Title: How to Uninstall Parallels for Mac: A Comprehensive Guide
Introduction
Have you ever wondered how to uninstall Parallels for Mac? In this post, we will uncover the step-by-step process of removing it completely from your Mac computer. Be sure to read till the end as we’ll reveal a little-known secret that can make the uninstallation process even smoother. Ready? Let’s begin!
H2: What is Parallels for Mac?
Parallels is a virtualization software that allows users to run Windows, Linux, and other operating systems alongside macOS without rebooting their Mac computers. It is a popular choice among Mac users due to its seamless integration and easy-to-use interface. However, there may come a time when you no longer need Parallels on your Mac, and that’s when knowing how to uninstall it becomes essential.
H2: How to Uninstall Parallels for Mac
Follow these simple steps to uninstall Parallels for Mac completely from your computer:
Step 1: Quit Parallels
Before attempting to uninstall Parallels, ensure that it is not running. To do this, close any open virtual machines and exit the Parallels application. You can also right-click on the Parallels icon in the Menu Bar and select “Quit Parallels Desktop.”
Step 2: Open the Finder
Next, open the Finder by clicking on the Finder icon in your Dock.
Step 3: Locate the Applications Folder
In the Finder sidebar, click on the “Applications” folder to open it. This is where all installed applications on your Mac are stored.
Step 4: Remove Parallels Application
Locate the “Parallels Desktop” application in your Applications folder. Click and drag the application to the Trash, or right-click on it and select “Move to Trash.”
Step 5: Empty the Trash
To permanently remove Parallels from your Mac, empty your Trash by right-clicking on the Trash icon in your Dock and selecting “Empty Trash.” This will delete all files associated with Parallels Desktop.
H3: Additional Steps for Complete Removal
While the above steps remove the primary Parallels Desktop application, there are still some leftover files and folders on your Mac. To ensure a complete removal, follow these additional steps:
Step 1: Open Finder and Click on “Go” Menu
Open the Finder again and click on the “Go” menu at the top of your screen.
Step 2: Go to the Library Folder
A drop-down menu will appear. Hold down the Option key (or Alt) on your keyboard, and you’ll see the “Library” option. Click on this option to open the Library folder.
Step 3: Remove Parallels Folders
In the Library folder, find and delete the following folders:
– ~/Library/Parallels
– ~/Library/Caches/com.parallels.desktop.console
– ~/Library/Preferences/com.parallels.desktop.console.plist
– ~/Library/Application Support/CrashReporter/Parallels_*.plist
H2: The Little-Known Secret for an Even Smoother Uninstallation
If you’re looking for an even easier way to uninstall Parallels for Mac, third-party uninstaller applications can do the job quickly and efficiently. These applications automatically detect all files and folders associated with any application and completely remove them from your computer. Some popular choices include AppCleaner, CleanMyMac, and AppZapper. Just be sure to research each application and choose the one that best suits your needs.
Conclusion
Uninstalling Parallels for Mac is a straightforward process when following the step-by-step guide provided in this post. Remember to remove all associated files and folders to ensure a complete uninstallation. Additionally, consider using a third-party uninstaller application if you want a more efficient and hassle-free experience. With the tips in this blog post, you can quickly and easily uninstall Parallels for Mac and reclaim valuable disk space on your computer.
How to Install Windows 11 on Apple M2 Macs: Parallels 18
Macbook MDM BYPASS for T2 & M1 Chip LPro Apple remote management Bypass one-click tool
How do I completely remove Parallels from my Mac?
To completely remove Parallels from your Mac, follow these steps:
1. Quit Parallels: Ensure that Parallels and any of its virtual machines are closed. Right-click the Parallels icon in the menu bar and click “Quit Parallels Desktop.”
2. Open Applications folder: Go to the Finder, click on “Go” in the menu bar, and select “Applications.”
3. Remove Parallels Desktop: Locate the Parallels Desktop application in the Applications folder. Drag it to the Trash or right-click and select “Move to Trash.”
4. Delete additional files and folders: Some additional files and folders need to be removed manually. Open Finder, press Cmd + Shift + G, and type in each of the following paths, hitting “Go” after each one. Delete the associated files or folders relating to Parallels:
– ~/Library/Preferences/com.parallels.Parallels Desktop.plist
– ~/Library/Preferences/com.parallels.Parallels Dispatcher.plist
– ~/Library/Preferences/com.parallels.Parallels.plist
– ~/Library/Preferences/com.parallels.Parallels Explorer.plist
– ~/Library/Caches/com.parallels.Parallels Desktop
– ~/Library/Application Support/CrashReporter/Parallels*
– /Library/Logs/parallels.log
– /Library/Logs/Parallels/*
5. Empty Trash: Lastly, make sure to empty the Trash to completely uninstall Parallels from your Mac.
Note: If you want to delete your virtual machines, navigate to your Documents/Parallels folder and move the virtual machine files to the Trash. But remember, this will delete all data within the virtual machines.
How do I remove Windows from Parallels on my Mac?
To remove Windows from Parallels on your Mac, follow these steps:
1. Open Parallels Desktop on your Mac. Locate the Parallels icon in your applications folder or dock and click on it to launch the software.
2. In the Parallels Desktop Control Center, you will see a list of your virtual machines (VMs). Find the Windows VM that you want to remove.
3. Shut down the Windows VM if it is currently running. To do this, click on the Windows VM thumbnail, then click on the “Actions” menu at the top of the window and select “Shut Down.”
4. Once the Windows VM is shut down, right-click on the VM thumbnail in the Control Center and select “Remove” from the context menu. Alternatively, you can click on the “Actions” menu at the top of the window and select “Remove.”
5. A confirmation dialog box will appear, asking if you want to keep the files or move them to the trash. To completely uninstall Windows from Parallels, choose “Move to Trash.”
6. Finally, empty your trash to permanently delete the Windows VM and its associated files from your Mac.
After completing these steps, you have successfully removed Windows from Parallels on your Mac.
How do I uninstall Windows Parallels Desktop?
Uninstalling Windows Parallels Desktop from your Mac can be done in a few simple steps. Follow this guide to ensure a complete removal:
1. First, ensure that your Parallels Desktop application is not running. If it is, quit the application by right-clicking on the icon in the dock and selecting “Quit.”
2. Open a new Finder window and navigate to the Applications folder.
3. Locate the Parallels Desktop application in the Applications folder. You may need to scroll through the list to find it.
4. Once you have located the Parallels Desktop application, right-click (or Control-click) on the app’s icon and select Move to Trash from the contextual menu.
5. After the application has been moved to the trash, you can now Empty Trash. To do this, right-click (or Control-click) on the trash icon in your dock and select “Empty Trash.”
6. At this point, the Windows Parallels Desktop application should be completely removed from your Mac. However, some additional files and folders may still remain on your system.
7. To remove these leftover files, open a new Finder window and press Shift + Command + G on your keyboard. This will open the “Go to Folder” dialog.
8. In the “Go to Folder” dialog, type “~/Library” (without the quotes) and press Enter to open the hidden Library folder.
9. Within the Library folder, search for any folders or files related to Parallels in the following locations:
– Application Support
– Caches
– Logs
– Preferences
10. Delete any files or folders related to Parallels that you find in these locations. Be cautious not to remove any unrelated files, as this could cause issues with other applications.
11. Once you have deleted all leftover files, you have successfully uninstalled Windows Parallels Desktop from your Mac.
How do I reinstall Parallels on my Mac?
Reinstalling Parallels on your Mac after uninstalling it is a straightforward process. Follow these steps to ensure a smooth reinstallation:
1. Download the latest version of Parallels Desktop for Mac from the official Parallels website (https://www.parallels.com/products/desktop/). This will ensure you get the most recent and compatible version for your macOS.
2. Locate the downloaded file, which is usually saved in the Downloads folder by default. The file should be named like “Parallels Desktop [version].dmg” where [version] is the current version number.
3. Double-click the .dmg file to mount the installation disk image. A new window should open with the Parallels Desktop icon and an Applications folder shortcut.
4. Drag the Parallels Desktop icon onto the Applications folder shortcut to begin the installation process. This will copy the Parallels Desktop application to your Applications folder.
5. Open the Applications folder and locate the Parallels Desktop app. Double-click it to launch the program.
6. If you uninstalled Parallels Desktop previously, the software might prompt you to enter your Parallels account credentials to activate and register the product. Enter your email address and password associated with your Parallels account.
7. After activating Parallels Desktop, you may need to recreate your virtual machines or add existing ones if you had any before uninstalling the app. To do this, click on the “+” button within the Parallels Desktop Control Center and follow the on-screen instructions.
By following these steps, you’ll have successfully reinstalled Parallels Desktop on your Mac after uninstalling it. Remember to always keep your software up-to-date and back up your virtual machines to avoid potential issues during reinstallation.
What are the most effective methods to completely uninstall Parallels Desktop for Mac from the system?
There are several methods to completely uninstall Parallels Desktop for Mac from your system. Here, I will outline some of the most effective ones:
1. Using Parallels Uninstaller
The easiest way to uninstall Parallels Desktop is by using its built-in uninstaller. To do this:
– Open the ‘Finder’ and navigate to the ‘Applications’ folder.
– Locate the ‘Parallels Desktop’ application, right-click on it and select ‘Show Package Contents.’
– Inside the ‘Contents’ folder, open the ‘Resources’ folder and double-click on the ‘Uninstall’ script.
– Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the uninstallation process.
2. Manual Uninstallation
If the built-in uninstaller doesn’t work, you can try removing Parallels Desktop manually.
– Quit Parallels Desktop if it’s running.
– In the ‘Finder,’ go to the ‘Applications’ folder and drag the ‘Parallels Desktop’ application to the ‘Trash.’
– Empty the ‘Trash.’
Next, you’ll need to remove residual files. These files are usually hidden in the Library folders. Make sure to back up your data before proceeding.
– In the ‘Finder,’ click on the ‘Go’ menu and hold the ‘Option’ key to reveal the ‘Library’ folder. Click on it.
– Delete the following folders (if present):
-/Library/Parallels
-/Library/Caches/com.parallels.desktop.console
-/Library/Preferences/com.parallels.desktop.console.plist
-/Library/Application Support/Parallels Desktop
– Finally, restart your Mac to complete the uninstallation process.
3. Using Third-Party Uninstallers
Another option is to use third-party uninstaller applications like AppCleaner, CleanMyMac, or AppZapper. These tools can help you remove Parallels Desktop and its associated files easily. Follow the specific instructions provided by the uninstaller application you choose.
By following any of these methods, you should be able to completely uninstall Parallels Desktop for Mac from your system.
Are there any specific steps or precautions to be taken while removing Parallels Desktop for Mac to ensure no residual files are left behind?
When removing Parallels Desktop for Mac, it is important to follow specific steps and precautions to ensure no residual files are left behind. Here’s the recommended procedure to safely uninstall Parallels Desktop:
1. Shut down all virtual machines: Before starting the uninstall process, make sure you’ve shut down all running virtual machines.
2. Backup Virtual Machines (VMs): If you have important data in your VMs, make sure to create a backup of your virtual machines using Parallels Desktop or simply copy the VM files to an external storage device.
3. Remove Parallels Desktop application: Open the Applications folder on your Mac, find Parallels Desktop, and drag it to the Trash.
4. Delete residual files and folders: To ensure that no residual files are left behind, perform a thorough search and remove the following folders:
– /Library/Parallels
– /Library/Application Support/Parallels
– /Library/Preferences/com.parallels.desktop.console.plist
– /Library/Preferences/com.parallels.Parallels Desktop.plist
– ~/Library/Caches/com.parallels.Parallels Desktop
– ~/Library/Application Support/Parallels Desktop Services
– ~/Library/Logs/Parallels Desktop Services
Keep in mind that the “~” symbol represents the user’s home folder.
5. Empty the Trash: After deleting these files and folders, empty your Trash to permanently delete them from your Mac.
By following these steps, you should be able to successfully remove Parallels Desktop for Mac without leaving any residual files behind.
Can you provide a detailed, step-by-step guide on how to uninstall Parallels Desktop for Mac without causing any issues to the macOS system?
Uninstalling Parallels Desktop for Mac is a process that can be completed without causing issues to your macOS system. Follow these step-by-step instructions carefully:
1. Close Parallels Desktop: Before uninstalling the program, make sure it is not running. Close Parallels Desktop and any virtual machines running on it.
2. Open Finder: Click on the Finder icon in the Dock and navigate to the Applications folder.
3. Locate Parallels Desktop: In the Applications folder, locate the Parallels Desktop application.
4. Remove the application: To remove the main Parallels Desktop application, drag it to the Trash or right-click on the application and select “Move to Trash.”
5. Remove supporting files: You need to delete the remaining files related to Parallels Desktop from your Mac. To do this, press Shift + Command + G while in Finder to open the “Go to Folder” dialog box.
6. Delete Parallels folders: Enter the following locations one by one, and move the corresponding folders to Trash:
– /Library/Parallels (move the entire Parallels folder to Trash)
– /Library/Application Support/CrashReporter/ (locate files with “Parallels” and remove them)
– /Library/Preferences/ (locate files with “Parallels” and remove them)
7. Empty Trash: Right-click on the Trash icon in the Dock and select “Empty Trash.”
8. Restart your Mac: Restart your computer to finalize the uninstallation process and ensure that all Parallels Desktop-associated files have been removed from the system.
By following these steps, you will successfully uninstall Parallels Desktop for Mac without causing any harm to your macOS system. Make sure you have a backup of your virtual machines before proceeding with the uninstallation, as removing the application might also remove your virtual machines.