# Can I delete UTM virtual machines on Mac?

- URL: https://moreroom.app/folders/vm-utm
- Item: UTM virtual machines
- Location: `~/Library/Containers/com.utmapp.UTM/Data/Documents` (items inside)
- Verdict: Keep — your data — Your data. Shrink it from its app; don’t delete the folder.
- Comes back on its own: no
- Typical size: 10–100 GB per VM
- Source: MoreRoom rules catalogue (2026-10-17), by Yando Pte. Ltd.

## What is it?

UTM stores each virtual machine as a `.utm` package in `~/Library/Containers/com.utmapp.UTM/Data/Documents`. Each package contains the VM’s disks and settings: a whole Linux, Windows or macOS system with your files. Typically 10–100 GB each.

## What happens if you delete it?

No. A deleted VM cannot be rebuilt; you would have to install the guest system again and restore your files.

## How to remove it properly

In UTM, right-click a VM you no longer need and choose Delete. To keep it but free space on the Mac, shut it down and move the `.utm` package to an external drive, then open it from there in UTM.

## Before you delete it

Copy out your files first, and make sure the VM is fully shut down, not paused.