Title: The Ultimate Guide to Mac VirtualBox Uninstall
Introduction – The Open Loop
Have you ever encountered issues when trying to uninstall VirtualBox from your Mac? You’re not the only one. Many users face difficulties while attempting to remove this virtualization software. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through the foolproof process of Mac VirtualBox uninstall, ensuring a smooth and complete removal without leaving any residue on your system. So, are you ready to discover the secrets to effectively uninstalling VirtualBox from your Mac? Read on!
Why is Mac VirtualBox Uninstall Necessary?
There might be several reasons for wanting to uninstall VirtualBox from your Mac. Maybe you no longer need it, or perhaps you are facing performance-related issues or errors. Whatever the reason, it is crucial to remove it entirely, as leftover files can waste memory and slow down your system.
Understanding Mac VirtualBox Uninstall
Uninstalling VirtualBox on a Mac involves two main steps – removing the application itself and then deleting its associated files from your system. Let’s delve deeper into both these steps to help you successfully uninstall VirtualBox from your Mac.
Step 1: Remove the VirtualBox Application
First, let’s begin with removing the VirtualBox application:
1. Close any running instances of VirtualBox.
2. Open the ‘Applications’ folder on your Mac.
3. Locate the ‘VirtualBox’ app icon and drag it to the ‘Trash’ in the Dock. Alternatively, you can right-click on the VirtualBox icon and choose ‘Move to Trash.’
Remember, moving the application to Trash will not completely uninstall it from your system. You also need to delete its associated files to achieve a thorough Mac VirtualBox uninstall.
Step 2: Delete Associated Files
To remove VirtualBox-related files, you need to follow these steps carefully:
1. Open Finder.
2. In the Finder menu, click on ‘Go,’ then choose ‘Go to Folder.’
3. Enter ‘~/Library’ in the input field and click on ‘Go’ to access the folder containing VirtualBox’s configuration files.
4. In the Library folder, find and delete the following file and folders (if present):
– VirtualBox.xml
– VirtualBox.xml-prev
– VBoxGuestAdditions.iso
5. Next, navigate to the ‘~/Library/Preferences’ folder.
6. Look for any files starting with “org.virtualbox” and delete them.
The above steps should remove most of the associated files. However, it’s essential to confirm that no additional residual files are left behind.
Find and Delete Leftover Files
Sometimes, there might still be some leftover files after completing the previous steps. To find and remove these residual files, follow these instructions:
1. Launch the Terminal application.
2. Enter the following command: sudo find / -iname '*virtualbox*'
3. Press ‘Enter’ to execute the command. The Terminal will display a list of all the files and folders related to VirtualBox.
4. Look through this list carefully and, if you find any VirtualBox-related files, enter the following command to remove them: sudo rm -rf [file_path]
Note: Be cautious when deleting files using the Terminal, as any mistakes can lead to the removal of critical system files, resulting in severe consequences.
Mac VirtualBox Uninstall – Final Thoughts
By following the detailed method outlined in this guide, you’ll be able to successfully uninstall VirtualBox from your Mac without leaving any traces behind. However, always remember to double-check the files you delete to avoid accidentally removing essential system files. Now that you have successfully removed VirtualBox from your Mac, you can confidently explore other virtualization solutions or continue to optimize your system for better performance. Happy computing!
Everyday Mac Software You MUST DELETE before it’s too late…
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How to uninstall VirtualBox on Mac?
If you want to uninstall VirtualBox on your Mac, follow these simple steps:
1. Quit VirtualBox: Before uninstalling, ensure that VirtualBox is not running. If it is, right-click on the VirtualBox icon in the Dock and select “Quit” or go to the menu bar, click on “VirtualBox” and then click “Quit VirtualBox.”
2. Open Terminal: The uninstallation process requires the use of Terminal. You can find it in the “Utilities” folder within the “Applications” folder or simply search for it using Spotlight.
3. Run the uninstall script: In the Terminal window, type the following command and hit Enter:
“`
sudo /Library/Application Support/VirtualBox/LaunchDaemons/VirtualBoxStartup.sh cleanup
“`
Enter your admin password when prompted. This command will remove all VirtualBox kernel extensions.
4. Delete VirtualBox files: Now, type the following commands in Terminal one by one, pressing Enter after each line:
“`
sudo rm -rf /Library/Application Support/VirtualBox
sudo rm -rf /Library/Preferences/org.virtualbox.app.VirtualBox.plist
sudo rm -rf /Library/Preferences/org.virtualbox.app.VirtualBoxVM.plist
“`
These commands will delete VirtualBox app support files and preferences.
5. Remove the VirtualBox application: Finally, go to your “Applications” folder, find the VirtualBox app, right-click on it, and select “Move to Trash.” Empty the Trash to completely uninstall VirtualBox from your Mac.
That’s it! You have successfully uninstalled VirtualBox from your Mac. If you want to reinstall it in the future, head to the VirtualBox website and download the macOS installer.
How do I completely uninstall VirtualBox?
If you want to completely uninstall VirtualBox from your computer, follow these step-by-step instructions:
For Windows:
1. Close any running instances of VirtualBox.
2. Click the Start button and open the Control Panel.
3. Select Programs and Features or Add/Remove Programs (depending on your Windows version).
4. Find Oracle VM VirtualBox in the list of installed programs.
5. Right-click on it and select Uninstall. Follow the prompts to complete the process.
6. After uninstalling, check the installation folder (usually C:Program FilesOracleVirtualBox) and delete any remaining files or folders.
7. Optionally, you can also delete the Virtual Machines folder (usually located in your user folder), but be aware that this will remove all your virtual machines and their data.
For macOS:
1. Close any running instances of VirtualBox.
2. Open the Finder and navigate to the Applications folder.
3. Locate the VirtualBox application.
4. Drag the VirtualBox icon to the Trash.
5. Empty the Trash to complete the uninstallation.
6. If you want to remove all related files and folders, open a Terminal window and enter the following commands one by one (press Enter after each command):
– sudo rm -rf /Library/Application Support/VirtualBox
– sudo rm -rf /Library/Preferences/org.virtualbox.app.VirtualBox.plist
– sudo rm -rf /Library/LaunchDaemons/org.virtualbox.startup.plist
7. Optionally, you can also delete the Virtual Machines folder (usually located in your user folder), but be aware that this will remove all your virtual machines and their data.
By following these steps, you should have completely uninstalled VirtualBox from your computer.
How do I completely remove a virtual machine from my Mac?
To completely remove a virtual machine from your Mac, follow these steps:
Step 1: Shut down the virtual machine
Before uninstalling, make sure the virtual machine is powered off. If it’s currently running, shut it down within the virtual environment or by selecting “Shut Down” from the virtual machine’s menu.
Step 2: Locate the virtual machine files
Virtual machines are stored as a bundle of files on your Mac. To find these files, navigate to the location where they are stored. The default location for most virtualization software (such as Parallels Desktop or VMware Fusion) is in the “Documents” or “Virtual Machines” folder in your home directory.
Step 3: Delete the virtual machine files
Once you’ve located the virtual machine files, simply drag them to the Trash. This will delete the virtual machine, its operating system, and any associated data. Be cautious and double-check that you’re deleting the correct files, as this action cannot be undone.
Step 4: Uninstall the virtualization software (optional)
If you no longer need the virtualization software, you can uninstall it as well. Most applications have their own uninstaller or instructions for removing them. Check the website or documentation of the virtualization software for specific instructions.
By following these steps, you can successfully remove a virtual machine and, if desired, the virtualization software from your Mac.
How to uninstall VirtualBox Mac stackoverflow?
Uninstalling VirtualBox on Mac
If you’re looking to uninstall VirtualBox from your Mac, follow these simple steps below:
1. Close VirtualBox: Before proceeding with the uninstallation process, ensure that VirtualBox is not running. Close any open VirtualBox windows and shut down all Virtual Machines.
2. Open Terminal: In Finder, navigate to Applications > Utilities and double-click on Terminal to open it.
3. Run Uninstall Script: VirtualBox comes with an uninstall script to facilitate the removal process. Enter the following command in Terminal and press Enter:
“`
sudo /Library/Application Support/VirtualBox/UninstallVirtualBox.sh
“`
4. Enter Administrator Password: You will be prompted to enter your administrator password. Type it in and press Enter. The script will proceed to remove VirtualBox components from your Mac.
5. Verify Uninstallation: To ensure that VirtualBox has been successfully removed, you can run this command in Terminal:
“`
pkgutil –pkgs | grep -i virtualbox
“`
If there’s no output displayed, it means that VirtualBox has been uninstalled successfully.
6. Delete VirtualBox Files (Optional): If you want to delete any remaining VirtualBox-related files, such as VMs and settings, use Finder to navigate to your home folder and delete the “VirtualBox VMs” folder, as well as any other related files you may find.
That’s it! You’ve successfully uninstalled VirtualBox on your Mac. Now, you can install another version of VirtualBox or explore other virtualization software options.
How to completely uninstall VirtualBox from a Mac?
If you want to completely uninstall VirtualBox from your Mac, follow these simple steps. These instructions will ensure that all relevant files and settings are removed, allowing for a clean removal of the application.
Step 1: Quit VirtualBox
Before uninstalling any app, it’s essential to quit the application to prevent any errors during the uninstall process.
Step 2: Remove the VirtualBox app
Navigate to the Applications folder, locate the VirtualBox app, and drag it to the Trash bin. Alternatively, you can right-click on the VirtualBox icon and select “Move to Trash” from the context menu.
Step 3: Remove VirtualBox system files
VirtualBox stores some additional files and settings outside the Applications folder. To completely remove these files, open Terminal (found in Applications > Utilities) and enter the following commands one by one, hitting “Enter” after each line:
sudo rm -R /Library/Application Support/VirtualBox
sudo rm -R /Library/LaunchDaemons/org.virtualbox.startup.plist
sudo rm -R /Library/Python/2.7/site-packages/vboxapi/
sudo rm -R /Library/Python/3.8/site-packages/vboxapi/
Make sure to enter your admin password when prompted.
Step 4: Remove VirtualBox user preferences
To remove the VirtualBox user preferences, execute the following command in Terminal:
rm -R ~/Library/VirtualBox
Step 5: Empty the Trash
After you’ve removed all relevant files and settings, empty the Trash bin to finalize the uninstall process.
And you’re done! VirtualBox should now be completely uninstalled from your Mac.
What are the common issues faced during the uninstallation of VirtualBox on Mac?
During the uninstallation of VirtualBox on a Mac, users may encounter several common issues. These include:
1. Incomplete uninstallation: Sometimes, VirtualBox leaves behind files, folders, or settings even after the uninstallation process is over. This can cause conflicts if you try to reinstall it in the future or just take up unnecessary space on your system.
2. Error messages: Users might experience error messages during both the uninstallation process and when trying to run other applications after uninstalling VirtualBox. These errors can be caused by leftover files or registry entries.
3. Permission issues: In some cases, users might not have the required permissions to uninstall VirtualBox completely. This can create problems during the process and leave unwanted files or folders behind.
4. Difficulty finding the uninstaller: Unlike some other applications, VirtualBox does not come with a built-in uninstaller for the Mac platform. Users might struggle to locate the correct method or tool for removing the application and its associated files from their system.
5. Manual removal complexities: Some users prefer to remove VirtualBox manually by deleting its files and folders. However, this approach can be challenging and time-consuming, especially if you’re not familiar with the locations of all VirtualBox-related files.
6. Impact on other applications: Uninstalling VirtualBox can sometimes cause other applications that rely on its components or shared libraries to malfunction or fail to launch altogether. This can be a significant inconvenience for users who depend on these other applications.
Are there any recommended tools or methods for effectively uninstalling VirtualBox from a Mac system?
Yes, there are several methods for effectively uninstalling VirtualBox from a Mac system. Here are two recommended methods:
1. Using the Official VirtualBox Uninstall Script:
The easiest and most recommended method is using the official uninstall script provided by Oracle (the developers of VirtualBox).
To do this, follow these steps:
a. Download the latest version of VirtualBox from their website: www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Downloads
b. Open the downloaded DMG file, and you will see a “VirtualBox_Uninstall.tool” inside.
c. Double-click the “VirtualBox_Uninstall.tool” file to start the uninstall process. You may need to provide your administrator password for permission.
d. Once the uninstallation is complete, close the Terminal window and restart your Mac.
2. Manually Uninstalling VirtualBox:
If you prefer to remove the software manually, follow these steps:
a. Quit VirtualBox completely, including any running virtual machines.
b. Open the Terminal app (found in Applications > Utilities).
c. Run the following commands one by one, pressing Enter after each command:
sudo rm -rf /Applications/VirtualBox.app sudo rm -rf ~/Library/VirtualBox sudo rm -rf ~/Library/Preferences/org.virtualbox.app.VirtualBox.plist sudo rm -rf ~/Library/Preferences/org.virtualbox.app.VirtualBoxVM.plist sudo rm -rf ~/Library/Saved Application State/org.virtualbox.app.VirtualBox.savedState sudo rm -rf ~/Library/Saved Application State/org.virtualbox.app.VirtualBoxVM.savedState
d. Restart your Mac to complete the uninstallation.
Both of these methods will effectively uninstall VirtualBox from your Mac system. Always remember to back up your data before performing any uninstallation, just in case something goes wrong or you want to use the software again in the future.