---
title: How to Destroy a MicroVM (public)
description: Permanently delete a MicroVM and the data on its disk using the Control Panel, doctl, or the API.
product: Microvms
url: https://docs.digitalocean.com/products/microvms/how-to/destroy/
last_updated: "2026-10-09"
---

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# How to Destroy a MicroVM (public)

DigitalOcean MicroVMs are lightweight virtual machines that run a container image in an isolated kernel, pause automatically when idle, and resume on the next request with memory, files, and processes intact.

Destroying a DigitalOcean MicroVM permanently deletes the MicroVM and the data on its disk. Its checkpoints are not deleted. To delete checkpoints, see [How to Checkpoint a MicroVM](https://docs.digitalocean.com/products/microvms/how-to/checkpoint/index.html.md).

## Destroy a MicroVM Using the Control Panel

Go to the [**MicroVMs** page](https://cloud.digitalocean.com/microvms), select the MicroVM, click the **Settings** tab, then click **Destroy**. You can also open the MicroVM’s **…** menu on the **MicroVMs** page and click **Destroy**.

In the **Destroy MicroVM** window, type the MicroVM’s name into the field, then click **Destroy**.

## Destroy a MicroVM Using doctl

Delete the MicroVM. You can pass more than one MicroVM ID. The command prompts for confirmation, and `--force` skips the prompt:

```shell
doctl compute microvm delete <your-microvm-id>
```

## Destroy a MicroVM Using the API

Send a `DELETE` request to `/v2/microvms/<your-microvm-id>`:

```shell
curl -X DELETE \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $DIGITALOCEAN_TOKEN" \
  "https://api.digitalocean.com/v2/microvms/<your-microvm-id>"
```

A successful request returns HTTP 204.