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How Do I Uninstall Parallels on My Mac?

Published in Mac Software Uninstall 5 mins read

Uninstalling Parallels Desktop on your Mac can be done through a few different methods, ranging from simply removing the application to a complete cleanup of all associated files and virtual machines. The most suitable method depends on how you installed Parallels Desktop and how thoroughly you wish to remove it.

Methods to Uninstall Parallels Desktop

There are generally two primary ways to remove Parallels Desktop: a simple app removal for basic uninstallation (often for the App Store version) or a more comprehensive uninstallation using the built-in utility for a thorough cleanup.

1. Simple App Removal (For App Store Edition or Basic Uninstall)

This method is quick and ideal if you just want to remove the application itself, especially if you installed the Parallels Desktop App Store Edition. It functions like uninstalling most other apps downloaded from the Mac App Store.

Via Finder (Drag to Trash)

  1. Open Finder: Click on the Finder icon in your Dock.
  2. Go to Applications: In the Finder sidebar, click on Applications.
  3. Locate Parallels Desktop: Scroll through your applications to find Parallels Desktop for Mac App Store Edition.
  4. Move to Trash: Right-click (or Control-click) on the Parallels Desktop icon and select Move to Trash.
  5. Empty Trash: To complete the uninstallation, right-click on the Trash icon in your Dock and select Empty Trash.

Via Launchpad

  1. Open Launchpad: Click on the Launchpad icon in your Dock.
  2. Enter Jiggle Mode: Click and hold the Parallels Desktop app icon until all the icons on your screen begin to jiggle.
  3. Delete App: A small 'x' (delete button) will appear on the top-left corner of the Parallels Desktop icon. Click this 'x'.
  4. Confirm Deletion: A confirmation dialog will appear. Click Delete to remove the application from your Mac.

2. Complete Uninstallation (Recommended for Full Version and Thorough Cleanup)

For a more thorough removal, especially if you installed the full version directly from the Parallels website, using the built-in uninstaller is recommended. This method removes the application, preference files, and other related components.

  1. Quit Parallels Desktop: Ensure Parallels Desktop and all its virtual machines are completely shut down and quit before proceeding. You can do this by going to the Parallels Desktop menu in the menu bar and selecting Quit Parallels Desktop.
  2. Access the Uninstaller:
    • From the .dmg file: If you still have the original Parallels Desktop .dmg (disk image) file, open it. You will often find an "Uninstall Parallels Desktop" application or an alias to it within the disk image window.
    • From the Application Package: If you don't have the .dmg file, you can often find the uninstaller within the Parallels Desktop application itself. Right-click on the Parallels Desktop.app in your Applications folder and select Show Package Contents. Navigate to Contents/Resources and look for an "Uninstaller" or "Uninstall Parallels Desktop" application.
    • Download Latest Version: If you cannot find the uninstaller, you may need to download the latest trial version of Parallels Desktop from the official Parallels website to access its uninstaller.
  3. Run Uninstaller: Double-click the "Uninstall Parallels Desktop" application.
  4. Follow Prompts: The uninstaller will guide you through the process. It will ask if you want to remove only the application or all associated files. For a complete cleanup, choose the option to remove all associated files.
  5. Authenticate: You may be prompted to enter your Mac's administrator password to authorize the uninstallation.

Managing Virtual Machines (VMs) Separately

It's important to note that uninstalling Parallels Desktop does not automatically delete your virtual machine files (e.g., Windows, Linux installations). These are stored as separate files on your Mac.

  • Locate VMs: Virtual machine files typically have a .pvm extension and are commonly found in your user's Documents/Parallels folder, ~/Parallels (a shortcut to a Parallels folder within your Home directory), or directly in ~/Virtual Machines.
  • Backup or Delete: If you no longer need these virtual machines, you can manually drag their .pvm files to the Trash and then empty the Trash. If you plan to reinstall Parallels Desktop later or use these VMs on another system, make sure to back them up to an external drive or cloud storage before deletion.

Manually Removing Leftover Files (Advanced)

While the official uninstaller handles most associated files, some minor preference files, caches, or logs might remain. This step is usually not necessary but can be performed for a complete cleansing.

To access the hidden ~/Library folder, open Finder, click on Go in the menu bar, then hold down the Option (Alt) key and select Library.

Within the Library folder, you can manually look for and delete folders or files related to Parallels in the following locations:

  • ~/Library/Application Support/Parallels
  • ~/Library/Preferences/com.parallels.* (look for all files starting with com.parallels.)
  • ~/Library/Caches/com.parallels.*
  • ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.parallels.*
  • ~/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.parallels.*

Be cautious when deleting files from the Library folder, as removing incorrect files can affect other applications.

Summary of Uninstallation Methods

Method What it Primarily Removes Recommended For
Drag to Trash / Launchpad Parallels Desktop application only Quick removal, App Store Edition users
Official Uninstaller Application + most associated files Thorough cleanup, users of the full version
Manual File Deletion Remaining preference/cache files Advanced users, absolute deep cleanup

By following these steps, you can effectively uninstall Parallels Desktop from your Mac, freeing up valuable storage space.