> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.parallels.com/landing/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.parallels.com/landing/parallels-desktop-developers-guide/command-line-interface-utility/manage-virtual-machines-from-cli/general-virtual-machine-management/reclaim-disk-space.md).

# Reclaim Disk Space

**prlctl** **reclaim-disk** *\<vm\_id>* \[**--estimate**] \[**--allow-shutdown**] \[**--json**]

Optimizes the virtual machine's disk file to reduce the disk space it occupies. Use this command when you have just deleted a large amount of files and need to free up space urgently; otherwise, normal procedures (e.g., TRIM on Windows machines) will suffice.

To proceed with this operation, the virtual machine must be shut down first. Applying the **--allow-shutdown** parameter will shut down a running virtual machine before the reclaim operation is performed.

When used with the **--estimate** parameter, will only provide the estimated size but will not actually reclaim any space. Adding **--json** in conjunction will change the output to JSON.


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