How To Uninstall Parallels For Mac

Are you tired of using Parallels on your Mac and want to uninstall it? Parallels is a popular virtualization software that allows users to run Windows applications on their Mac. However, if you no longer need it or want to free up some space on your Mac, uninstalling Parallels is a straightforward process. In this article, we will guide you through the steps to uninstall Parallels for Mac.

Before You Start: Backup Your Virtual Machines

Before uninstalling Parallels, it is crucial to back up any virtual machines you have created within the software. Virtual machines are separate instances of operating systems that run within Parallels. They contain important files and data that you may want to keep even after uninstalling Parallels.

To back up your virtual machines, follow these steps:

1. Open Parallels Desktop on your Mac.
2. Select the virtual machine you want to back up from the list.
3. Click on the “File” menu at the top of the screen.
4. Choose the “Export” option from the dropdown menu.
5. Select a location on your Mac where you want to save the backup file.
6. Click “Save” to start the export process.
7. Repeat these steps for each virtual machine you want to back up.

Uninstalling Parallels for Mac

Now that you have backed up your virtual machines, you can proceed with uninstalling Parallels for Mac. Follow these steps:

1. Quit Parallels Desktop if it is currently running.
2. Open the “Applications” folder on your Mac.
3. Locate the Parallels Desktop app icon.
4. Drag the Parallels Desktop app icon to the Trash.
5. Right-click on the Trash icon in the dock and choose “Empty Trash” from the context menu.

Once you have completed these steps, Parallels Desktop should be successfully uninstalled from your Mac.

Removing Parallels Files and Folders

Although dragging the Parallels Desktop app to the Trash removes the main application, there may still be some residual files and folders left behind. To ensure a complete uninstallation, you should remove these as well. Follow these steps:

1. Open Finder on your Mac.
2. Click on the “Go” menu at the top of the screen.
3. Choose the “Go to Folder” option from the dropdown menu.
4. Type “~/Library” (without quotes) in the text field and press Enter.
5. Locate the following folders and delete them if they exist:

• – ~/Library/Application Support/Parallels
• – ~/Library/Caches/com.parallels.desktop.console
• – ~/Library/Logs/parallels.log
• – ~/Library/Preferences/com.parallels.desktop.plist
• – ~/Library/Preferences/com.parallels.Parallels Desktop Statistics.plist
• – ~/Library/Preferences/com.parallels.Parallels Desktop Events.plist

After deleting these folders, you have successfully removed all the Parallels files and folders from your Mac.

Emptying the Trash

Lastly, you need to empty the Trash to permanently delete all the Parallels files and folders. Follow these steps:

1. Right-click on the Trash icon in the dock.
2. Choose the “Empty Trash” option from the context menu.
3. Click “Empty Trash” in the confirmation dialog.

After emptying the Trash, all the Parallels files and folders will be permanently deleted from your Mac.

Conclusion

Uninstalling Parallels for Mac is a straightforward process that involves deleting the main application, removing residual files and folders, and emptying the Trash. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can easily uninstall Parallels and free up space on your Mac. Remember to back up your virtual machines before uninstalling Parallels to avoid losing any important files or data. Now, go ahead and uninstall Parallels for a cleaner and more streamlined Mac experience!