How to Uninstall Brave Browser Completely [Windows & Mac]

Brave Browser, developed by Brave Software, Inc., is a popular privacy-focused web browser built on the Chromium engine and is known for blocking ads and trackers by default. While many users appreciate its speed and security features, some may decide to uninstall it for various reasons. You might prefer another browser, face compatibility issues, or simply want to free up storage space on your device.

When you uninstall Brave using the standard method, the main program files are removed. However, some data may remain on your device. These include user profiles, bookmarks, cache files, saved passwords, extensions, and system configuration files.

To ensure complete removal, you must perform three main actions. First, uninstall the application through the official system settings. Second, manually delete remaining files and folders from hidden directories. Third, clean up any related system entries and restart your device.

In this guide, you will learn how to uninstall Brave Browser completely from Windows and Mac.

So, let’s start!

How to Uninstall Brave Browser Completely [Windows & Mac]

To uninstall Brave Browser completely, first remove it from your system using the built-in uninstall option in Windows Settings or Mac Applications. Then delete leftover folders such as AppData, Library, and user profile data. Finally, clear registry entries on Windows if necessary and restart your device to ensure full removal.

Now, learn the complete removal on different operating systems.

How to Uninstall Brave Browser Completely on Windows

Step 1: Close Brave Browser Completely

Before uninstalling, make sure Brave Browser is fully closed. Open the Task Manager by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc. Check under the Processes tab for any Brave-related tasks. If you see Brave running in the background, select it and click End Task. This ensures no files are in use during the uninstall process.

Step 2: Uninstall Brave Using Windows Settings

Open Windows Settings by pressing Windows + I. Click on Apps and then select Installed Apps or Apps and Features, depending on your version of Windows. Scroll through the list until you find Brave Browser.

Click on Brave and select Uninstall. Follow the on-screen instructions. During the process, you may see an option to delete browsing data. Make sure to check this option if available to remove user data along with the program.

Wait for the uninstallation process to complete.

Step 3: Delete Remaining Brave Folders from AppData

Even after uninstalling, some files may remain in hidden folders.

Open File Explorer and click on the address bar. Type the following path and press Enter:

C:\Users\YourUserName\AppData\Local

Find the folder named BraveSoftware and delete it.

Next, go to:

C:\Users\YourUserName\AppData\Roaming

If you see a BraveSoftware folder here, delete it as well.

These folders contain cache files, user profiles, and configuration settings. Removing them ensures that no residual data is left behind.

Step 4: Remove Program Files Folder

Navigate to:

C:\Program Files

Look for any folder related to Brave. If it exists, delete it.

Also check:

C:\Program Files (x86)

Delete any Brave-related folder found there.

This step ensures that all installation files are removed.

Step 5: Clean the Windows Registry

Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog box. Type regedit and press Enter to open the Registry Editor.

Use the search function by pressing Ctrl + F, and type BraveSoftware. Carefully delete entries related to Brave if found.

Be cautious while editing the registry. Deleting unrelated entries can cause system issues. If you are unsure, create a backup before making changes.

Step 6: Restart Your Computer

After deleting all files and registry entries, restart your system. Restarting ensures that any temporary files or background services related to Brave are completely cleared.

How to Uninstall Brave Browser Completely on Mac

Step 1: Quit Brave Browser

Click on Brave in the menu bar and select Quit Brave. You can also press Command + Q. To ensure it is not running in the background, open Activity Monitor and check for Brave processes. If found, force quit them.

Step 2: Move Brave to Trash

Open Finder and go to the Applications folder. Locate Brave Browser. Right-click on it and select Move to Trash.

Alternatively, drag the Brave icon to the Trash bin.

After that, empty the Trash to remove the main application file.

Step 3: Delete Brave Library Files

To remove leftover files, open Finder and click on Go in the top menu. Select Go to Folder.

Type the following path:

~/Library/Application Support/

Look for the BraveSoftware folder and delete it.

Next, check:

~/Library/Caches/

Delete any Brave-related cache folder.

Then check:

~/Library/Preferences/

Delete files related to Brave.

These folders store user settings, cache data, and preferences. Removing them ensures complete uninstallation.

Step 4: Restart Your Mac

Restart your Mac to finalize the removal process. This clears temporary system files and ensures Brave is completely removed.

FAQs

Does uninstalling Brave delete bookmarks?

If you select the option to remove browsing data during uninstall, bookmarks will be deleted. If not, they may remain in the AppData or Library folders until manually removed.

Can I reinstall Brave after uninstalling it?

Yes, you can reinstall Brave Browser anytime by downloading it again from the official website of Brave Software, Inc. If you removed all residual files, it will behave like a fresh installation.

Why is Brave still showing in the default browser settings?

Sometimes, Windows or Mac may still list Brave temporarily. Restarting your system usually fixes this. If not, ensure all related files and registry entries are removed.

Is it safe to delete Brave folders manually?

Yes, it is safe if you are deleting only folders related to Brave. Be careful when editing the Windows registry to avoid deleting unrelated entries.

Do I need third-party uninstaller software?

In most cases, manual removal is sufficient. However, advanced users may choose third-party uninstallers to automatically remove leftover files.