How to uninstall Parallels on Mac

Curious about how to uninstall Parallels on your Mac? Look no further.

Parallels Desktop is a well-used, powerful application that allows users to run Windows on their Macs without the need to reboot.

It's a handy tool, but if you're running out of vital storage space on your Mac, knowing how to remove Parallels safely from your device is a great way to reclaim space and improve your Mac's performance.

There are lots of reasons why users want to uninstall Parallels, including:

• Considerable hard drive space usage

• Consumes too much RAM

• Minimal gaming support

• Slower MacBook performance

If these reasons feel familiar, we'll show you two simple and safe ways to uninstall Parallels with ease, plus we'll answer some frequently asked Parallels questions, too. So, let's get started.

How to uninstall Parallels Mac in one click 

The easiest way to remove Parallels from Mac is to use a Mac cleaner app like CleanMyMac — its Uninstaller tool (found within the Applications feature) ensures safe and complete app removal. It is both powerful and efficient: instead of scouring through your Library and hidden folders for application debris, this app takes care of everything in just a few quick clicks.

Here's how to uninstall Parallels on Mac the clever way:

1. Open the app — get your free trial here.
2. Select Applications in the sidebar and run a quick scan.
3. Click Manage My Applications > Uninstaller.
4. Find Parallels in the list, select it, and click Uninstall.      

This way, you can bulk delete apps, too. Just select everything you no longer need before hitting Uninstall.

That's it, no hunting around for space-consuming hidden folders; this tool removes everything all in one go.

Why use CleanMyMac

• On average, a scan using the Applications feature takes up 8 seconds and 5 more seconds to remove unneeded apps
• Except for removing apps, you can also declutter your MacBook with the help of Cleanup and My Clutter: on average, users find and remove 8 GB of junk files and 83 duplicates/similar images after the first scan
• With the help of the Smart Care feature, you can keep your Mac in top shape in under 3 minutes: remove junk files and duplicate downloads, any malware that may have sneaked onto your Mac, install vital app updates, and run important maintenance tasks

Try CleanMyMac for free — test all 25+ tools without any limits for 7 days 

Not in the mood for using third-party apps? No worries; you can remove Parallels manually. However, do not forget that deleting apps on Mac is not as quick as sending them to the trash — although the icon will disappear, debris and hidden files stay behind, taking up space. Follow the steps below one by one to completely uninstall Parallels.

Tip: Another app commonly used for playing games on Mac is Steam. If you have it on your Mac and no longer need it, here's how to uninstall Steam from your computer.

How to delete Parallels on Mac manually

Uninstalling Parallels from a Mac manually requires deleting the app binary and removing all app-related files from the Library folder.

1. Make sure you are completely logged out and the Parallels app is closed. You can check in Activity Monitor that it is not running or working in the background. 

2. Open your Applications folder from within Finder and drag the Parallels icon to your Trash.
   

3. The application icon may well be in your Trash, but its leftovers aren't. You now must locate all of Parallel's temporary files. On your Desktop, press Command+Shift+G. One by one, enter the file paths below, searching for any files or folders titled Parallel. Remove items to your Trash.
   ~/Library
   ~/Library/Preferences
   ~/Library/Application Support
   ~/Library/Caches
   ~/Library/Application Scripts
   ~/Library/WebKit
   ~/Library/Cookies
   /Users/Shared
   ~/Library/Saved Application State
   ~/Library/Group Containers
   ~/Library/Containers
   ~/Library/Application Support/CrashReporter
   /Library/Preferences
   /private/var
   
   

4. Empty your Trash.

Always take extra care when deleting files from within your Library folders; removing the wrong thing could cause damage to your Mac or system.

If you're not confident or comfortable removing files from within your library folders, try CleanMyMac instead. 

What to do if Parallels is misbehaving?

If you're considering removing Parallels from your Mac because annoying, glitchy performance is getting you down, first try troubleshooting it to see if you can give Parallels a much-needed boost. Try the following one by one: restart your Mac, check for updates, and reset Parallels. Keep on reading to learn more about the process. 

1. Restart your MacBook

No Mac user likes to hear this tip because it is so glaringly obvious, but if it's been a while since you last rebooted your Mac, it's seriously worth a try. Restarting your device is well known to fix a multitude of glitches and errors. So head to your main Apple menu and hit Restart.

2. Keep your Mac updated

Another seemingly obvious tip that can quickly help solve issues with Parallels is updating macOS. If your Mac software is out of date, applications may run into issues. Here's a quick reminder on how to check:

• From the main Apple menu, go to System Settings > General > Software Update.
• Click Update Now to get started.

3. Reset Parallels

Another option when Parallels is misbehaving is to perform an application reset; this will essentially put Parallels back into its original state, eradicating bugs along the way. It's basically a restart. By using CleanMyMac, the app I mentioned a little earlier in the article, you can reset any app that's misbehaving; here's how to use it:

1. Open CleanMyMac on your Mac
2. Click Applications > Scan > Manage My Applications > Uninstaller.
3. Select Parallels from the list.
4. Click > next to its name, select everything except Binaries, and click Remove.

Well, now you know how to remove Parallels from Mac. The manual method certainly takes a bit more time and effort, and it's always advised to use caution when removing Library files and folders. That's why using the one-click automatic method is much faster and safer; you can rest assured that all application leftovers will be removed safely. And if you want to remove any other unnecessary apps from your computer, here's a comprehensive guide on how to delete programs on Mac.

Before we say goodbye, let's finish up by addressing some common questions about Parallels Desktop removal.

Frequently asked questions

Why won't Parallels uninstall?

When users run into this issue, it's likely that Parallels is open or running in the background. Here's how to check:

1. Select Finder > Applications > Utilities > Activity Monitor.

2. Under the CPU tab, locate Parallels from the list, select it, and click the X to kill the process immediately.

Now that you've ensured Parallels is completely shut down, try the uninstall tips in the above sections again.

If I uninstall Parallels, will I still be able to use Windows on my Mac?

Once you use the steps in this article to uninstall Parallels, you will no longer be able to run Windows on your Mac via the Parallels Desktop application.

How can I unsubscribe from Parallels?

If you're looking to cancel your Parallels subscription, follow the steps detailed here in this Parallels support article.