How to Uninstall VMware Fusion on Mac (Ultimate Guide)

VMware Fusion is a popular tool for running virtual machines on macOS, allowing users to use Windows, Linux, and other operating systems without leaving the Mac environment. However, if you no longer need it, are experiencing issues with it, or find it’s taking up too much space, uninstalling VMware Fusion may be necessary. This guide will walk you through the detailed steps to completely remove VMware Fusion and any related virtual machines from your Mac.

Let’s dive in.

How to Automatically Uninstall VMware Fusion on Mac

If you’re looking for a quick, simple solution to remove VMware Fusion from your Mac, a dedicated uninstaller tool can be very effective. BuhoCleaner is a user-friendly Mac cleaning and optimization tool that helps you quickly and completely uninstall applications, including VMware Fusion and Parallels Desktop, with just a few clicks. It finds all the related files that VMware Fusion leaves behind, making sure nothing is missed.

Here's how to remove VMWare Fusion on your Mac using BuhoCleaner:

1. Download, install, and launch BuhoCleaner on your Mac.
2. Click App Uninstall to find all apps installed on your Mac.
3. Find VMware Fusion and click the Remove button. If VMware Fusion is running in the background, you may be asked to quit it first.

How to Manually Remove VMware Fusion from Mac

If you prefer not to install a third-party app uninstaller, you can manually remove VMware Fusion from your Mac. It takes a bit longer, but it’s a thorough way to ensure VMware Fusion and its associated files are completely removed.

Step #1. Quit VMware Fusion

Before uninstalling, make sure VMware Fusion is not running. If you’re unsure, open Activity Monitor (found in Finder > Applications > Utilities) and quit any VMware processes that might be running in the background.

Step #2. Move VMware Fusion to the Trash

1. Open Finder > Applications.
2. Locate VMware Fusion.
3. Drag the VMware Fusion app to the Trash.

Step #3. Delete VMware Fusion Support Files

The step above removes the main app only, but its support files remain on your Mac. They are stored in different Library folders on your Mac. To fully uninstall VMware Fusion, you need to remove them manually.

1. Click the Go menu in Finder, then select Go to Folder.

   

2. Enter the following paths one by one, and delete any VMware Fusion files you find in each folder:

   • ~/Library/Application Support/
   • ~/Library/Caches/
   • ~/Library/Logs/
   • ~/Library/Preferences/
   • ~/Library/Saved Application State
   • /Library/Preferences/
   • /Library/Application Support/

Step #4. Empty the Trash

After moving all VMware-related files to the Trash, right-click on the Trash icon and select Empty Trash. This will permanently delete all VMware Fusion files from your Mac.

How to Remove Virtual Machines from VMware Fusion on Mac

If you were using VMware Fusion to run virtual machines, you might still have virtual machine files on your Mac. These files can take up significant space, so removing them is essential if you no longer need them. Here's how:

• If VMWare is still installed:

  1. Open VMware Fusion, then click the Virtual Machines library.
  2. Select the virtual machine you want to delete, right-click on it, then select Delete.
  3. Empty your Trash.

• If VMWare is uninstalled:

  1. Open Finder, press Shift + Command + G to open the Go to Folder window.
  2. Paste ~/Virtual Machines.localized into the search box and press Return.
  3. Select and delete the virtual machines you no longer need.
  4. Empty your Trash.

The Bottom Line

Uninstalling VMware Fusion from your Mac can free up valuable space and reduce clutter, especially if you’re no longer using virtual machines. You can do it automatically or manually. Whichever method you choose, it will help you successfully remove VMware Fusion and reclaim space on your Mac.