If you have been using VMware on your computer and now want to uninstall it, you have come to the right place. In this article, we will provide you with a step-by-step guide on how to uninstall VMware from your system. Whether you are a beginner or an advanced user, this guide will help you through the process.
Why Uninstall VMware?
Before we dive into the uninstallation process, let's take a moment to understand why you might want to uninstall VMware. While VMware is a powerful virtualization software that allows you to run multiple operating systems on a single machine, there could be various reasons for uninstalling it:
- You no longer need to use multiple operating systems on your computer.
- You are facing compatibility or performance issues with VMware.
- You want to switch to a different virtualization software.
- You need to free up disk space on your computer.
Step 1: Save and Close All VMware Applications
Before uninstalling VMware, it is important to save and close all running VMware applications. This ensures that no data is lost during the uninstallation process. Take a moment to close any virtual machines or other VMware applications that are currently running.
Step 2: Uninstall VMware Tools
VMware Tools is a set of utilities that enhances the performance of virtual machines running on VMware. Before uninstalling VMware, it is recommended to uninstall VMware Tools first. Here's how:
- Open the virtual machine on which VMware Tools is installed.
- Click on the “VM” menu in the VMware window.
- Select “Install VMware Tools” from the dropdown menu.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to uninstall VMware Tools.
Step 3: Uninstall VMware Workstation or VMware Player
Once you have uninstalled VMware Tools, it's time to uninstall VMware Workstation or VMware Player, depending on the version you have installed. Here's how:
- Open the Control Panel on your computer.
- Click on “Programs” or “Programs and Features,” depending on your version of Windows.
- Scroll through the list of installed programs and locate VMware Workstation or VMware Player.
- Right-click on VMware Workstation or VMware Player and select “Uninstall.”
- Follow the on-screen instructions to uninstall VMware Workstation or VMware Player.
Step 4: Remove VMware Folders and Files
After uninstalling VMware Workstation or VMware Player, it is recommended to remove any leftover folders and files associated with VMware. Here's how:
- Open File Explorer on your computer.
- Navigate to the following locations:
| VMware Version | Folder Location |
|---|---|
| VMware Workstation | C:\Program Files (x86)\VMware\VMware Workstation\ |
| VMware Player | C:\Program Files (x86)\VMware\VMware Player\ |
- Delete the VMware folder from the respective location.
- Empty the Recycle Bin to permanently delete the folder.
Step 5: Restart Your Computer
Once you have completed the uninstallation process and removed all leftover folders and files, it is recommended to restart your computer. This ensures that any remaining traces of VMware are completely removed from your system.
Conclusion
Congratulations! You have successfully uninstalled VMware from your computer. We hope this step-by-step guide has been helpful in guiding you through the uninstallation process. Remember to save and close all VMware applications, uninstall VMware Tools, uninstall VMware Workstation or VMware Player, remove VMware folders and files, and restart your computer. By following these steps, you can easily remove VMware and free up disk space on your computer.
Whether you are uninstalling VMware due to compatibility issues, performance concerns, or simply because you no longer need to use multiple operating systems on your computer, this guide has provided you with a comprehensive uninstallation process. If you ever decide to reinstall VMware in the future, you can refer back to this guide for a seamless installation experience.
