Discord is a convenient platform for gamers and communities alike, but sometimes it’s necessary to uninstall it. Whether you are experiencing technical issues, seeking a break from the platform, or simply want to clear out unnecessary programs, uninstalling Discord can be a straightforward process. However, if you find yourself struggling to remove the application completely, this comprehensive guide will provide you with step-by-step instructions to ensure a seamless uninstallation.
Before embarking on the uninstallation process, it’s worth noting that Discord stores user data and settings within the application’s folder. If you intend to reinstall Discord in the future, it’s advisable to back up this data by navigating to the Discord user data folder. This folder typically resides in the following location: %appdata%\Discord. Simply copy and paste the contents of this folder to a safe location to preserve your settings and data.
Once you have taken the necessary precautions, you can proceed with uninstalling Discord. The process varies slightly depending on your operating system, so we will cover the steps for both Windows and macOS. If you are using Windows, you can uninstall Discord through the Control Panel or Settings app. In the Control Panel, select “Programs and Features” and search for “Discord.” Click on it and choose “Uninstall.” In the Settings app, navigate to “Apps” and locate “Discord.” Click on it and select “Uninstall.” For macOS users, open a Finder window and navigate to the Applications folder. Locate the Discord app, right-click on it, and select “Move to Trash.” Empty the Trash to complete the uninstallation.
Step-by-Step Guide to Uninstalling Discord
1. Close Discord and Find the Uninstaller
Before starting the uninstallation process, it’s essential to close all instances of Discord running in the background. You can do this by right-clicking the Discord icon in the system tray (usually located near the clock) and selecting “Quit Discord.”
Next, locate the Discord uninstaller. On Windows, you can find it in the “Control Panel” under “Programs and Features.” For Mac users, navigate to the “Applications” folder and find Discord. Right-click on the Discord icon and select “Move to Trash.”
On Linux, the uninstaller is typically located in the directory where Discord was installed. Run the uninstaller with the appropriate command for your distribution (e.g., “sudo apt remove discord” or “sudo yum remove discord”).
| Platform | Uninstaller Location |
|---|---|
| Windows | Control Panel > Programs and Features |
| Mac | Applications folder |
| Linux | Installation directory (e.g., /usr/local/bin/discord) |
2. Uninstall Discord
Once the uninstaller is located, follow the on-screen instructions to proceed with the uninstallation. On Windows, click the “Uninstall” button. For Mac users, drag the Discord icon to the Trash bin. On Linux, run the uninstaller command with sudo privileges.
3. Delete Remaining Files and Folders (Optional)
After running the uninstaller, there may be residual files or folders associated with Discord left on your system. To remove these, navigate to the following directories and delete any Discord-related files or folders you find:
| Platform | Directory |
|---|---|
| Windows | %AppData%\Discord |
| Mac | ~/Library/Application Support/Discord |
| Linux | ~/.config/discord |
Deleting these remaining files is optional, but it ensures that all traces of Discord are removed from your computer.
Removing Discord from Windows Systems
To uninstall Discord from your Windows system, follow these steps:
1. Using the Control Panel
1. Open the Control Panel by searching for it in the Windows search bar.
2. Click on “Programs and Features.”
3. Find Discord in the list of programs, select it, and click on “Uninstall.”
4. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the uninstallation process.
2. Using the Settings App
1. Open the Settings app by pressing Windows Key + I.
2. Go to “Apps.”
3. Select “Apps & features” from the left sidebar.
4. Find Discord in the list of apps, click on it, and select “Uninstall.”
5. Click on “Uninstall” again to confirm your selection and complete the process.
Alternatively, you can also uninstall Discord using the command prompt or PowerShell. However, these methods are more advanced and require some technical knowledge to execute properly. If you are not comfortable using the command line, it is recommended to use the Control Panel or Settings app instead.
3. Deleting Discord Folder
After uninstalling Discord using any of the methods above, you may want to manually delete the Discord folder located in the following directory:
| Windows 7, 8, 10 |
|---|
| C:\Users\[Your User]\AppData\Local\Discord |
Deleting this folder will remove any remaining Discord files and settings from your system.
Uninstalling Discord on macOS Devices
To uninstall Discord on your macOS device, follow these steps:
Locate and Delete the Application File
1. Open the Applications folder on your Mac.
2. Locate the Discord application file and drag it to the Trash.
3. Empty the Trash to permanently delete the application.
Remove Support Files
After deleting the main application file, you need to remove the associated support files. These files typically include preferences, cache, and logs:
| File Location | File Name Pattern |
|---|---|
| ~/Library/Preferences | com.discordapp.discord*.plist |
| ~/Library/Application Support/Discord | Discord* |
| ~/Library/Caches/Discord | Discord* |
| ~/Library/Logs/Discord | Discord* |
To locate these files, use the Finder’s “Go to Folder” feature (⌘ + Shift + G). Enter the file paths listed in the table and delete any matching files.
Clear App Store Cache
If you downloaded Discord from the App Store, it’s recommended to clear the App Store cache to ensure complete removal:
1. Quit the App Store if it’s open.
2. Press the Option (⌥) key and click on the Apple menu.
3. Select “Library” from the drop-down menu.
4. Open the “Caches” folder.
5. Locate the “com.apple.appstore” folder and delete it.
6. Restart the App Store.
Eliminating Discord from Mobile Devices
iOS Devices
1. Begin by locating the Discord app icon on your iOS device’s home screen.
2. Long-press the icon until the contextual menu appears, revealing the option to “Delete App”.
3. Select “Delete App” and confirm the action to uninstall Discord from your iOS device.
Android Devices
1. Open the Google Play Store app on your Android device.
2. Tap the hamburger icon in the top-left corner and navigate to “My apps & games”.
3. Locate the Discord app in the list and tap on it.
4. On the app details page, tap the “Uninstall” button to remove Discord from your Android device.
Additional Uninstallation Methods for Android Devices
| Method | Steps |
|---|---|
| Settings menu | – Open the Settings app on your Android device. – Navigate to “Apps & notifications” or “All apps”. – Find the Discord app and tap on it. – Select the “Uninstall” button to remove Discord. |
| App drawer | – Open the app drawer on your Android device. – Long-press the Discord app icon until the contextual menu appears. – Select the “Uninstall” option to remove Discord. |
1. Where to Find Discord’s Uninstall Files
On Windows, you can find Discord’s uninstall files in the Control Panel. Go to “Programs and Features,” find Discord in the list of installed programs, and click “Uninstall.”
On macOS, open the Finder and navigate to the “Applications” folder. Find Discord, right-click on it, and select “Move to Trash.”
On Linux, open a terminal window and type the following command: sudo apt-get remove discord
2. Force Quit Discord Before Uninstalling
If Discord is running when you try to uninstall it, you may get an error message. To force quit Discord, press Ctrl+Alt+Del (Windows) or Command+Option+Esc (macOS) and select “Task Manager” or “Force Quit.” Find Discord in the list of running processes and click “End Task” or “Force Quit.”
3. Delete Discord’s Leftover Files and Folders
Even after you uninstall Discord, some of its files and folders may remain on your computer. To delete these leftovers, open File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (macOS). Navigate to the following locations and delete any Discord-related files and folders:
| Windows | macOS |
|---|---|
| %appdata%/Discord | ~/Library/Application Support/Discord |
4. Reinstall Discord
If you’re having problems uninstalling Discord, you can try reinstalling it. This will overwrite the existing Discord files and fix any corrupted or missing files. To reinstall Discord, go to the Discord website and download the latest version for your operating system.
5. Troubleshooting Common Discord Uninstall Issues
Error Message: “Discord is currently running. Please close Discord and try again.”
This error message means that Discord is still running in the background. Force quit Discord using the steps described in Step 2 and then try uninstalling again.
Error Message: “The file or directory is corrupted and unreadable.”
This error message indicates that one of Discord’s files is corrupted. Try deleting the Discord leftovers as described in Step 3 and then reinstalling Discord.
Error Message: “You do not have sufficient privileges to uninstall Discord.”
This error message means that you do not have administrator privileges on your computer. Log in as an administrator and try uninstalling Discord again.
If you are still having problems uninstalling Discord, you can contact Discord support for assistance.
Locating the Discord Uninstall File
To uninstall Discord, you must locate the uninstall file. The location of the file may vary depending on your operating system. Here’s a guide to help you find the uninstall file on different platforms:
Windows
1. Open the Start menu and search for “Control Panel.”
2. In Control Panel, click on “Programs and Features.”
3. In the list of installed programs, find “Discord” and click on it.
4. Click on the “Uninstall” button at the top of the window.
macOS
1. Open the Finder.
2. In the menu bar, click on “Go” and then “Applications.”
3. Find the “Discord” app in the Applications folder.
4. Drag the Discord app to the Trash.
Linux
1. Open the Terminal app.
2. Type the following command:
sudo apt-get remove discord3. Hit Enter and enter your password.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the uninstallation.
Additional Notes for Windows Users
If you installed Discord using the Microsoft Store, you can uninstall it directly from the store. Here’s how:
- Open the Microsoft Store
- Click on the three dots in the top-right corner and select “My library.”
- Find “Discord” in the list of installed apps.
- Click on the three dots next to “Discord” and select “Uninstall.”
Identifying Discord Cache and App Data Folders
Discord stores various types of data, including cache and app data, in specific folders on your computer. Knowing the location of these folders is crucial for troubleshooting and manual uninstallation.
Discord Cache Folder
The Discord cache folder holds temporary data such as images, videos, and user settings. Clearing this folder can resolve certain issues with the app.
- Windows: %AppData%\Discord\Cache
- macOS: ~/Library/Application Support/discord/Cache
- Linux: ~/.config/discord/Cache
Discord App Data Folder
The Discord app data folder contains essential configuration files, user data, and logs. Modifying or deleting the contents of this folder can affect the functionality of the app.
- Windows: %AppData%\Discord
- macOS: ~/Library/Application Support/discord
- Linux: ~/.config/discord
Discord Logs Folder
Discord generates log files to record events and errors. These files can be useful for debugging issues.
- Windows: %AppData%\Discord\Logs
- macOS: ~/Library/Application Support/discord/Logs
- Linux: ~/.config/discord/Logs
Discord Keybinds Folder
Discord allows users to customize keybinds for various actions. These keybinds are stored in a dedicated folder.
- Windows: %AppData%\Discord\Keybinds
- macOS: ~/Library/Application Support/discord/Keybinds
- Linux: ~/.config/discord/Keybinds
Discord Themes Folder
Discord supports custom themes, which are stored in a separate folder.
- Windows: %AppData%\Discord\Themes
- macOS: ~/Library/Application Support/discord/Themes
- Linux: ~/.config/discord/Themes
Discord Dependency Manifest Folder
Discord relies on various dependencies, which are managed by Electron. The dependency manifest folder contains information about these dependencies.
- Windows: %AppData%\Discord\deps
- macOS: ~/Library/Application Support/discord/deps
- Linux: ~/.config/discord/deps
Discord Settings Folder
The Discord settings folder stores user-specific preferences and configurations.
- Windows: %AppData%\Discord\Settings
- macOS: ~/Library/Application Support/discord/Settings
- Linux: ~/.config/discord/Settings
Additional Notes:
- The percentage sign (%) in Windows paths represents the user’s AppData folder, which may vary depending on the user.
- On macOS, the
~symbol represents the user’s home directory. - The folders listed above may not exist if Discord has never been installed or launched on the computer.
Verifying Successful Discord Uninstallation
Checking Task Manager
Open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc) and verify that no Discord-related processes are running. Go to the “Processes” tab and look for any entries with “Discord” in the name. If any are found, end the processes.
Searching Program Files
Navigate to the Program Files folder (usually “C:\Program Files”) and search for “Discord.” If any Discord-related folders or files remain, delete them.
Confirming Registry Cleanup
Press Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog box. Type “regedit” and press Enter. Navigate to the following registry keys and delete any entries related to Discord:
| Registry Key | Value to Delete |
|---|---|
| HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Discord | Discord |
| HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Discord | Discord |
Checking AppData Folder
Open File Explorer and navigate to the AppData folder (usually “C:\Users\[Your Username]\AppData”). Delete any folders or files related to Discord in the following locations:
- Roaming\Discord
- Local\Discord
- LocalLow\Discord
Searching Startup Programs
Open the Start menu and search for “Startup.” In the list of startup programs, disable any entries related to Discord. This will prevent it from automatically launching at startup.
Checking Control Panel
Open the Control Panel and go to “Programs and Features.” Find Discord in the list of installed programs and click “Uninstall.” Follow the prompts to complete the uninstallation.
Using Third-Party Software
If the manual steps above do not fully remove Discord, you can use third-party software such as Revo Uninstaller or IObit Uninstaller to scan for and remove any remaining Discord files and registry entries.
Step 1: Close Discord
Make sure Discord is completely closed before uninstalling it. You can do this by right-clicking on the Discord icon on your taskbar and selecting “Quit”.
Step 2: Open Control Panel
Open the Control Panel by searching for it in the Start menu or by pressing the Windows key + R and typing “control”.
Step 3: Uninstall Discord
Under the “Programs” section, select “Uninstall a program”. Find Discord in the list of programs and click the “Uninstall” button.
Step 4: Confirm Uninstallation
A confirmation window will appear. Click “Yes” to confirm that you want to uninstall Discord.
Step 5: Restart Your Computer
After Discord is uninstalled, restart your computer to complete the process.
Reinstalling Discord After Uninstallation
Step 6: Download Discord
Visit the Discord website and click the “Download” button. Select the appropriate version of Discord for your operating system.
Step 7: Install Discord
Double-click the downloaded file to start the installation process. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.
Step 8: Log In to Discord
Open Discord and log in with your account credentials. Your previous settings and data should be restored automatically.
Note: If you encounter any issues during the reinstallation process, try uninstalling Discord and then manually deleting the following folders:
| Folder Location |
|---|
| %appdata%\Discord |
| %localappdata%\Discord |
After deleting these folders, restart your computer and reinstall Discord.
1. Completely Quit Discord:
Make sure to fully quit Discord before attempting the uninstallation process. This ensures that no Discord-related processes are running in the background, preventing a complete deletion.
2. Close All Discord-Related Processes:
Use the Task Manager to manually close any remaining Discord processes. This includes tasks such as Discord, DiscordUpdater, and DiscordHelper.
3. Remove Discord’s AppData Folder:
Go to %appdata% and delete the “Discord” folder to remove Discord’s configuration and cache settings.
4. Delete Discord’s Program Files Folder:
Navigate to the “Program Files” folder and remove the “Discord” folder, which contains the program’s executable files and libraries.
5. Utilize the Windows Control Panel:
Open the Control Panel and go to “Programs and Features” to locate and uninstall Discord using the standard Windows uninstaller.
6. Employ Third-Party Uninstallers:
Consider using third-party uninstallers like Revo Uninstaller or IObit Uninstaller, which provide deep scanning capabilities to remove residual files and registry entries.
7. Clean Your Registry:
Use the Windows Registry Editor (regedit) to manually search for and delete any remaining Discord-related registry entries under “HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software” and “HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software”.
8. Clear Discord’s AppData and ProgramData Folders:
Check for any remaining Discord files in the “C:\Users\%USERNAME%\AppData\Roaming\Discord” and “C:\ProgramData\Discord” folders, and delete them if found.
9. Reboot Your Computer:
Restart your computer after completing the uninstallation steps to ensure all changes take effect and any temporary files are removed.
10. Verify Your Discord Uninstallation:
Open the “Run” dialogue box by pressing Windows Key + R and type “%programfiles%\Discord” to check if the Discord folder exists. If it doesn’t, Discord has been successfully uninstalled. Additionally, search for Discord in your Start Menu or Task Manager to ensure no residual processes remain active.
How to Uninstall Discord
Discord is a popular VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) and instant messaging platform primarily designed for gamers. However, if you no longer need or want Discord, uninstalling it is a straightforward process.
Here is a step-by-step guide to uninstall Discord on different platforms:
Windows
- Open the Windows Control Panel from the Start menu.
- Click on “Programs and Features.”
- Find Discord in the list of installed programs.
- Click on Discord and select “Uninstall.”
- Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the uninstallation.
Mac
- Go to the Applications folder.
- Find the Discord app and drag it to the Trash.
- Empty the Trash to complete the uninstallation.
Linux
The specific method for uninstalling Discord on Linux may vary depending on the distribution you are using. However, the following general steps should work:
- Open a terminal window.
- Use the appropriate package manager for your distribution to remove Discord.
- For example, on Ubuntu-based distributions, you would use the following command:
sudo apt remove discord - Follow any additional prompts to complete the uninstallation.
People Also Ask About How to Uninstall Discord
Can I recover deleted Discord messages?
No, once Discord messages are deleted, they cannot be recovered. Discord does not have a built-in feature to restore deleted messages, and there are no third-party tools or services that can reliably do so.
How do I delete my Discord account?
To delete your Discord account, you need to visit the Discord website and follow these steps:
- Log in to your Discord account.
- Click on the User Settings icon in the bottom left corner.
- Scroll down and click on “Delete Account.”
- Confirm that you want to delete your account and follow the on-screen prompts.
How do I reinstall Discord?
To reinstall Discord, simply download the latest version of the app from the Discord website and install it. Your previous settings and data will be automatically restored if you log in with the same account.
