Ever felt like your Mac is running slower, especially after using Parallels Desktop? It’s not just your imagination. While Parallels is a fantastic tool for running Windows or other operating systems on your Mac, it can consume significant resources and storage space. Properly removing Parallels and all its associated files is crucial to reclaiming valuable disk space, optimizing your Mac's performance, and ensuring a clean system. Leaving lingering files can lead to future conflicts and slowdowns, making a thorough uninstall essential for maintaining a smooth and efficient macOS experience.
Knowing the right steps to completely remove Parallels is key because simply dragging the application to the Trash leaves behind a considerable amount of supporting data. These leftover files can accumulate over time, taking up gigabytes of storage and potentially affecting your Mac's overall speed. A complete and effective uninstall not only frees up resources but also prevents potential compatibility issues that can arise from incomplete software removals. So, let's dive into the process of ensuring Parallels is truly gone from your Mac, leaving it running as smoothly as possible.
What are the common questions people have about deleting Parallels?
What's the best way to completely uninstall Parallels Desktop from my Mac?
The best way to completely uninstall Parallels Desktop from your Mac is to use the built-in uninstaller application that comes bundled with the software. Simply locate the Parallels Desktop application in your Applications folder, right-click (or control-click) on it, and select "Show Package Contents." Then, navigate to the "Contents" folder, and within that, find and run the "Uninstall.app" application. Follow the on-screen prompts to remove Parallels Desktop and its associated files. This method ensures a more thorough removal than simply dragging the application to the Trash.
While dragging the Parallels Desktop application icon to the Trash *seems* easy, it often leaves behind residual files, configuration settings, and virtual machine data that can clutter your system and potentially cause conflicts later on. Using the dedicated uninstaller addresses this problem by systematically removing all components associated with Parallels, including virtual machines (if you choose to delete them), system extensions, and preference files stored in hidden directories. Therefore, using the uninstaller ensures a clean removal and frees up storage space effectively.
After running the uninstaller, it's still good practice to manually check for any remaining files or folders. You can do this by using Finder's "Go to Folder" command (Shift-Command-G) and entering the following paths, deleting any Parallels-related folders you find: `~/Library/Preferences`, `/Library/Preferences`, `~/Library/Application Support`, `/Library/Application Support`, and `~/Library/Caches`. Be cautious when deleting files from the Library folders, and only remove items you are certain are associated with Parallels Desktop. Emptying the Trash after completing these steps finalizes the uninstallation process.
How do I remove all associated Parallels files and folders after uninstalling?
Even after uninstalling Parallels Desktop through its built-in uninstaller or by dragging the application to the Trash, some associated files and folders might remain on your Mac. To completely remove these remnants, you'll need to manually search for and delete them from various locations within your user Library and potentially the system Library.
After uninstalling Parallels, start by opening Finder. Go to the "Go" menu, hold down the Option key, and click "Library." This will open the User Library folder, which is hidden by default. Within the Library folder, search for folders with "Parallels" in their name or folders created by Parallels. Common locations to check include: `~/Library/Application Support/`, `~/Library/Preferences/`, `~/Library/Caches/`, and `~/Library/Logs/`. Be careful deleting files from the Library folder; only delete files and folders that you are sure are related to Parallels. In addition to the user Library, also check the system Library folder (located at `/Library/`) for any remaining Parallels-related files. You'll need administrator privileges to modify this folder. Again, look for folders such as "Parallels" within ` /Library/Application Support/`, `/Library/Preferences/`, ` /Library/Caches/`, and `/Library/Logs/`. Once you've located these files and folders, drag them to the Trash and empty the Trash to permanently remove them. Restarting your Mac after deleting these files is also a good practice to ensure all processes are stopped and the files are completely removed.Can I delete Parallels without losing your virtual machines?
Yes, you can delete the Parallels application from your Mac without losing your virtual machines. The virtual machines are stored as separate files, typically with a ".pvm" extension, and are independent of the Parallels application itself. Deleting Parallels only removes the software used to *run* those virtual machines, not the virtual machines themselves.
Think of Parallels as a DVD player and your virtual machine as a DVD. You can uninstall the DVD player without damaging or erasing the DVD. Similarly, removing Parallels will not affect your virtual machine files. However, after uninstalling Parallels, you won't be able to start or use the virtual machines until you reinstall Parallels or use another virtualization software that supports the same virtual machine format (which is rare, Parallels virtual machines are mostly proprietary).
Before uninstalling Parallels, it's always a good practice to locate your virtual machine files to ensure you know where they are stored. The default location is usually in your "Documents/Parallels" folder or in your home directory, but you might have chosen a different location during the initial virtual machine creation. Knowing their location will make it easier to re-import or use them later, should you decide to reinstall Parallels or use a different virtualization solution in the future. It's also highly recommended to back up your virtual machines before making any major changes to your system or removing Parallels Desktop, just in case.
What's the difference between uninstalling Parallels and just deleting the application icon?
Deleting the Parallels application icon from your Mac's Applications folder only removes the program's shortcut. Uninstalling Parallels, on the other hand, completely removes the application, its associated files, virtual machines (if you choose to), and any supporting components scattered throughout your system. Simply deleting the icon leaves behind a significant amount of residual data, consuming disk space and potentially causing conflicts with other applications in the future.
Deleting only the icon leaves behind the Parallels application support files, virtual machine files (which can be very large), kernel extensions, preference files, and other associated data. This leftover data continues to occupy storage space on your hard drive. Moreover, these residual files might interfere with future installations of Parallels or other virtualization software. Properly uninstalling Parallels ensures that all of these components are removed, freeing up valuable disk space and preventing potential software conflicts. The proper uninstallation process typically involves using the built-in uninstaller within Parallels Desktop itself (found in the Parallels Desktop menu bar under "Parallels Desktop" -> "Uninstall") or a dedicated uninstaller application. This process guides you through the removal of the application, prompts you about whether you want to keep or remove your virtual machines, and cleans up the various supporting files associated with Parallels. Neglecting this process leaves behind a digital footprint, leading to a cluttered and potentially unstable system.Is there a specific order to deleting virtual machines and then Parallels?
Yes, it's crucial to delete your virtual machines *before* uninstalling Parallels Desktop. This ensures all associated virtual hard drive files and configurations are properly removed, preventing orphaned files from cluttering your Mac's storage and potentially causing issues down the line. Removing Parallels first might leave these files behind, making them harder to identify and remove later.
Deleting the virtual machines first allows Parallels to execute its built-in removal processes for those specific VMs. This involves not only deleting the virtual hard disk image (.hdd file) but also removing the VM's configuration files (.pvm file), snapshots, and any other related data. This systematic removal ensures a clean uninstall and prevents potential conflicts or performance issues that could arise from leftover VM components. Failing to delete the VMs before uninstalling Parallels can leave large, disk-hogging files scattered across your system. These files, often named with .hdd or similar extensions, can be difficult to locate manually, especially if you have multiple VMs. Moreover, manually deleting them without proper knowledge could inadvertently remove essential system files, leading to instability. Therefore, always prioritize removing the virtual machines through the Parallels interface before proceeding with the uninstallation of the Parallels application itself.How do I ensure Parallels Desktop is fully removed to free up disk space?
To completely uninstall Parallels Desktop and reclaim disk space, you must first quit Parallels, then use the built-in uninstaller through the Parallels application menu. After that, manually check the Library folder for any remaining Parallels files and remove them.
The standard drag-and-drop to the trash method might not remove all components, leaving behind virtual machines (VMs), configuration files, and support documents that occupy significant space. Utilizing the uninstaller ensures that Parallels removes its core application files and associated components like the Parallels Tools installed in your virtual machines. Access the uninstaller by opening Parallels Desktop, then in the menu bar select "Parallels Desktop" -> "Uninstall...". Follow the on-screen prompts.
Once the uninstaller has completed, it's crucial to manually check for any residual files. Open Finder, go to the "Go" menu, and select "Go to Folder...". Type `~/Library` and press Enter. Then search this Library folder for any folders or files related to Parallels, such as those named "Parallels" or "com.parallels.*". Carefully delete any found files or folders. Similarly, check your Applications folder for any remaining Parallels-related icons. Empty the Trash afterward to permanently delete the files and fully reclaim the disk space.
What if I'm having trouble uninstalling Parallels – what troubleshooting steps can I take?
If you're facing difficulties uninstalling Parallels Desktop from your Mac, the first step is to ensure you're using the official Parallels uninstaller, accessible from within the Parallels application itself (if possible) or from the .dmg installation file. If that fails, try force quitting Parallels processes, deleting virtual machines separately, checking for conflicting software, and as a last resort, using a dedicated uninstaller tool or manually removing Parallels components (with extreme caution) after backing up your system.
The most common reason for uninstall issues is that Parallels or related background processes are still running. Before attempting the uninstallation, use Activity Monitor (found in /Applications/Utilities/) to force quit any processes with "Parallels" in their name. Look for processes like "prl_vm_app," "Parallels Service," or any others that seem related. If you can't open Parallels Desktop at all, you can still use the uninstaller located within the Parallels Desktop .dmg file you originally used to install the software.
If force quitting doesn't solve the problem, you should separately delete any virtual machines that you created with Parallels. These virtual machine files are often large and can sometimes interfere with the uninstallation process. Typically, these files have a ".pvm" extension and are located in your Documents/Parallels folder or another location you specified. After deleting the VMs, retry the uninstallation. If all else fails, consider using a dedicated uninstaller application like AppCleaner or CleanMyMac X. These tools can often identify and remove all associated files that the standard uninstaller might miss. However, proceed with caution and only use reputable uninstaller tools, as some can be bundled with unwanted software. As a last resort, you could manually remove Parallels components; however, this is risky and requires technical expertise. Make sure to create a full backup before proceeding. If you're uncomfortable with manual removal, it's best to contact Parallels support for assistance.
And that's all there is to it! Hopefully, this guide has helped you successfully remove Parallels from your Mac. Thanks for reading, and feel free to come back anytime you need more Mac tips and tricks!