Virtualization

Can I delete VirtualBox from my Mac?

Yes, you can delete it

Yes, you can delete VirtualBox from your Mac. Deleting the app alone does not remove your virtual machines or data folders, which typically occupy 10 GB – 500 GB.

Last updated: November 1, 20262 min read

See how much space VirtualBox really takes before you decide

VirtualBox data usually takes 10 GB – 500 GB on a Mac. The free scan shows the exact size on your Mac before you change anything.

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Free scan · No account · Nothing is deleted without your OK · Moves to the Trash first · macOS 14+

Application: VirtualBox
Typical data size: 10 GB – 500 GB
Category: Virtualization
File Location: ~/VirtualBox VMs

What happens when you delete VirtualBox

Specific to VirtualBox

Removing the app preserves your virtual machine folders, including disks and snapshots. You lose access to the interface used to manage these files, but the data remains on your drive. However, since the app registers machines in ~/Library/VirtualBox, deleting the application while leaving these settings creates broken entries.

Where your VirtualBox data lives

These folders hold your own VirtualBox data. Deleting the app leaves them in place; removing them is what actually deletes it.

~/VirtualBox VMs Your files · virtual machine folders with disks, snapshots and logs Back up first: your data

Your files: Each virtual machine has its own folder in VirtualBox VMs with a .vbox settings file and its virtual disks.

Risks of removing VirtualBox

If you simply drag the app to the Trash, background helpers like kernel extensions and command-line links remain on your system. These components are only fully removed by using the official uninstall tool provided in the installer disk image. Without this tool, system-level files persist even after the main program is gone.

Export virtual machines you wish to keep as appliancesRemove unused snapshots to reduce backup sizeCopy your VM folders to a secure locationRun the uninstall tool from the installer disk image

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How to delete VirtualBox completely

Quit VirtualBox, move it to the Trash, then remove what it left in ~/VirtualBox VMs. The full step-by-step guide:

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Frequently asked questions

Will deleting VirtualBox delete my files?

No. Removing the app doesn't touch documents you saved in other folders. Only the app and, if you remove them, its own support files are deleted.

Will my virtual machine disks disappear if I move the app to the Trash?

No, because the app stores these disks in separate folders that are not deleted along with the application.

Why should I use the official uninstall tool instead of just deleting the app?

The tool removes kernel extensions and command-line links that would otherwise stay on your Mac.