Leftover Virtual Machine Entries in VMware Fusion - Can't Remove

[nai wu]

'm encountering an issue with VMware Fusion. There are three virtual machine entries displayed in the list, but I can't locate their actual files anywhere on my system. I've attempted multiple solutions:

• Right - clicked on the VMware Fusion icon in the Dock, selected "Virtual Machine Library," and tried to delete the entries-no success.
• Edited the vmInventory file to remove references-entries still persist.
• Reset VMware Fusion preferences using defaults delete com.vmware.fusion-didn't work.
• Completely uninstalled and reinstalled VMware Fusion, including deleting caches and preference files-entries remain.

My system is running macOS Sequoia 15.4.1, and I'm using the latest version of VMware Fusion.

[Shruti Chavadi]

Hi @naiwu, 

I am not able to repro the issue. Can you please provide the build details where you are seeing the issue?

Thanks.

[nai wu]

Hi Shruti,

Thank you for your reply. By "build details", do you mean the version details of VMware Fusion? I'm using the latest version available on the official website. If you need other information like the system build number of macOS (it's Sequoia 15.4.1), or any specific logs from VMware Fusion, I'd be happy to provide them. Please let me know exactly what kind of details you need, and I'll gather and send them over.

Thanks!

[nai wu]

Hi Shruti,

I'd like to provide more details about the issue. I had three virtual machine files: "Ubuntu 64 位 22.04.5.vmwarevm", "Ubuntu 64 位 Server 22.04.5.vmwarevm", and "Ubuntu_64_ARM_Server 24.04.2.vmwarevm". I've already deleted these files in the Finder. However, their entries still remain in the VMware Fusion list. I'm not sure why they aren't being removed completely. Let me know if you need any other information.

Thanks!

[Rajeswara Reddy Kotla]

Hi @nai wu

Can you please try and share the results

 

1.Initially, have you tried deleting the vm from VM Library ? 

2.For the vm files deleted from finder, if you select the same vm in VM Library and rightclick then are you seeing 'Delete' option ? If so, can you click and see if it is giving any error ?

3.For the vm files deleted from finder, if you select the same vm in VM Library and rightclick then check if 'Show in Finder' option is enabled. If so, can you click and see if it is showing any error or its redirecting to the vm path ?

4.Can you quit, launch fusion and then try deleting the vm from VM Library. Check if the vm is getting deleted or is it giving any error ?

5.Please share the Fusion full support bundle if you still see the issue from Fusion menu -> Help -> Collect Support information -> Full

[nai wu]

Hi Shruti,

Thank you for your rely!

1. I have deleted the virtual machine from the VM Library, but there are remnants when I right - click (as shown in the first picture).
2. For the virtual machine files in the Finder, I have already deleted them (as shown in the second picture), but the result in the first picture still occurs.
3. For the third question, when I tested on the virtual machine I am currently using, everything is normal.
4. I have tried restarting Fusion, including uninstalling and reinstalling Fusion, and restarting my Mac, but the problem still persists.
5. I have packaged my logs. Please take a look. Thank you.

[Rajeswara Reddy Kotla]

Actual issue is, if you rightclick on the Fusion present on dock, the deleted vm entry is still seen. Am i correct ?

[Technogeezer]

@Rajeswara Reddy Kotia -  I've seen this issue as well for quite a few years now. Virtual machines that are deleted are still visible when right-clicking the Fusion icon on macOS Dock. There's no apparent way to get rid of them. 

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- Paul (technogeezer)
vExpert 2025
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[nai wu]

@Technogeezer It's likely a software bug. I've tried restarting VMware Fusion and rebooting my computer, but the issue persists. I've scoured through the macOS System Preferences and found no option to handle these leftover entries. I'm curious if there's a way to clean these remnants by modifying configuration files or the like. Also, does the official side have any plans to fix this issue in the future?

[Rajeswara Reddy Kotla]

Filed a ticket and the respective team will be looking in to it.

[nai wu]

Here is the Fusion logs in my Mac.

[nai wu]

Here is my Fusion logs！