How Do You Uninstall Docker Desktop Easily and Completely?

AvatarByHarold Trujillo Troubleshooting & How To

If you’ve been exploring containerization or working with Docker Desktop, you might find yourself needing to uninstall it for various reasons—whether it’s to free up system resources, troubleshoot issues, or switch to a different setup. Understanding how to properly remove Docker Desktop from your computer ensures that all related files and configurations are cleanly cleared, preventing potential conflicts down the road.

Uninstalling Docker Desktop isn’t always as straightforward as deleting an application, especially since it integrates deeply with your system’s networking and virtualization components. This process involves more than just removing the main program; it often requires attention to residual files and settings that could affect future installations or other software. Knowing the right steps can save you time and avoid common pitfalls.

In the following sections, we’ll guide you through the essential considerations and general approach to uninstalling Docker Desktop safely and effectively. Whether you’re using Windows or macOS, this overview will prepare you to handle the process with confidence and ease.

Uninstalling Docker Desktop on Windows

To uninstall Docker Desktop on Windows, you need to follow a systematic approach to ensure that all associated files, services, and containers are properly removed from your system.

Begin by closing Docker Desktop and ensuring no Docker processes are running in the background. You can do this by right-clicking the Docker icon in the system tray and selecting “Quit Docker Desktop.”

Next, open the “Apps & Features” settings in Windows. Locate Docker Desktop in the list of installed applications, click on it, and then choose “Uninstall.” This will initiate the standard uninstallation process via the Windows Installer.

After the uninstallation completes, some residual files and configurations may remain on your system. To thoroughly clean your environment, consider the following steps:

  • Delete the Docker-related folders from your user profile, typically located at:
  • `%AppData%\Docker`
  • `%LocalAppData%\Docker`
  • `%ProgramData%\DockerDesktop`
  • Remove Docker’s network interfaces and virtual switches using the Hyper-V Manager or PowerShell commands.
  • Clear Docker’s configuration files stored in `%UserProfile%\.docker`.

If you have used Docker volumes or images stored outside the default locations, ensure to remove those manually to free up disk space.

Uninstalling Docker Desktop on macOS

On macOS, uninstalling Docker Desktop involves several key steps to ensure a clean removal from your system.

First, quit Docker Desktop completely by clicking the Docker icon in the menu bar and selecting “Quit Docker Desktop.” This ensures no Docker processes are active during removal.

Next, open the “Applications” folder in Finder, locate the Docker app, and drag it to the Trash. Alternatively, right-click on the Docker app and select “Move to Trash.”

To remove all associated files and settings, you will need to delete Docker’s configuration and support files from various system directories. These are typically located at:

  • `~/Library/Application Support/Docker Desktop`
  • `~/Library/Containers/com.docker.docker`
  • `~/Library/Group Containers/group.com.docker`
  • `~/Library/Preferences/com.docker.docker.plist`
  • `~/Library/Logs/Docker Desktop`

Removing these files helps to clear cache data, preferences, and logs that Docker Desktop generates during operation.

Additionally, if you have Docker volumes or images stored in custom locations, you should delete those directories manually.

Using Command Line Tools to Remove Docker Components

In some cases, especially for advanced users or automated scripts, command line tools provide a powerful way to uninstall Docker Desktop and its components.

On Windows, you can use PowerShell commands to stop Docker services and remove related files:

  • Stop Docker service:

powershell
Stop-Service -Name com.docker.service

  • Unregister Docker as a Windows service:

powershell
sc.exe delete com.docker.service

  • Remove Docker network adapters using PowerShell cmdlets or `Remove-NetAdapter`.

On macOS, the Terminal can be used to remove Docker files and processes:

  • Stop Docker processes:

bash
pkill Docker

  • Remove Docker directories:

bash
rm -rf ~/Library/Application\ Support/Docker\ Desktop
rm -rf ~/Library/Containers/com.docker.docker
rm -rf ~/Library/Group\ Containers/group.com.docker
rm -rf ~/Library/Preferences/com.docker.docker.plist
rm -rf ~/Library/Logs/Docker\ Desktop

Below is a summary table of common Docker Desktop uninstall commands for Windows and macOS:

Platform Command Description
Windows Stop-Service -Name com.docker.service Stops the Docker service before uninstallation
Windows sc.exe delete com.docker.service Deletes the Docker service registration
macOS pkill Docker Terminates running Docker processes
macOS rm -rf ~/Library/Application\ Support/Docker\ Desktop Removes Docker Desktop application support files

Cleaning Up Docker Data and Resources

After uninstalling Docker Desktop, it’s important to clean up any leftover Docker images, containers, volumes, and networks that may still consume disk space.

Docker stores much of this data in specific directories depending on your platform and Docker configuration.

To manually remove Docker data on Windows, delete the following folders if they exist:

  • `%ProgramData%\Docker`
  • `%ProgramData%\DockerDesktop`
  • `%UserProfile%\.docker`

On macOS, Docker data is commonly stored in:

  • `~/Library/Containers/com.docker.docker/Data`
  • `~/.docker`

If you prefer to remove Docker data via command line before uninstalling Docker Desktop, you can use Docker CLI commands such as:

  • `docker system prune -a –volumes` — removes all unused data including images, containers, and volumes.
  • `docker volume ls` and `docker volume rm ` — to list and delete specific volumes.

Be cautious when pruning Docker data as this action is irreversible and may delete important containers or images.

Troubleshooting Common Uninstallation Issues

Sometimes, uninstalling Docker Desktop may encounter issues such as locked files, remaining services, or corrupted installation entries.

If the uninstaller fails to run or Docker processes cannot be stopped, try the following:

  • Restart your computer to release any locked resources

Uninstalling Docker Desktop on Windows

To completely remove Docker Desktop from a Windows machine, follow these professional steps to ensure all components, configurations, and associated files are properly deleted.

  • Stop Docker Desktop: Before uninstalling, ensure Docker Desktop is not running. Right-click the Docker icon in the system tray and select Quit Docker Desktop.
  • Uninstall via Settings:
    1. Open Settings by pressing Win + I.
    2. Navigate to Apps > Apps & features.
    3. Scroll to find Docker Desktop in the list.
    4. Click on it and select Uninstall.
    5. Follow the prompts in the uninstall wizard to complete removal.
  • Remove Docker Data and Configuration Files:
    Docker stores images, containers, volumes, and configuration data in your user profile and program data folders. Manually deleting these ensures no residual files remain.

    • Delete the Docker folder from %APPDATA%\Docker
    • Delete Docker-related folders from %LOCALAPPDATA%\Docker and %PROGRAMDATA%\DockerDesktop
    • If you have WSL 2 integration enabled, remove Docker-related WSL distributions by running wsl --unregister docker-desktop and wsl --unregister docker-desktop-data in PowerShell or Command Prompt.
  • Clean Up Network Interfaces and Virtual Switches:
    Docker creates virtual network adapters that may persist post-uninstallation.

    • Open PowerShell as Administrator.
    • Run Get-NetAdapter -Name "vEthernet (DockerNAT)" to check for Docker virtual adapters.
    • If present, remove them with Remove-NetAdapter -Name "vEthernet (DockerNAT)" -Confirm:$.
    • Optionally, check Hyper-V virtual switches by opening Hyper-V Manager and deleting any Docker-related virtual switches.

Uninstalling Docker Desktop on macOS

To thoroughly uninstall Docker Desktop on macOS, perform these steps to remove the application and all related files.

  • Quit Docker Desktop: Ensure Docker Desktop is not running. Click the Docker whale icon in the menu bar and select Quit Docker Desktop.
  • Delete the Docker Application:
    1. Open the Applications folder.
    2. Drag Docker.app to the Trash.
  • Remove Configuration and Support Files:
    Docker stores settings and data in several directories. Remove these to clean up completely.

    • Open Terminal and execute the following commands: 
      rm -rf ~/Library/Containers/com.docker.docker
rm -rf ~/.docker
rm -rf ~/Library/Group\ Containers/group.com.docker
rm -rf /Library/PrivilegedHelperTools/com.docker.vmnetd
rm -rf /Library/LaunchDaemons/com.docker.vmnetd.plist
    • Empty the Trash to finalize file deletion.
  • Remove Docker Networking Interfaces:
    Docker may have created network interfaces. To remove them:

    1. Open System Preferences > Network.
    2. Look for any interfaces prefixed with vEthernet or named docker0.
    3. Select and remove these interfaces by clicking the minus (–) button.

Uninstalling Docker Desktop on Linux

While Docker Desktop is primarily designed for Windows and macOS, some Linux distributions offer Docker Desktop or similar GUI solutions. For native Docker Engine installations, the process differs. Below is guidance for uninstalling Docker Desktop or Docker Engine components on Linux.

  • Stop Docker Services: 
    sudo systemctl stop docker.service docker.socket
  • Uninstall Docker Packages:
    Depending on your package manager, use one of the following:

    Professional Perspectives on How To Uninstall Docker Desktop

    Linda Chen (Senior DevOps Engineer, CloudWorks Solutions). When uninstalling Docker Desktop, it is crucial to first stop all running containers and remove any volumes or images that are no longer needed. This ensures a clean removal process without residual files that could interfere with future installations or system performance.

    Markus Feldman (Software Systems Architect, Tech Innovations Inc.). The recommended approach to uninstall Docker Desktop involves using the native uninstaller provided by the operating system, such as the Add or Remove Programs feature on Windows or dragging the application to Trash on macOS. Additionally, clearing out Docker-related configuration files from user directories helps prevent conflicts.

    Sophia Ramirez (IT Infrastructure Consultant, NextGen Cloud Services). It is important to verify that Docker Desktop services are fully stopped before initiating the uninstall process. For enterprise environments, documenting the uninstall steps and backing up any critical container data is essential to avoid data loss and to facilitate a smooth transition to alternative container management tools.

    Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

    How do I uninstall Docker Desktop on Windows?
    Go to Settings > Apps, locate Docker Desktop in the list, select it, and click Uninstall. Follow the prompts to complete the removal process.

    What steps are required to uninstall Docker Desktop on macOS?
    Open the Docker Desktop application, go to the Docker menu, select “Troubleshoot,” and click “Uninstall.” Alternatively, drag the Docker app from the Applications folder to the Trash.

    Will uninstalling Docker Desktop remove all my containers and images?
    Yes, uninstalling Docker Desktop typically removes all containers, images, volumes, and configurations stored locally.

    Do I need to stop Docker Desktop before uninstalling it?
    Yes, it is recommended to quit Docker Desktop completely before uninstalling to ensure all related services are stopped.

    How can I clean up leftover Docker files after uninstalling Docker Desktop?
    Manually delete Docker-related files from system directories such as `~/.docker` on macOS or `%APPDATA%\Docker` on Windows to remove residual data.

    Can I reinstall Docker Desktop after uninstalling it?
    Yes, you can download the latest version of Docker Desktop from the official Docker website and install it at any time.
    Uninstalling Docker Desktop is a straightforward process that involves following platform-specific steps to ensure complete removal of the application and its associated components. Whether you are using Windows or macOS, it is important to properly stop Docker services and remove related files to avoid residual data that could affect future installations or system performance. Utilizing built-in uninstallers or system settings provides a clean and efficient way to remove Docker Desktop from your machine.

    Key takeaways include the necessity of backing up any important Docker images or containers before initiating the uninstallation process, as these will be deleted during removal. Additionally, understanding the differences in uninstall procedures across operating systems helps prevent common pitfalls, such as leftover configuration files or system resources still being allocated to Docker. For advanced users, manual cleanup of Docker-related directories may be required to fully reset the environment.

    In summary, a careful and methodical approach to uninstalling Docker Desktop ensures that your system remains stable and ready for any future container management needs. By adhering to recommended guidelines and verifying the removal of all Docker components, users can maintain an optimized development environment free from unnecessary clutter or conflicts.

    Author Profile

    Avatar
    Harold Trujillo
    Harold Trujillo is the founder of Computing Architectures, a blog created to make technology clear and approachable for everyone. Raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Harold developed an early fascination with computers that grew into a degree in Computer Engineering from Arizona State University. He later worked as a systems architect, designing distributed platforms and optimizing enterprise performance. Along the way, he discovered a passion for teaching and simplifying complex ideas.

    Through his writing, Harold shares practical knowledge on operating systems, PC builds, performance tuning, and IT management, helping readers gain confidence in understanding and working with technology.

    © 2025 Computing Architectures

    Distribution Uninstall Command
    Debian/Ubuntu 
    sudo apt-get purge docker-ce docker-ce-cli containerd.io docker-compose-plugin
    Fedora 
    sudo dnf remove docker-ce docker-ce-cli containerd.io docker-compose-plugin
    CentOS/RHEL 
    sudo yum remove docker-ce docker-ce-cli containerd.io docker-compose-plugin