2 Ways to Completely Uninstall Parallels Desktop on Mac

Although Parallels Desktop allows you to run Windows on your Mac, it can take up a lot of storage space. If you don't have much storage space available, your Mac may run slowly. Want to know how to uninstall it from your Mac safely and completely? Keep reading, and you will find 2 ways.

What Is Parallels Desktop?

Parallels Desktop is a virtual machine software that allows you to run Windows on an Intel Mac and M1 Mac without restarting. It has more than 30 one-click tools that can make every task on Mac and Windows simple and easy.

Nevertheless, it has some drawbacks that make you want to uninstall it, such as taking up a lot of space, paying to use, lack of support for games and multimedia, and unable to start. If you want to uninstall it, please continue reading this blog to learn how to remove it from your Mac manually and automatically.

How to Uninstall Parallels Desktop on Mac Manually

1. Click the Parallels icon in the tools bar and choose Quit Parallels Desktop.

   

2. Open Finder, select Applications, and find Parallels Desktop.

3. Right-click on its icon and move it to Trash.

   

4. Find and delete Parallels-related files in the following folders.

   • ~/Library
   • ~/Library/Application Support
   • ~/Library/Application Scripts
   • ~/Library/Caches
   • ~/Library/Cookies
   • ~/Library/Preferences
   • ~/Library/Saved Application State
   • ~/Library/Containers
   • ~/Library/Group Containers
   • ~/Library/Application Support/CrashReporter
   • ~/Library/WebKit
   • /Library
   • /Library/Preferences
   • /Users/Shared
   • /private/var/db
   • /private/var

   

5. Empty your Trash.

How to Uninstall Parallels Desktop on Mac Quickly

You might find that manually uninstalling Parallels Desktop can be a tedious and challenging process, especially for new users. That's why we introduce you to a convenient tool - BuhoCleaner. You can use it to swiftly remove the Parallels Desktop application and its associated files, including logs, caches, preferences, and support files, all in a matter of seconds.

Here's what you need to do:

1. Download, install, and launch BuhoCleaner.
2. Click the App Uninstall in the sidebar and you will find all the apps installed on your Mac.
3. In the results list, locate Parallels Desktop, check the box next to it, and click the Remove button.

Bonus Tip: How to Remove Parallels Virtual Machine from Mac

Please note that using the above two methods does not remove the virtual machine. If you think you will no longer use Parallels Desktop and want to delete all the files and applications that you used in it, follow the steps below to delete the virtual machine from your Mac.

1. Open Finder and click the search icon in the upper-right corner.
2. Type in .pvm and choose Kind: Parallels virtual machine in the drop-down menu.
3. Move the .pvm file to Trash and empty your Trash.

Conclusion

Now you are equipped with the knowledge of how to uninstall Parallels Desktop from your Mac both manually and automatically. If you prefer a more time-efficient approach to the uninstallation process, we highly recommend using BuhoCleaner to handle it for you. Try it for free now.

FAQs

1. Why Can't I Uninstall Parallels from My Mac?

   The most common reason why you might be unable to uninstall Parallels is that you haven't quit it first. If you're unsure whether there are Parallels processes running in the background, open Activity Monitor and search for any Parallels processes. If you find any, force quit them.

2. Does Uninstalling Parallels Delete My Virtual Machines?

   No, uninstalling Parallels Desktop does not automatically delete your virtual machines. If you want to delete your virtual machines, you will need to do so manually. However, it's crucial to back up any important data before doing so.

3. Can I Reinstall Parallels on My Mac After Uninstalling?

   Yes, you can reinstall Parallels on your Mac at any time by downloading the installation file from the official Parallels website and following the provided installation instructions.