How To Solve VirtualBox UUID Already Exist Error

When you delete a virtual hard disk drive inside VirtualBox, the file itself is not removed. Worst case scenario, when you delete the file manually and then trying to add a new virtual disk with the same filename in the same path. It will show a UUID already exist error.

All vitual hard disk drives are stored in the Global Virtual Box Configuration. First, you need to delete the Guest VM and choose the Delete all files option. Make sure to close all instance of VirtualBox.

Open Command Prompt and head down to the VirtualBox installation directory and type the command below.

vboxmanage list hdds

This will give the filenames and UUID's of all virtual disk you created.

In order to remove an entry from the list and make the filename available again, take note of the UUID and execute the command below:

vboxmanage closemedium disk <UUID> --delete

After successful execution of the command, both the file and the UUID entry in the configuration should be purged from the list and you can create a new virtual disk with the same file name again.