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How can I remove WhatsApp from my laptop?

WhatsApp is a popular messaging app that allows you to send messages, photos, videos and make calls over the internet. The WhatsApp desktop app lets you use WhatsApp on your laptop or desktop computer. If you no longer want WhatsApp on your laptop, you can easily uninstall it.

Why Would You Want to Remove WhatsApp from Your Laptop?

Here are some common reasons you may want to uninstall WhatsApp from your laptop:

  • You don’t use WhatsApp on your computer anymore and want to free up space.
  • You are getting a new laptop and don’t need to transfer WhatsApp.
  • You want to uninstall and reinstall WhatsApp to troubleshoot problems.
  • You need to log out of WhatsApp on your laptop for privacy reasons.

How to Uninstall WhatsApp on Windows

Follow these steps to remove WhatsApp from a Windows laptop:

  1. Open the Start menu and go to Settings > Apps.
  2. In the Apps & features page, search for “WhatsApp”.
  3. Select WhatsApp and click Uninstall.
  4. Confirm that you want to uninstall WhatsApp by clicking Uninstall again.
  5. If prompted, enter your administrator password to complete the uninstall process.
  6. Once WhatsApp is uninstalled, restart your computer.

Uninstall WhatsApp Using Control Panel

You can also uninstall WhatsApp using the Control Panel:

  1. Open Control Panel from the Start menu.
  2. Click Programs > Programs and Features.
  3. Select WhatsApp Desktop and click Uninstall.
  4. Confirm the uninstall by clicking Yes.
  5. Enter your admin password if prompted.
  6. Restart your laptop after uninstall is complete.

How to Uninstall WhatsApp on Mac

Follow these steps to remove WhatsApp from a Mac:

  1. Locate WhatsApp in your Applications folder and drag it to the Trash.
  2. Alternatively, right-click on WhatsApp and select Move to Trash.
  3. Open Finder and click on Go > Go to Folder.
  4. Type /Library/Preferences and press Enter.
  5. Drag the com.whatsapp.WhatsApp.plist file to the Trash.
  6. Empty the Trash to completely remove WhatsApp.
  7. Restart your Mac for the changes to take effect.

Use App Cleaner Tool to Uninstall

You can also use a specialized app like AppCleaner to uninstall WhatsApp:

  1. Download and install AppCleaner.
  2. Open AppCleaner and drag WhatsApp to the interface.
  3. Click Delete.
  4. Confirm that you want to uninstall WhatsApp.
  5. Restart your Mac when prompted to complete the uninstall.

What Happens When You Uninstall WhatsApp on Your Laptop

Here is what happens when you uninstall WhatsApp from your computer:

  • The WhatsApp app will be removed from your laptop.
  • All WhatsApp data, messages, files will be erased.
  • Your WhatsApp account will remain intact on your phone.
  • You can still use WhatsApp on your phone and web.
  • Your WhatsApp backup on Google Drive or iCloud will remain unchanged.
  • Your WhatsApp contacts’ info will remain on your phone.
  • You can reinstall WhatsApp desktop anytime and use the same account.

What Data is Removed?

Uninstalling WhatsApp removes the following data from your computer:

  • The WhatsApp app and program files.
  • Your WhatsApp chat history and messages.
  • Your WhatsApp media files – photos, videos, voice messages, documents.
  • WhatsApp settings and preferences.
  • Your WhatsApp contacts list.
  • Any WhatsApp call history or logs.

What Data is Retained?

The following WhatsApp data will remain intact after uninstalling from your laptop:

  • Your WhatsApp account and profile.
  • All WhatsApp data on your phone or web.
  • Your WhatsApp chat backup on Google Drive or iCloud.
  • Your WhatsApp contacts which remain on your phone.
  • Any media backups you have on Google Photos or iCloud.

How to Reinstall WhatsApp on Your Laptop

If you change your mind later, you can easily reinstall WhatsApp using these steps:

On Windows

  1. Go to www.whatsapp.com/download and click Download for Windows.
  2. Open the WhatsApp setup file and click Yes to install.
  3. WhatsApp will be installed in the same location it was before.
  4. Open WhatsApp and log in using the same phone number.
  5. Your chat history will automatically sync from your WhatsApp backup.

On Mac

  1. Go to www.whatsapp.com/download and get WhatsApp for Mac.
  2. Install WhatsApp by dragging to Applications folder.
  3. Launch WhatsApp and enter your phone number to log in.
  4. Give permission to sync your chats from iCloud or Google Drive backup.
  5. Your WhatsApp chats and data will be restored.

FAQs about Removing WhatsApp from Laptop

Does uninstalling WhatsApp on laptop also remove it from my phone?

No, uninstalling WhatsApp only removes it from your laptop. Your WhatsApp account and data remain unchanged on your phone.

Can I backup my WhatsApp chats before uninstalling?

Yes, you can backup your WhatsApp messages and media to Google Drive or iCloud before uninstalling it from your laptop.

Will my WhatsApp Web remain logged in after uninstalling desktop app?

No, uninstalling the desktop app logs you out of WhatsApp web. You will need to scan the QR code again to use WhatsApp Web.

Can I restore my chat history if I reinstall WhatsApp?

Yes, when you reinstall WhatsApp and log in, your chat history will automatically restore from your Google Drive or iCloud backup.

Will uninstalling WhatsApp on my laptop also delete my messages?

Yes, uninstalling WhatsApp removes all your local WhatsApp messages, media files, and settings from the laptop. However, your chat backup remains saved.

Conclusion

Uninstalling WhatsApp from your Windows or Mac laptop is simple and erases all local app data and your chat history. However, your account and backups remain intact allowing you to reinstall later. Remember to backup chats before removing WhatsApp. With these easy steps, you can cleanly remove WhatsApp when required from your computer.