# Reclaim Disk Space **prlctl** **reclaim-disk** *\* \[**--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. --- # Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter: ``` GET 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?ask= ``` The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.