Did you know that simply dragging AutoCAD to the Trash doesn't fully remove the app from your Mac? Many hidden files, caches, and support data stay behind and continue taking up valuable storage. These leftover files can cause problems when you try to reinstall AutoCAD, update to a newer version, or fix software errors.
That's why learning how to completely uninstall AutoCAD on Mac is so important. This guide shows exactly how to perform a thorough AutoCAD uninstallation on your Mac in just minutes.
When Mac users simply drag AutoCAD to the Trash, they're often unaware of a critical issue. This method doesn't perform a complete uninstall. Although the main application disappears, many support files remain scattered throughout your system, continuing to occupy valuable storage space.
The default uninstallation method only removes the primary application file from the Applications folder. Meanwhile, it leaves behind many components, including:
These leftover files are not harmless. They can consume a large amount of disk space and may cause errors, crashes, or conflicts if you try to reinstall AutoCAD or install a newer version later.
Does uninstalling AutoCAD delete files? The short answer is no. Dragging AutoCAD to the Trash only removes the app icon; the hidden files it created on your system remain.
After uninstalling, these locations often still contain AutoCAD data:
These remnants are the main reason users experience AutoCAD uninstall not working, reinstall crashes, or license issues.
Autodesk offers an official method to fully uninstall AutoCAD on Mac systems through their recommended manual cleanup process. This approach removes both the main application and its associated files scattered throughout your system.
➡️ Difficulty: Moderate | Time: 15–20 minutes | Success Rate: Thorough
For users seeking a complete AutoCAD removal without third-party tools, this official method provides a systematic approach. First, quit AutoCAD and any related processes before proceeding with these steps:
Step 1: Quit AutoCAD
Right-click AutoCAD in the Dock and click "Quit".
If it won't close, open Activity Monitor, select "AutoCAD", then click "Force Quit".
Step 2: Remove the AutoCAD App
Open "Finder", then open "Applications".
Open the "Autodesk" folder. Right-click "AutoCAD" and click "Move to Trash".
Step 3: Delete AutoCAD Leftover Files
Open "Finder", click Go, then click "Go to Folder".
Search for AutoCAD related leftover folders, such as: /Library/Application Support/Autodesk/
Delete AutoCAD-related files from these locations:
Step 4: Finish Uninstall
Empty the "Trash". Restart your Mac.
This completes the AutoCAD clean uninstall on Mac.
While this manual method is thorough, it requires careful navigation through system folders. Moreover, some users may find locating every related file challenging, especially those hidden in nested directories. The process demands attention to detail as accidentally deleting unrelated files could affect other applications.
Once completed, your system should be free of AutoCAD files, allowing for a clean reinstallation if needed. Nevertheless, this method still requires users to manually identify and remove files, which can be time-consuming compared to specialized uninstallation tools.
If you want the easiest and safest way to fully uninstall AutoCAD on Mac, using a professional tool is the best choice. Manual removal takes time and often misses hidden files. That is where Tenorshare Cleamio comes in.
Tenorshare Cleamio is an AI-powered Mac cleanup and app uninstaller. It can completely uninstall multiple apps in a batch, remove all related traces and leftover files, and even find previous leftovers from apps you already deleted. This makes it perfect when AutoCAD won't uninstall or when you want a clean reinstall without errors.
➡️ Difficulty: Easy | Time: 3 minutes | Cleanup Level: Complete
Why Use Cleamio for AutoCAD Uninstall?
With just one click, Tenorshare Cleamio ensures AutoCAD is gone completely, no leftovers, no errors, no wasted storage.
Steps to Clean Uninstall AutoCAD on Mac Using Cleamio
Launch Tenorshare Cleamio, go to "App Management" on the left, and click "Start".
Cleamio will scan and list all installed apps on your Mac. Once done, click "App Uninstallation", find "AutoCAD", and select it. You can also review related files like preferences and support files. Then click "Uninstall".
Wait for the process to complete. Once done, view the "Cleaning Log" or uninstall more apps if needed.
This method is ideal if you want an AutoCAD complete uninstall without manually searching hidden folders or risking system files.
Already uninstalled AutoCAD but suspect leftover files remain? Here's how to clean up those remnants on both Windows and Mac platforms.
Uninstalling AutoCAD on Windows often leaves behind folders and registry entries. To fully remove it, you must manually delete leftover files and clean the Windows Registry. This method works, but it requires care to avoid system errors.
➡️ Difficulty: Hard | Time: 30–45 minutes | Cleanup Level: High
Steps:
Press Win+R, type "regedit" and press "Enter"
Go to: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Autodesk
Right-click on AutoCAD folders and select "Delete".
Check these additional locations:
○ C:\Program Files\Autodesk
○ C:\Program Files (x86)\Autodesk
○ C:\Users[username]\AppData\Roaming\Autodesk
○ C:\Users[username]\AppData\Local\Autodesk
Be careful when editing the registry.
On macOS, AutoCAD files are scattered across multiple hidden folders. Instead of searching manually, Tenorshare Cleamio can automatically scan and remove all leftover AutoCAD files, even from previous uninstall attempts.
➡️ Difficulty: Easy | Time: About 3 minutes | Cleanup Level: Very High
Steps:
Launch Tenorshare Cleamio, go to "App Management", and click "Start" to scan your Mac.
Open "Residual Files". Review leftover AutoCAD files (Support Files, Caches, Others). Select the files you want to remove, then click "Clean" to begin the cleanup process.
Once cleaning is complete, click "OK" or view the "Cleaning Log" to see what was removed.
This method is safe, fast, and ideal if you want to clean up AutoCAD files on Mac without manually searching system folders.
Use Autodesk Uninstall Tool, then manually delete ProgramData and registry entries, or use a third-party uninstaller.
No, uninstalling AutoCAD does not delete your drawing files (DWG, DXF) unless they are stored inside Autodesk system folders. However, support files, caches, and preferences usually remain on your system.
Open Finder, press Command + Shift + G, and check Library folders such as Application Support, Caches, and Preferences. Delete files related to the uninstalled app.
Use the same process as in the current versions, but pay extra attention to version-specific folders. For optimal results, uninstall older versions completely before installing newer ones.
AutoCAD may fail to uninstall due to running background processes, permission issues, or corrupted installation files. Restart your computer, force-quit Autodesk services, or use a dedicated uninstaller to fix the issue.
On Mac, remove AutoCAD cache folders from ~/Library/Caches/Autodesk and GraphicsCache directories. Clearing these files helps fix performance issues and reduces storage usage.
Dragging AutoCAD to the Trash is not enough. If you want to know how to completely uninstall AutoCAD on Mac, you must remove hidden files, caches, and licensing data. Manual methods work but are time-consuming and risky. For a fast, safe, and reliable AutoCAD clean uninstall,Tenorshare Cleamiois highly recommended. It removes all leftover files in minutes and prepares your Mac for a flawless reinstall.
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