# Removing a Virtual Machine

If you don't need a virtual machine any more, you can permanently remove it from your Mac:

{% hint style="danger" %}
**Warning:** Before removing, check that none of the virtual machine files (e.g. virtual hard drives) are used by other virtual machines. If you remove a Boot Camp virtual machine, the Boot Camp partition with Windows installed remains available on your Mac.
{% endhint %}

1. Shut down the virtual machine if it is running, right-click in the virtual machine window and choose **Remove**. You can also click **File** > **Remove** or right-click this virtual machine in the **Control Center** and choose **Remove**.
2. Click **Move to Trash**.

### Remove a Virtual Machine from the Control Center

To temporarily remove a virtual machine from **Control Center**:

1. Shut down the virtual machine if it is running, right-click in the virtual machine window and choose **Remove**. You can also click **File** > **Remove** or right-click this virtual machine in the **Control Center** and choose **Remove**.
2. Click **Keep Files**.

When you need this virtual machine again, you can easily [import it in Parallels Desktop](/landing/pdfm-ug/parallels-desktop-for-mac-26-users-guide/install-or-import-windows/importing-from-an-earlier-version-of-parallels-desktop-or-another-virtualization-application.md).


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