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---
description: How to uninstall Docker Desktop
keywords: Windows, uninstall, Mac, Linux, Docker Desktop
title: Uninstall Docker Desktop
linkTitle: Uninstall
weight: 210
---

> [!WARNING]
>
> Uninstalling Docker Desktop destroys Docker containers, images, volumes, and
> other Docker-related data local to the machine, and removes the files generated
> by the application. To learn how to preserve important data before uninstalling, refer to the [back up and restore data](/manuals/desktop/settings-and-maintenance/backup-and-restore.md) section.

{{< tabs >}}
{{< tab name="Windows" >}}

#### From the GUI

1. From the Windows **Start** menu, select **Settings** > **Apps** > **Apps & features**.
2. Select **Docker Desktop** from the **Apps & features** list and then select **Uninstall**.
3. Select **Uninstall** to confirm your selection.

#### From the CLI

1. Locate the installer:
   ```console
   $ C:\Program Files\Docker\Docker\Docker Desktop Installer.exe
   ```
2. Uninstall Docker Desktop. 
 - In PowerShell, run:
    ```console
    $ Start-Process 'Docker Desktop Installer.exe' -Wait uninstall
    ```
 - In the Command Prompt, run:
    ```console
    $ start /w "" "Docker Desktop Installer.exe" uninstall
    ```

After uninstalling Docker Desktop, some residual files may remain which you can remove manually. These are:

```console
C:\ProgramData\Docker
C:\ProgramData\DockerDesktop
C:\Program Files\Docker
C:\Users\<your user name>\AppData\Local\Docker
C:\Users\<your user name>\AppData\Roaming\Docker
C:\Users\<your user name>\AppData\Roaming\Docker Desktop
C:\Users\<your user name>\.docker
```
 
{{< /tab >}}
{{< tab name="Mac" >}}

#### From the GUI

1. Open Docker Desktop. 
2. In the top-right corner of the Docker Desktop Dashboard, select the **Troubleshoot** icon.
3. Select **Uninstall**.
4. When prompted, confirm by selecting **Uninstall** again.

You can then move the Docker application to the trash. 

#### From the CLI

Run:

```console
$ /Applications/Docker.app/Contents/MacOS/uninstall
```

You can then move the Docker application to the trash. 

> [!NOTE]
> You may encounter the following error when uninstalling Docker Desktop using the uninstall command.
>
> ```console
> $ /Applications/Docker.app/Contents/MacOS/uninstall
> Password:
> Uninstalling Docker Desktop...
> Error: unlinkat /Users/<USER_HOME>/Library/Containers/com.docker.docker/.com.apple.containermanagerd.metadata.plist: > operation not permitted
> ```
>
> The operation not permitted error is reported either on the file `.com.apple.containermanagerd.metadata.plist` or on the parent directory `/Users/<USER_HOME>/Library/Containers/com.docker.docker/`. This error can be ignored as you have successfully uninstalled Docker Desktop.
> You can remove the directory `/Users/<USER_HOME>/Library/Containers/com.docker.docker/` later by allowing **Full Disk Access** to the terminal application you are using (**System Settings** > **Privacy & Security** > **Full Disk Access**).

After uninstalling Docker Desktop, some residual files may remain which you can remove:

```console
$ rm -rf ~/Library/Group\ Containers/group.com.docker
$ rm -rf ~/.docker
```

With Docker Desktop version 4.36 and earlier, the following files may also be left on the file system. You can remove these with administrative privileges:

```console
/Library/PrivilegedHelperTools/com.docker.vmnetd
/Library/PrivilegedHelperTools/com.docker.socket
```

{{< /tab >}}
{{< tab name="Ubuntu" >}}

To uninstall Docker Desktop for Ubuntu:

1. Remove the Docker Desktop application. Run:

Title: Uninstalling Docker Desktop on Windows, Mac, and Ubuntu
Summary
This document provides instructions on how to uninstall Docker Desktop on Windows, Mac, and Ubuntu. Before uninstalling, it warns users that all Docker-related data will be destroyed and advises backing up important data. It details the steps for uninstalling via the GUI and CLI for each operating system, and lists residual files that may need to be manually removed after the uninstall process.