than Move to Trash, removes the virtual machine from your Virtual Machine Library, but leaves the files that make up your virtual machine intact on your Mac. These files can be opened later or moved to another computer.
   
   For more information, see:
   • Uninstall a Virtual Machine by Using the Virtual Machine Library section in the VMware Fusion Help guide.
   • Locating the virtual machine bundle in VMware Fusion (1007599).

To free up the space on your Mac that was taken up by the virtual machine, right-click the Trash and select Empty Trash.

 

In VMware Fusion 4.x and higher, the Fusion dock icon shows a list of recent virtual machines, including any that may have been deleted.

 

Additional Information

For translated versions of this article, see: .

• Español: Eliminación de una máquina virtual en Fusion (2046714)
• Português: Como excluir uma máquina virtual no Fusion (2045120)
• 简体中文: 在 Fusion 中删除虚拟机 (2075637)