Introduction
Hello Reader technogigs,
Uninstalling VirtualBox on your macOS may become necessary when you want to free up your disk space, switch to another virtualization software or you are experiencing any issues with VirtualBox. This article is a complete guide on how to uninstall VirtualBox macOS.
Uninstalling VirtualBox macOS may seem like an easy task, but it involves a few steps that need to be followed correctly to ensure proper removal of VirtualBox. In this article, we will explain the information that you need to uninstall VirtualBox macOS completely.
This guide is for anyone who is experiencing issues with VirtualBox or for those who want to switch to another virtualization software.
Let’s get started.
How to Uninstall VirtualBox macOS – Advantages and Disadvantages
Before we dive into How to uninstall VirtualBox macOS, let’s discuss the advantages and disadvantages of uninstalling VirtualBox on your macOS.
Advantages of Uninstalling VirtualBox macOS
1. Free up disk space on your macOS
2. Easy switch to another virtualization software
3. Resolves any issues you might be facing with VirtualBox
4. Relieves your system’s resources that VirtualBox uses
5. Provides you a safer and more productive experience on your macOS.
Disadvantages of Uninstalling VirtualBox macOS
1. Loss of any data in the VirtualBox environment
2. You will need to reconfigure or reinstall any programs that you have installed on your virtual machine.
3. It may take some time to configure the new virtualization software for your macOS.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Uninstall VirtualBox macOS
If you are experiencing any issues with VirtualBox or you want to switch to another virtualization software, follow the steps below to uninstall VirtualBox macOS.
| Steps | Actions |
|---|---|
| 1 | Quit VirtualBox and all of its processes |
| 2 | Delete VirtualBox from the Applications Folder |
| 3 | Delete all the virtual machines associated with VirtualBox |
| 4 | Delete the user folder/library related to VirtualBox |
| 5 | Delete all the files related to VirtualBox from the system drive |
| 6 | Restart your macOS |
| 7 | Verify the complete removal of VirtualBox macOS. |
Let us discuss the above steps in detail:
Step 1: Quit VirtualBox and All of Its Processes
The first step in uninstalling VirtualBox macOS is to quit VirtualBox and all of its processes. You can do this by following these simple steps:
1. Open Activity Monitor from the Spotlight search and search for all processes with the name VirtualBox.
2. Quit all VirtualBox related processes from the Activity Monitor.
Step 2: Delete VirtualBox from the Applications Folder
The second step in uninstalling VirtualBox macOS is to delete VirtualBox from the Applications folder. Follow these simple steps to do so:
1. Go to the Applications folder on your macOS
2. Locate the VirtualBox icon
3. Click on it, to select it
4. Press the delete key on your keyboard or drag and drop the VirtualBox icon to the Trash
Step 3: Delete All the Virtual Machines Associated with VirtualBox
The third step in uninstalling VirtualBox macOS is to delete all the virtual machines associated with VirtualBox. Follow these simple steps to do so:
1. Open VirtualBox
2. Select and delete all the virtual machines that you do not need anymore
Step 4: Delete the User Folder/Library Related to VirtualBox
The fourth step in uninstalling VirtualBox macOS is to delete the user folder/library related to VirtualBox. Follow these simple steps to do so:
1. Open the Terminal App on your macOS
2. Type the command: rm -rf ~/Library/VirtualBox
3. Hit enter to execute the command.
Step 5: Delete All the Files Related to VirtualBox from the System Drive
The fifth step in uninstalling VirtualBox macOS is to delete all the files related to VirtualBox from the system drive. Follow these simple steps to do so:
1. Open the Finder App
2. Press Command + Shift + G
3. Type the path below and hit enter:
/Library/Application Support/VirtualBox
4. Right-click on the VirtualBox folder
5. Select Move to Trash
Step 6: Restart Your macOS
The sixth step in uninstalling VirtualBox macOS is to restart your macOS. Follow these simple steps to do so:
1. Open the Apple Menu
2. Click on Restart macOS and confirm.
Step 7: Verify the Complete Removal of VirtualBox macOS
The final step in uninstalling VirtualBox macOS is to verify the complete removal of VirtualBox. Follow these simple steps to do so:
1. Run the command below to verify the complete removal of VirtualBox:
sudo kextstat | grep vbox
2. If you get any output that contains “vbox” then, run the command below to remove those components:
sudo kextunload -b org.virtualbox.kext.VBoxDrv
sudo kextunload -b org.virtualbox.kext.VBoxNetFlt
sudo kextunload -b org.virtualbox.kext.VBoxNetAdp
sudo kextunload -b org.virtualbox.kext.VBoxUSB
sudo kextunload -b org.virtualbox.kext.VBoxDrv
You have now successfully uninstalled VirtualBox macOS.
Frequently Asked Questions About Uninstalling VirtualBox macOS
Q1. Can I uninstall VirtualBox macOS without deleting the virtual machines?
A1. No, you cannot uninstall VirtualBox macOS without deleting the virtual machines as the virtual machines are stored in the VirtualBox environment.
Q2. What happens to the virtual machines after uninstalling VirtualBox macOS?
A2. The virtual machines are deleted along with the VirtualBox files. If you have saved any data from the virtual machines, then that data will also be deleted.
Q3. Can I install VirtualBox macOS again after uninstalling it?
A3. Yes, you can install VirtualBox macOS again after uninstalling it. You will need to download the required installer from the VirtualBox Website and follow the instructions to install it.
Q4. What if I don’t want to delete the virtual machines and only want to uninstall VirtualBox?
A4. You can transfer the virtual machines to another location or another virtualization software before you uninstall VirtualBox.
Q5. Will uninstalling VirtualBox macOS remove all the VirtualBox files and related components?
A5. Yes, uninstalling VirtualBox macOS will remove all the VirtualBox files and related components.
Q6. How much disk space can I save by uninstalling VirtualBox macOS?
A6. You can save around 350 MB to 1 GB or more of disk space depending on the number of virtual machines and their size stored in VirtualBox.
Q7. Can I use the macOS System’s Trash to delete VirtualBox Files?
A7. Yes, you can use the macOS System’s Trash to delete VirtualBox Files.
Conclusion
You have now learned how to uninstall VirtualBox macOS. The above steps should be followed correctly to ensure proper removal of VirtualBox. By following this guide, you can free up disk space on your macOS and switch to another virtualization software. Remember to restart your macOS after uninstalling VirtualBox and confirm the complete removal of VirtualBox using the command in step 7.
If you have any questions or doubts, please leave a comment below.
Thank you for reading.
Closing Words / Disclaimer
In conclusion, it is important to note that uninstalling software from your macOS may cause loss of data or any applications that are installed on the associated software. This article is written to help and guide you on how to uninstall VirtualBox macOS completely. Follow the steps carefully and be aware of the advantages and disadvantages of uninstalling VirtualBox macOS. We are not responsible for any data loss or issues that may occur from following the above steps.