How to Remove Parallels From Mac?

Mac
1

I’ve decided to stop using Parallels on my Mac as it’s taking up too much space. I tried looking for the application in the Applications folder to delete it, but I’m not sure if that’s enough to uninstall it completely. Could someone guide me through the proper steps to fully remove Parallels from my Mac? Need to ensure all components and files are deleted thoroughly. Thanks!

2

If you’re looking to fully uninstall Parallels from your Mac, just dragging the application to the trash isn’t going to get rid of all its associated files. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you through the process:

  1. Quit Parallels Desktop:
    Ensure that you’ve completely quit out of the Parallels Desktop application. Right-click on the Parallels Desktop icon in the Dock and select ‘Quit’. To make doubly sure, open Activity Monitor via Spotlight search, look for any instances of Parallels, and force quit them.

  2. Backing Up Important Data:
    Before proceeding, you might want to back up any important data from your virtual machines if you plan on using them later on another system.

  3. Use the Parallels Uninstaller:
    Parallels comes with an uninstaller that you should use for proper removal:

    • Open Finder.
    • Navigate to the ‘Applications’ folder.
    • Look for a folder named Parallels and inside it, you should find an uninstaller. Double-click on it and follow the prompts to uninstall.

  4. Manually Remove Related Files:
    Unfortunately, the uninstaller might not remove everything. To fully clean it out, follow these steps:

    • Launch Finder and access the ‘Go to Folder’ menu by pressing Command+Shift+G.
    • Navigate to these directories and delete any Parallels files you spot:
      • ~/Library/Preferences/
      • ~/Library/Application Support/
      • ~/Library/Logs/
      • ~/Library/LaunchAgents/
      • /Library/Preferences/
      • /Library/Application Support/
      • /Library/LaunchAgents/
      • /Library/LaunchDaemons/

    For example, type ~/Library/Preferences/ in the Go to Folder window, hit Enter, and look for files starting with com.parallels and delete them.

  5. Cleaning Up Virtual Machines:
    Don’t forget that your virtual machine files might still be hanging around taking up space. By default, these files are stored in the ~/Parallels folder. Just go to that directory and move any VM files to the trash.

  6. Remove System Files (If Advanced Cleanup Is Needed):
    There might be other deeper system files located in:

    • /Library/StartupItems/
    • /Library/Extensions/

    Again, look for anything related to Parallels and remove it. Be very cautious with this step to avoid deleting any critical system files.

  7. Empty the Trash:
    Once you have moved all files and folders mentioned above to the trash, make sure to empty the trash to reclaim the space.

  8. Restart Your Mac:
    Finally, restart your Mac to ensure all changes take effect.

  9. (Optional) Use Third-Party Uninstallers:
    If you’re not comfortable with manual deletion, you could use third-party uninstallers like AppCleaner or CleanMyMac. Just make sure the third-party app is trustworthy.

  10. Disk Utility Clean up:
    After you’ve cleared out everything, you might want to run Disk Utility (found in the Applications > Utilities folder) to repair disk permissions and clean out any leftover caches.

This should thoroughly remove Parallels from your Mac. If you need more space still, you might also want to look into other large files or unused applications that could be taking up space on your system.

Hope this helps! Let me know if you run into any issues. Happy cleaning!

3

Honestly, @byteguru, covered most of the necessary steps, but I’d argue there’s a quicker way if you’re not comfortable digging around in system files. Manually removing associated files can be risky if you’re not familiar with macOS directories.

Consider using a dedicated uninstaller:

  1. AppCleaner or CleanMyMac are really intuitive and take a lot of hassle out of the process. These programs scan your system for all related files and delete them in one go. Just be sure to download from their official websites to avoid malware.

Sure, you might end up paying a bit if you go with CleanMyMac, but it includes additional features like space cleaning, speed optimization, and privacy protection.

Snapshot Backup:

  1. Before making any significant changes, remember you can always make a quick snapshot of your system with Time Machine. It can save you from potential headaches if something goes sideways.

Tracking Down Leftover Files:

  1. If you still want to do things manually, make sure you check:
    • ~/Library/Caches/ for Parallels caches.
    • /private/var/db/ for any hidden Parallels files.

Alternative Cleanup:

  1. Parallels virtual machines are massive and sneaky in consuming storage. Instead of deleting the entire application, consider just deleting the VMs if you still potentially need the Parallels app in the future. Parallels stores VMs by default in ~/Parallels. Each VM folder will have a .pvm file which is the actual virtual machine.

Final Check:

  1. After everything, use the Activity Monitor again to ensure no Parallels processes are still running. Sometimes hidden daemons can stick around even after deletion attempts.

For a thorough clean, running a disk cleanup tool afterward isn’t a bad idea, but Disk Utility’s “First Aid” can also be quite effective.

What I wouldn’t agree with is the necessity to remove files from /Library/StartupItems/ or /Library/Extensions/ unless you are certain. These directories contain system-level items, and a mistake can disrupt macOS operations.

Always tread carefully when dealing with system files, and there’s no harm in seeking professional help if you’re uncertain. Better safe than sorry!

4

@y’all above, come on now, dealing with system files ain’t fun and games. Here’s the deal. All this talk about manually digging into directories — that’s just asking for trouble unless you know what you’re doing! One wrong move and you could mess up your macOS.

Trust me, just go with

  1. CleanMyMac or AppCleaner. Yes, these cost $$$, but they could save your hardware from a disaster. Plus, they offer more than just app uninstalls—they come with space cleaning and performance boosts. Worth it.

  2. If you’re paranoid about spending cash, OnyX is another free option, though it’s less intuitive and can be daunting for basic users.

  3. Everyone seems to forget this—Parallels Toolbox. Parallels actually has its own toolbox that simplifies the uninstall process, why not use it?

Cons? Okay, third-party uninstallers can sometimes miss hidden files, but it’s rare, and they’re safer than blindly deleting stuff. So, play it smart, not hard. Your Mac will thank you.