Carbonite Uninstall: Step-by-Step Guide to Remove Carbonite Safely

Sometimes, you may need to remove Carbonite from your computer — whether you’re switching backup solutions, troubleshooting software issues, or reinstalling. Properly uninstalling Carbonite ensures no leftover files interfere with your system or future installations.

This guide explains how to uninstall Carbonite safely from both Windows and Mac, including cleaning leftover files and solving common uninstall issues.

Why You Might Need to Uninstall Carbonite

• Switching to a different backup service

• Reinstalling to fix software errors

• Upgrading to a new version or device

• Freeing up system resources

Uninstalling incorrectly can cause leftover files to remain, sometimes causing activation or installation problems in the future.

How to Uninstall Carbonite on Windows

Step 1: Stop Carbonite Backup

1. Locate the Carbonite icon in the system tray.

2. Right-click and select Exit or Pause Backup.

3. Ensure the program is not running.

Step 2: Open Control Panel

1. Press Windows + R and type control.

2. Click Programs → Programs and Features.

Step 3: Uninstall Carbonite

1. Find Carbonite in the program list.

2. Click Uninstall.

3. Follow the on-screen prompts to remove the software.

Step 4: Restart Your Computer

Restart to ensure all services are stopped and files are released.

How to Uninstall Carbonite on Mac

Step 1: Quit Carbonite

1. Open Carbonite from the menu bar.

2. Select Quit Carbonite.

3. Confirm backup is paused.

Step 2: Remove the Application

1. Open the Applications folder.

2. Drag Carbonite to the Trash.

3. Empty the Trash to complete removal.

Step 3: Remove Supporting Files (Optional but Recommended)

• Open Finder → Go → Go to Folder…

• Enter ~/Library/Application Support/Carbonite and delete the folder.

• Also check ~/Library/Preferences/ for any Carbonite plist files.

How to Remove Leftover Files on Windows

Even after uninstalling, some files may remain:

1. Navigate to C:\Program Files\Carbonite or C:\Program Files (x86)\Carbonite.

2. Delete any leftover folders.

3. Optional: Run a registry cleaner to remove obsolete entries (advanced users only).

Reinstalling Carbonite After Uninstall

If your goal is to reinstall Carbonite:

1. Complete the uninstall process.

2. Restart your computer.

3. Download the latest version from your Carbonite account.

4. Install and sign in.

5. Restore backups if needed.

Common Uninstall Problems & Fixes

🔹 Cannot Uninstall Carbonite

Fix:

• Ensure backup service is stopped.

• Run uninstaller as Administrator (Windows) or use Finder with admin privileges (Mac).

• Restart computer and try again.

🔹 Files Remaining After Uninstall

Fix:

• Manually remove folders from Application Support or Program Files.

• Check Registry (Windows) for leftover entries.

• Empty Trash (Mac).

🔹 Unable to Reinstall

Fix:

• Remove all leftover files.

• Restart system.

• Download the latest installer from your account.

• Run as Administrator.

Tips for a Smooth Carbonite Uninstall

• Always pause or stop backup before uninstalling.

• Restart your computer after uninstall.

• Check for leftover files to prevent future conflicts.

• Backup any remaining unsynced files manually before uninstalling.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will uninstalling Carbonite delete my cloud backups?

No. Cloud backups remain intact in your account. You can reinstall or restore from another device.

Do I need admin rights to uninstall?

Yes, Administrator privileges are required on both Windows and Mac.

Can I uninstall if Carbonite is currently backing up?

No. Stop or pause backup before uninstalling to avoid errors.

How do I reinstall after uninstalling?

Download the latest installer from your Carbonite dashboard, install, and sign in.

Final Thoughts

Uninstalling Carbonite is straightforward if done carefully. Proper removal ensures no leftover files interfere with future backups or installations.

Key steps to remember:

1. Stop or pause Carbonite backup

2. Use Control Panel (Windows) or Applications folder (Mac) to uninstall

3. Delete leftover files for a clean system

4. Restart computer

Following this guide will leave your system ready for a fresh installation or an alternative backup solution.