How to Uninstall Parallels Desktop in macOS

Learn the step-by-step process to uninstall Parallels Desktop on macOS and optimize your system's performance.

Hello there, Mac users! Are you ready to bid farewell to Parallels Desktop on your macOS device? Perhaps you've found a better virtual machine that suits your needs, or maybe you just want to free up some space on your computer. Whatever the reason may be, we're here to guide you through the process of uninstalling Parallels Desktop from your Mac.Before we begin, it's important to note that uninstalling Parallels Desktop is a straightforward process, and it won't affect any of your other files or applications. However, it's always a good idea to back up your virtual machine and any important files before proceeding with the uninstallation process. Now, let's get started!

Step 1: Close the virtual machine and the Parallels app.

Before we can begin uninstalling Parallels Desktop, we need to make sure that the virtual machine and the Parallels app are closed. To do this, simply click the red "X" button at the top left corner of the virtual machine and the Parallels app. Make sure that both applications are fully closed before proceeding to the next step.

Step 2: Select the Parallels Desktop app and click Actions in the menu bar.

Now that both the virtual machine and the Parallels app are closed, let's move on to the next step. Select the Parallels Desktop app from your Applications folder and click "Actions" in the menu bar. From the drop-down menu, select "Shut Down" to ensure that the app is fully closed.

Step 3: Control-click on the Parallels Desktop icon from the Dock.

Next, control-click on the Parallels Desktop icon from the Dock to bring up the context menu. From the menu, select "Quit" to ensure that the app is fully closed. This will prevent any conflicts during the uninstallation process.

Step 4: Launch Finder and select "Applications" from the sidebar.

Now, let's head over to Finder and select "Applications" from the sidebar. This will bring up a list of all the applications installed on your Mac.

Step 5: Control-click on "Parallels Desktop" and select "Move to Trash."

Find the Parallels Desktop app in the list of applications and control-click on it. From the context menu, select "Move to Trash" to begin the uninstallation process. This will move the app to your Trash folder, but it won't delete it entirely just yet.

Step 6: Enter your Mac's password or fingerprint for confirmation.

When prompted, enter your Mac's password or use your fingerprint for confirmation. This will ensure that only authorized users can uninstall the app from your device.

Step 7: Remove the app from your Mac.

Now that the Parallels Desktop app is in your Trash folder, you can remove it from your Mac entirely. To do this, simply drag the app from your Trash folder to the "Applications" folder in Finder. This will permanently delete the app from your device.

Step 8: Empty the Trash to completely remove the deleted app.

To ensure that the deleted app is completely removed from your device, you'll need to empty your Trash folder. Control-click on the Trash icon in your Dock and select "Empty Trash." This will permanently remove the app and all associated files from your device.

Step 9: Remove residual files from the Parallels Desktop folder.

Although the Parallels Desktop app has been uninstalled, there may still be residual files left in the Parallels Desktop folder. To remove these files, head over to your Library folder and navigate to the "Parallels" folder. From here, delete any remaining files or folders associated with Parallels Desktop.

Step 10: Remove similar files from other directories like preferences, caches, WebKit, Group Containers, and Containers.

In addition to the Parallels Desktop folder, there may be similar files in other directories on your Mac. These files can be found in directories such as preferences, caches, WebKit, Group Containers, and Containers. To remove these files, simply navigate to each directory and delete any files or folders associated with Parallels Desktop.

Step 11: Finally, delete these files from the Trash by Control-clicking the Trash icon and selecting Empty Trash.

Just like in Step 8, you'll need to empty your Trash folder to permanently remove the deleted files from your Mac. Control-click on the Trash icon in your Dock and select "Empty Trash" to complete the process.

Congratulations, you've successfully uninstalled Parallels Desktop from your macOS device! We hope that this step-by-step guide has been helpful in guiding you through the process. If you have any further questions or concerns, don't hesitate to reach out to us for assistance. Thank you for reading!