WhySlow
What is Virtual machine on Mac?
A virtual computer run by an app like Docker, OrbStack, UTM or Parallels.
Why is Virtual machine using so much CPU?
Busy whenever the virtual machine is working. Quit the app that runs it when you don't need it.
Should you quit Virtual machine?
Maybe. Virtual machine isn't part of macOS, but an app you use may need it. If you don't recognize what it's doing, quit the app it belongs to rather than the process itself.
Is Virtual machine a virus?
Not by itself. Virtual machine comes from software you or your company installed. If you don't recognize the app it belongs to, look it up before quitting it, and remove apps you no longer use.
How to check Virtual machine on your Mac
Open Activity Monitor (Applications › Utilities), choose the CPU tab and type Virtual machine in the search field. The % CPU column shows how busy it is: 100% means one full processor core. The Memory tab shows how much memory it uses. Activity Monitor shows numbers but doesn't say what they mean; WhySlow explains Virtual machine in plain English and only flags it when it is really slowing your Mac down.
What to do if Virtual machine stays busy
- Quit or update the app that Virtual machine belongs to. Updates often fix runaway helpers.
- If you don’t use that app anymore, uninstall it so Virtual machine stops running in the background.
- Check System Settings › General › Login Items for helpers you don’t need at startup.
How WhySlow helps with Virtual machine
- Shows how much CPU and memory Virtual machine is using right now, in plain English.
- Tells you when Virtual machine is the real cause of a slow Mac, and when it isn't.
Free to explain. $7 once for one-click fixes.