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Dave Miller – Tech Enthusiast & Security Expert – July 13th, 2022
As reported by many having problems with macOS Catalina and above, you might be looking for how to uninstall VirtualBox on Mac. VirtualBox got built to work effectively to host various operating systems on your Mac.
For developers and home users, this program is very convenient and practical. But, when you try removing VirtualBox from Mac Applications or other conventional techniques, many objects and files get left behind. This article may be helpful if you are unhappy with VirtualBox’s working or decide to uninstall it for different reasons.
Read on to learn some of the possible causes of your VirtualBox problems and simple instructions for uninstalling it.
Oracle’s sophisticated x86 virtualization tools, known as the VirtualBox series, are intended for server, desktop, and embedded applications. It may be downloaded free as Open Source Software under GNU GPL.
You may run different operating systems on the same machine without restarting it by using Oracle VM VirtualBox. Even though your computer’s hardware no longer supports it, you may still install an old operating system. Since it may get utilized independently between hosts, it is most effective for testing and disaster recovery. Your hardware and electricity bills will eventually go down. So, one may load several of these underutilized physical PCs using VirtualBox instead of operating numerous of them.
The installation process is relatively simple. Oracle VM VirtualBox employs the most popular and user-friendly installation technique on each host platform. However, that is the complete opposite of its removal. Oracle hasn’t released official instructions on removing it from your macOS system. As a result, uninstalling VirtualBox is more complicated than you may expect, leaving you to question how to uninstall VirtualBox on Mac.
If you don’t do it right, it won’t be clean. You may still find some support files and the application after trashing or uninstalling it. Therefore, you have two options for getting rid of it: manually or official script.
Bonus Tip: Generally, Linux users can remove VirtualBox quickly and easily using the following short command line string:
sudo apt-get purge virtualbox*
The official script given by Oracle is the best approach for how to uninstall VirtualBox on Mac. The script was integrated into the app’s dmg and is part of the installation package. It would be best if you also cleared away the auxiliary scripts VirtualBox puts outside the /Applications folder. Therefore, this approach is more effective since it guarantees that all VirtualBox-related files get removed from your Mac.
Note: When you download VirtualBox, the VirtualBox_Uninstall.tool often gets included in the installation files, but if you delete those files, you can always download it again from the official website using the link below.
How to utilize the VirtualBox Uninstallation tool is described below.
Step #1: First, exit VirtualBox before executing the uninstaller. Open the VirtualBox dmg file you just downloaded.
Step #2: Double-click on the VirtualBox_Uninstall.tool in the screen’s lower right corner in the opened window.
Step #3: It will automatically launch the mac terminal command window and execute the uninstall VirtualBox command. Once a confirmation prompt appears, enter Yes for confirmation.
Note: You could receive a warning that the uninstaller cannot execute, in which case you must proceed with additional steps. Your Mac’s Security & Privacy settings provide a one-time choice to Allow programs downloaded from untrusted sources. Although the software is not from the Apple App Store, you need to take these extra steps since it is a trusted source.
Step #4: Type Yes when required to confirm the removal of any other additional VirtualBox extensions and confirm with your Mac user password authentication.
Step #5: The script will execute and display a “Process Completed” notification when finished!
Following these instructions, VirtualBox should get uninstalled from your Mac and all the additional files.
To manually remove the VirtualBox from Mac, follow the steps below.
Step #1: Ensure that VirtualBox is not operating in the background.
Step #2: Now, delete VirtualBox from your Mac’s Applications folder and move it to the Trash.
Bonus Tip: As an alternative, you may drag and drop it directly from the Launchpad into the Trash. (Review the Apple Guide)
Step #3: Get rid of the extra files that still remain after an incomplete installation. The library folder on your Mac has to get cleared of any VirtualBox-related files and directories.
Press the shortcut Command+Shift+G or type /Library into the search box and hit Enter.
Step #4: The following directories have Oracle VM VirtualBox’s global configuration information in addition to the files for the virtual machines. The official manual for Where Oracle VM VirtualBox Stores its Files is available online.
~/Library/VirtualBox
~/Library/Preferences
~/Library/Saved Application State/
~/Library/LaunchAgents/
~/Library/Saved Application State/
Step #5: After deleting all of VirtualBox’s support files, clean up the Trash as well.
Following the deletion of all the files, your Mac should be free from VirtualBox. But you can always choose third-party solutions that can locate all the relevant files and delete them for you if the procedure appears cumbersome.
Bonus Tip: Funter is a free Mac utility that enhances Finder. Additionally, it permits searching for hidden files within system packages and directories. You can also review related options.
A committed firm is actively supporting Virtual Box’s development along with its enthusiastic community. It often releases new versions and has a long set of features, supporting operating systems and compatible platforms and providing options for users to contribute.
But even the best of the best might occasionally experience issues that may want you to get rid of it. Since VirtualBox does not sufficiently support the most recent version of macOS due to tightened security protocols, many users have stopped using it. Or, occasionally, users may just not like VirtualBox’s user interface or app appearances, which is something that some people prefer while others may not.
Bonus Tip: There are many other alternatives present as well.
So whatever the reasons you have today, I got you covered for how to uninstall VirtualBox on Mac effectively through different methods
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Dave Miller is an IT Consultant for Online Cloud Security and has over 7 years of experience in the Information Technology space. He also specializes in repairing laptops & computers. In his spare time, he loves to talk about new technologies and hosts monthly IT and Cyber Security meetings in the Houston area.
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Online Cloud Security is here to recommend you the most secure devices, from laptops to smartphones, we only want to provide you with products that we have tested and used ourselves for online security. Every product that we recommend is heavily inspected and tested for security against hackers, viruses, malware, and any other intruders that may want to steal your information.
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