Virtualization

How to Completely Uninstall CrossOver on Mac

To remove the app, quit it and drag the icon to the Trash. However, this action alone does not delete your virtualized environments or settings. These remain on your Mac until you manually remove their associated folders.

Last updated: October 31, 20263 min read

Remove CrossOver and everything it leaves behind

CrossOver data usually takes 2 GB – 50 GB on a Mac. The free scan shows the exact size on your Mac before you change anything.

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Free scan · No account · Nothing is deleted without your OK · Moves to the Trash first · macOS 14+

Application: CrossOver
Typical data size: 2 GB – 50 GB
Category: Virtualization
File Location: ~/Library/Application Support/CrossOver

Manual cleanup steps

Quit the app completely (⌘+Q in the menu bar).
Move CrossOver from the Applications folder to the Trash.
Remove the folders CrossOver left behind, listed in the table below.
Empty the Trash to free up the space.

Everything CrossOver keeps on your Mac

3 locations. Tick each one as you remove it; back up anything marked as your data first.

~/Library/Application Support/CrossOver App data · CrossOver bottles, settings and support files Back up first: your data~/Library/Application Support/CrossOver/Bottles App data · bottles with installed Windows programs and their files Back up first: your data~/Library/Preferences/com.codeweavers.CrossOver.plist Settings · CrossOver app settings Yes, settings reset~/Library/Caches/com.codeweavers.CrossOver Cache · app cache and downloaded installer data Yes, rebuilt automatically

Locations are the standard macOS folders CrossOver uses; some appear only after you use the matching feature.

What CrossOver leaves behind

Specific to CrossOver

Dragging the app to the Trash preserves your bottles, which contain installed Windows programs and their files. Because the virtualization software puts each program in its own simulated drive, these directories occupy between 2 GB – 50 GB of space. Settings, licenses, and cached installer data also persist in the Library. Only emptying the Trash removes the application binary.

License: The license is attached to your CodeWeavers account and can be registered again after reinstalling.
Account and sync: Your CrossOver license is linked to your CodeWeavers account.

Preparing to uninstall CrossOver

Before removal, ensure you have backed up all personal files located inside the simulated Windows drives. You should handle internal program uninstalls through the app to avoid leaving orphaned data. Since the License is linked to your CodeWeavers account, it remains active for future use. Access hidden folders via Finder > Go > Go to Folder to find ~/Library/Application Support/CrossOver.

Copy saves and documents from inside your bottlesExport essential bottles to an archive using the appUninstall Windows launchers like game stores inside their respective bottlesQuit the app before moving it to the Trash

0 of 4 done

By hand or with OptiClear

	By hand	With OptiClear
Places to check	3 folders, one by one	One scan
File sizes	You look them up yourself	Shown for every item
Removing the wrong thing	Easy to delete the wrong folder	Goes to the Trash first, so it can be restored
Cost	Free	Scan is free; cleaning needs Pro (yearly plan has a 7-day free trial)

See it working

OptiClear — Scan overview — every category on one screen — Scan overview — every category on one screen

OptiClear — Privacy audit: what each app has been allowed to reach — Privacy audit: what each app has been allowed to reach

OptiClear — Large and aging files, ranked by what they cost you — Large and aging files, ranked by what they cost you

Try it without risk

Download and scan for freeSee every CrossOver file and its size. No account needed.
Clean free for 7 daysStart the 7-day free trial of the yearly plan inside the app.
Keep it or cancelCancel in your App Store settings at least 24 hours before the trial ends and you won't be charged.

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After the free trial, Pro costs $39.99 per year in your country's App Store; cancel any time.

Frequently asked questions

Not all of them. Folders marked “Back up first: your data” hold your own CrossOver data: back them up before removing them. Folders marked “Yes, rebuilt automatically” are rebuilt automatically; removing them only makes the next start slower. Folders marked “Yes, settings reset” hold settings, which return to their defaults.

Will I lose my license if I delete everything?

No, your license is attached to your CodeWeavers account and can be registered again later.

Why is there still so much disk space used after deleting the app?

The simulation bottles containing your Windows programs stay on the system until deleted separately.