How to Uninstall Citrix: A Step-by-Step Guide for Windows, macOS and Linux

Uninstalling Citrix on Windows

Standard Uninstallation Process

The standard steps for uninstallation are as follows:

1. Access the Control Panel:

Press Win + S , then type "Control Panel," and press Enter.

2. Navigate to Programs:

• Click on "Programs" and then "Programs and Features."

3. Locate Citrix Workspace:

• Scroll through the list to find "Citrix Workspace" or "Citrix Receiver."

4. Initiate Uninstallation:

• Right-click on the application and select "Uninstall."

5. Follow the Prompts:

• Proceed with the on-screen instructions to complete the uninstallation.

Note: This method may leave residual files or registry entries. For a more thorough removal, consider the advanced method below.

Advanced Uninstallation Using Citrix Cleanup Utility

For a comprehensive removal, Citrix provides the Receiver Cleanup Utility:

1. Download the Cleanup Utility:

Visit the Citrix support page to download the Receiver Cleanup Utility.

2. Run the Utility:

Execute the downloaded file. The utility will scan for and remove all Citrix components.

3. Restart Your Computer:

After the utility completes its process, reboot your system to finalize the uninstallation.

Note: Ensure all Citrix applications are closed before running the utility to prevent potential issues.

Uninstalling Citrix on macOS

Using the .dmg Installer

If you have the original Citrix Workspace .dmg file:

1. Open the .dmg File:

Locate and open the CitrixWorkspaceApp.dmg file.

2. Launch the Uninstaller:

Inside the mounted volume, select "Uninstall Citrix Workspace App."

3. Follow On-Screen Instructions:

Proceed with the prompts to complete the uninstallation.

Note: If the .dmg file is unavailable, you can download it again from the Citrix Downloads page.

Manual Uninstallation via Terminal

For a command-line approach:

1. Open Terminal:

Navigate to Applications > Utilities > Terminal .

2. Execute Uninstallation Command:

Input the following command:

sudo /Library/Application\ Support/Citrix\ Receiver/Uninstall\ Citrix\ Workspace.app/Contents/MacOS/Uninstall\ Citrix\ Workspace

3. Authenticate:

Enter your administrator password when prompted.

4. Completion:

The system will remove Citrix Workspace and its associated files.

Note: Ensure no Citrix processes are running during this process to avoid errors.

Uninstalling Citrix on Linux

The uninstallation process varies based on the Linux distribution:

Debian/Ubuntu

1. Open Terminal:

Press Ctrl + Alt + T to launch the terminal.

2. Remove the Package:

Execute:

sudo apt remove icaclient -y

3. Remove Dependencies:

To remove associated dependencies:

sudo apt autoremove -y

4. Purge Configuration Files (Optional):

For a complete removal:

sudo apt purge icaclient -y

Fedora/RHEL/CentOS

1. Open Terminal:

Access the terminal from your applications menu.

2. Remove the Package:

Execute:

sudo yum remove icaclient -y

Note: Replace yum with dnf if your system uses DNF as the package manager.

Verification Steps for a Successful Uninstallation

After completing the uninstallation process, it will be essential to ensure that all components have been entirely removed to prevent potential conflicts or residual issues. Here is how to verify a successful uninstallation:

Check for Residual Files:

1. Windows:

• Navigate to C:\Program Files\ and C:\Program Files (x86)\ directories to ensure no Citrix folders remain. If you do find any folders named 'Citrix', delete them.
• Check C:\Users\\AppData\Local\ and C:\Users\\AppData\Roaming\ for any Citrix-related folders and remove them.

2. macOS:

• Open Finder and select Go > Go to Folder... . Enter ~/Library/ and search for any Citrix-related folders in Application Support, Preferences and Caches. For example, look in ~/Library/Application Support/ and ~/Library/Preferences/ for any Citrix-related files.. Delete any that you find.

3. Linux:

• Check your home directory and /opt/ or your home directory for any Citrix-related directories and remove them.

Delete Remove Residual Files from Windows:

If you find any, it is important to manually delete remaining Citrix-related files or directories.

Registry Check:

Other folders to check in a final Registry Check (Windows Only):

1. Press Win + R , type regedit , and press Enter.
2. Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\ and HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\ to ensure no Citrix entries remain.
3. Restart Your Computer: Reboot your system to ensure all changes take effect and that no residual processes are left running.

By meticulously following these steps, you can ensure that Citrix Workspace or Receiver is completely removed from your system, paving the way for a clean reinstallation if desired or to prevent potential conflicts with other software.

Common Issues and Troubleshooting During Uninstallation

Uninstalling Citrix software can sometimes present challenges. Below are common issues encountered during the uninstallation process and their respective troubleshooting steps:​

"Citrix Won't Uninstall" Error – Forcing Uninstallation of Citrix Components

As seen above, if standard uninstallation methods fail, forcing the removal of Citrix components may be necessary:​

1. Use the Citrix Cleanup Utility:
   • Download the Citrix Receiver Cleanup Utility provided by Citrix.​
   • Run the utility with administrative privileges to ensure all components are targeted.​
   • After completion, restart your computer to finalize the removal process.​
2. Manual Removal: As above, if the cleanup utility doesn't resolve the issue, manual deletion of Citrix files and registry entries may be required.​ Caution: Editing the registry can have unintended consequences. Ensure you back up the registry before making changes.​

For detailed guidance, refer to Citrix's official documentation on removing components.​

Leftover Registry Entries or Files – Manually Removing Residual Citrix Components

Residual files and registry entries can hinder system performance. Delete them as described above. For additional troubleshooting, consult Citrix articles published online concerning removing Citrix and its client files.​ By addressing these common issues with the outlined steps, you can effectively manage the uninstallation of Citrix software, maintaining system integrity and performance.

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Concluding Thoughts - How to Uninstall Citrix

Uninstalling Citrix products like Workspace or Receiver requires careful attention to detail to ensure all components are thoroughly removed, preventing potential conflicts and ensuring system integrity. By following the comprehensive steps outlined for Windows, macOS and Linux systems, your business can achieve a clean uninstallation. Additionally, exploring alternative solutions like TSplus can provide enhanced functionality, security and efficiency for remotely accessing company devices, offering a robust and scalable approach to remote access and management.