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Chapter 9. Deleting virtual machines

To delete virtual machines in RHEL 10, use the command line interface or the web console GUI.

To delete a virtual machine (VM), you can remove its XML configuration and associated storage files from the host by using the command line.

Prerequisites

  • The VM is shut-down.
  • No other VMs use the same associated storage.
  • Optional: Important data from the VM have been backed up.

Procedure

  • Use the virsh undefine utility:

    For example, the following command removes the guest1 VM, its associated storage volumes, and non-volatile RAM, if any. 

    # virsh undefine guest1 --remove-all-storage --nvram
Domain 'guest1' has been undefined
Volume 'vda'(/home/images/guest1.qcow2) removed.
    Copy to Clipboard Toggle word wrap

Verification

  • Ensure that the VM is no longer present on your host: 

    # virsh list --all
    Copy to Clipboard Toggle word wrap

You can delete a virtual machine (VM) and its associated storage files from the host by using the RHEL 10 web console.

Prerequisites

Procedure

  1. Log in to the RHEL 10 web console.

  2. In the Virtual Machines interface, click the Menu button ⋮ of the VM that you want to delete.

    A drop down menu appears with controls for various VM operations.

  3. Click Delete.

    A confirmation dialog appears.

  4. Optional: To delete all or some of the storage files associated with the VM, select the checkboxes next to the storage files you want to delete.

  5. Click Delete.

    The VM and any selected storage files are deleted.

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