---
id: mac-storage-basics.how-do-i-delete-unused-python-virtual-environments
url: https://storagestudio.us/faq/mac-storage-basics/how-do-i-delete-unused-python-virtual-environments
category: "Mac storage basics"
subcategory: "Programming languages and toolchains"
question: "How do I find and delete unused Python virtual environments?"
alt_questions:
  - "venv folder size"
  - "delete python venv mac"
  - "virtualenv taking space"
  - ".venv folders mac"
  - "remove python environments"
  - "python env disk usage"
short_answer: "Each virtual environment is a folder (.venv, venv, env) holding its own packages. Delete ones you don't use; recreate them from requirements.txt when needed."
tags: ["python", "venv", "developer"]
related: ["https://storagestudio.us/faq/mac-storage-basics/how-do-i-clean-up-conda", "https://storagestudio.us/faq/mac-storage-basics/how-do-i-show-hidden-files-on-a-mac"]
applies_to: "all"
last_reviewed: 2026-10-01
---

# How do I find and delete unused Python virtual environments?

A virtual environment is just a folder (often named `.venv`, `venv` or `env`) inside or next to a project, holding its own copy of every package. Data-science packages can make each one large.

To remove one, make sure nothing is using it and delete the folder — it can be recreated any time from the project's `requirements.txt` or lock file. To find them, search your projects folder for those folder names (Finder hides names starting with a dot unless you press **Shift-Command-.**). Conda environments are managed differently — see [cleaning up conda](https://storagestudio.us/faq/mac-storage-basics/how-do-i-clean-up-conda).