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How to uninstall Parallels Desktop on Mac completely

Parallels Desktop is removed like most Mac apps, but it leaves settings, caches and command-line tools behind — and your virtual machines, which are often the biggest files on the Mac. Here is how to remove the app and its leftovers, and how to decide what happens to your virtual machines.

Uninstaller: a list of apps sorted by size with when each was last opened, Google Chrome selected with its app and cache sizes
  1. Open MacWashing and choose Uninstaller in the sidebar.
  2. Click Show Apps and check Parallels Desktop in the list.
  3. Click Remove and confirm. Files that may be yours are listed as Possible and stay unchecked.
Download MacWashingHow it works

Free trial · macOS 14 or later

Decide what to do with your virtual machines

Uninstalling Parallels Desktop doesn’t delete your virtual machines (files with the .pvm extension). Windows and the files inside it stay on the Mac. If you no longer need a virtual machine, delete it in Parallels Desktop before you remove the app:

  1. Open Parallels Desktop, but don’t start the virtual machine.
  2. Click the Parallels icon in the menu bar and choose Control Center.
  3. Right-click the virtual machine and choose Remove followed by its name.
  4. Choose Move to Trash to delete it, or Keep files to leave its files where they are.

Move to Trash can’t be undone: copy any files you need out of Windows first.

Uninstall Parallels Desktop

Parallels Desktop has no separate uninstaller. Parallels’ own instructions are to delete the app:

  1. Shut down any running virtual machine.
  2. Quit Parallels Desktop: choose Parallels Desktop › Quit Parallels Desktop in the menu bar.
  3. Open Finder › Applications and drag Parallels Desktop to the Trash.
  4. Enter your administrator password if macOS asks for it, then empty the Trash.

What Parallels Desktop leaves behind

After deleting the app, check these places. The first ones are in the Library folder inside your home folder:

  • ~/Library/Preferences/Parallels and ~/Library/Preferences/com.parallels.Parallels Desktop.plist — your Parallels settings.
  • ~/Library/Caches/com.parallels.desktop.console and ~/Library/Caches/Parallels Software — the cache.
  • ~/Library/Group Containers/4C6364ACXT.com.parallels.Desktop — data shared by Parallels’ components.
  • ~/Library/Parallels/Downloads — files Parallels Desktop downloaded.
  • ~/Library/Logs/parallels.log — the log.
  • /Library/Preferences/Parallels — settings for all users of the Mac.
  • /usr/local/bin/prlctl and the other prl files next to it — Parallels’ command-line tools.

Virtual machines are stored in ~/Parallels or /Users/Shared/Parallels. The App Store edition keeps them in ~/Library/Group Containers/4C6364ACXT.com.parallels.desktop.appstore/Shared/Parallels — don’t delete that container with the leftovers. They are your files, not leftovers: delete a virtual machine only when you’re sure you don’t need it, or move it to an external disk.

Remove the leftovers by hand

  1. In Finder, choose Go › Go to Folder (Shift-Command-G), type a path from the list above and press Return.
  2. Move the folder or file to the Trash. Files in /Library and /usr/local/bin need your administrator password.
  3. Repeat for the other paths.
  4. Restart your Mac, then empty the Trash.

Parallels Desktop isn’t the only app that leaves files behind: see how to uninstall apps on Mac completely.

With MacWashing, it’s one click

Uninstaller: a list of apps sorted by size with when each was last opened, Google Chrome selected with its app and cache sizes

The Uninstaller in MacWashing knows the files Parallels Desktop creates — in your Library folder and in the system folders — and removes them together with the app. Folders that may hold your own files, like your virtual machines (those of the App Store edition too), are listed as Possible and stay unchecked until you check them yourself.

Download MacWashingHow it works

Free trial · macOS 14 or later

Questions and answers

Will MacWashing delete my own files when it removes Parallels Desktop?

No. The Uninstaller checks only what belongs to the app: its settings, caches, logs and background items. Folders that may hold your own files are listed as Possible and stay unchecked until you check them yourself, and apps go to the Trash by default, so you can put them back.

What if Parallels Desktop is still running?

MacWashing waits for it to quit, or quits it at your request, and only then removes its files.

Is it free to uninstall Parallels Desktop with MacWashing?

Yes, within the free trial: System Junk and the Uninstaller free up to 25 GB in total, with no account or card needed.

Does uninstalling Parallels Desktop delete my Windows virtual machine?

No. Deleting the app leaves your virtual machines and the Windows files inside them in place. To delete a virtual machine, remove it in Control Center and choose Move to Trash.

Do I need to uninstall Parallels Desktop before upgrading?

No. Parallels says the new version replaces the current one during installation, and your virtual machines stay.

Can I use my virtual machines again after reinstalling?

Yes, as long as you kept the .pvm files. Install Parallels Desktop again and double-click the .pvm file in the folder where it is stored.