Recently, it’s been a pain trying to delete old snapshots of my Ubuntu guest machines using VirtualBox. It turns out that VirtualBox creates a second VDI image when you create snapshots and deleting that snapshot to revert changes to the Ubuntu guest machine isn’t easy. One keeps getting the error that VirtualBox failed to delete the snapshot of the virtual machine.
It only happens to my Ubuntu guest machines and not Windows. Well, if you find yourself in this same situation, continue below to learn how to delete that stubborn virtual machine snapshot.
Objectives:
- Delete VirtualBox Guest Machine Snapshots
- Enjoy!
The error you get when trying to delete the snapshot is the one below.
T fix it, go to ‘File –> Virtual Media Manager’ or press Ctrl – D on your keyboard.
Then select the virtual machine hard disk and expand. Select the one that will say ‘Not Attached’ when you click on it. Then click ‘Remove’
When prompted, click ‘Delete’
Now go back and you should be able to delete your virtual machine snapshots.
Enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I fix VirtualBox 'Failed to Delete the Snapshot' error on Ubuntu guest machines?
To fix this error, go to 'File -> Virtual Media Manager' or press Ctrl + D, select the 'Not Attached' virtual machine hard disk, and click 'Remove', then 'Delete'. This should allow you to delete the virtual machine snapshots.
What causes VirtualBox to fail in deleting snapshots of Ubuntu guest machines?
VirtualBox creates a second VDI image when snapshots are created, making it difficult to delete them. This issue is specific to Ubuntu guest machines, not Windows.
How can I revert changes to an Ubuntu guest machine in VirtualBox?
To revert changes in Ubuntu guest machines, you need to delete the snapshots by accessing the 'Virtual Media Manager', selecting the correct hard disk, and removing the 'Not Attached' option.
Why does VirtualBox show 'Failed to Delete the Snapshot' error on my Ubuntu guest machines only?
The error is specific to Ubuntu guest machines because VirtualBox creates a separate VDI image when snapshots are taken, causing difficulties in deletion.
What steps can I follow to delete stubborn virtual machine snapshots in VirtualBox?
To delete stubborn virtual machine snapshots in VirtualBox, access the 'Virtual Media Manager', select the appropriate hard disk labeled 'Not Attached', click 'Remove' and then 'Delete'.
Is there a specific method to fix the 'Failed to Delete the Snapshot' error in VirtualBox for Ubuntu guest machines?
Yes, you can resolve this error by accessing 'File -> Virtual Media Manager' or using the shortcut Ctrl + D, selecting the correct hard disk, removing the 'Not Attached' option, and clicking 'Delete'.
Can I delete virtual machine snapshots in VirtualBox without encountering the 'Failed to Delete the Snapshot' error?
Yes, by following the steps to access the 'Virtual Media Manager', selecting the appropriate hard disk, and removing the 'Not Attached' option, you should be able to delete virtual machine snapshots without errors.
How can I successfully delete old snapshots of Ubuntu guest machines in VirtualBox?
To delete old snapshots of Ubuntu guest machines in VirtualBox, access the 'Virtual Media Manager', select the relevant hard disk labeled 'Not Attached', click 'Remove', and then confirm the deletion by clicking 'Delete'.