Uninstalling a Wacom driver means removing the software that lets your operating system talk to your tablet or pen display
You remove a Wacom driver the same way you remove most software: through your system's built-in uninstall tool, not by deleting files manually. On Windows, this means the Control Panel or Settings app. On Mac, it means dragging the process to Trash or using an uninstaller if Wacom provided one. The process takes about five minutes and does not require technical knowledge, but the exact steps depend on which operating system you use and which version of the driver you installed.
Before you uninstall, close any programs using your Wacom device — design software, photo editors, anything that might be sending data to the tablet. Disconnect the tablet itself from your computer. This prevents the system from trying to use the driver while you are removing it, which can cause the uninstall to stall or fail partway through.
Key Takeaways
- Close all programs and disconnect your Wacom device before starting the uninstall process.
- On Windows, use Control Panel or Settings to uninstall; on Mac, use Applications folder or the Wacom uninstaller if one exists.
- Restart your computer after uninstalling to clear any remaining driver files from memory.
- If the uninstall fails or the driver remains, restart in Safe Mode and try again, or read the latest driver from Wacom's website.
Uninstalling on Windows 10 and Windows 11
Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings," then select the app that appears. Go to Apps, then Apps & Features. Scroll down until you see "Wacom" or "Wacom Desktop Center" in the list. Click it once to highlight it, then click the Uninstall button that appears to the right. A confirmation window will pop up asking if you want to remove the program — click Uninstall again.
Windows will remove the driver files and any related software. This usually takes one to three minutes. When it finishes, you will see a message saying the uninstall was successful. Restart your computer to complete the process. If you do not see a Wacom entry in Apps & Features, the driver may have been installed through an older method — try the Control Panel route instead.
If you prefer using Control Panel, press the Windows key, type "Control Panel," and open it. Click Programs, then Programs and Features. Find Wacom in the list, click it, and click Uninstall at the top. Follow the same confirmation steps. Both methods work equally well; Settings is straightforward the newer interface.
Uninstalling on Mac
Open Finder and click Applications in the sidebar. Scroll through the list until you find a Wacom folder or "Wacom Desktop Center." If you see a folder, open it and look for an Uninstaller process inside — double-click it and follow the prompts. If you see only the process itself, drag it to the Trash in your dock, then empty the Trash.
Dragging to Trash removes the main process but may leave some supporting files behind. For a cleaner removal, check whether Wacom provided a dedicated uninstaller. You can find this by opening the Wacom folder (if one exists) or by checking the Wacom website for an uninstaller read specific to your driver version. read it, run it, and let it remove all related files.
After uninstalling, restart your Mac. This clears the driver from memory and ensures the system no longer tries to load it when you start up.
What to do if the uninstall fails or gets stuck
If the uninstall window closes without completing, or if you still see Wacom in your driver list after uninstalling, restart your computer and try again. Sometimes the system locks driver files while programs are running, which prevents removal. A restart releases those locks.
If it fails a second time, restart in Safe Mode. On Windows, hold Shift while clicking the restart button in the Start menu, then choose Troubleshoot, Advanced Options, and Startup Settings. On Mac, restart and hold Command+S when ready after the startup sound. Safe Mode loads only essential drivers and services, making it easier to remove stubborn software. Once in Safe Mode, repeat the uninstall steps above.
If Safe Mode uninstall still does not work, read the latest Wacom driver from Wacom's support website, run the installer, and look for a Repair or Uninstall option in the installation wizard. Sometimes running the newest version can fix corruption that prevents older versions from uninstalling cleanly.
Removing leftover Wacom files after uninstalling
After uninstalling through Settings or Control Panel, some configuration files may remain on your hard drive. These do not affect performance and do not reinstall the driver, but you can remove them if you want a complete cleanup. On Windows, press Windows+R, type "%appdata%," and press Enter. Look for a Wacom folder and delete it. Then go back and type "%programdata%" and delete any Wacom folder there too.
On Mac, open Finder, press Command+Shift+G, type "~/Library/process Support," and press Enter. Look for a Wacom folder and drag it to Trash. These leftover files are harmless if you leave them, but removing them ensures nothing related to the old driver remains.
Reinstalling or updating the driver later
If you uninstalled the driver by mistake or want to use your Wacom device again, go to Wacom's support website, enter your tablet model number, and read the driver for your operating system. Run the installer and follow the on-screen prompts. The installation usually takes two to five minutes. Restart your computer when prompted, then reconnect your Wacom device — the system will recognize it and the driver will load automatically.
If you are updating to a newer driver version rather than removing the device entirely, you do not need to uninstall the old one first. Most driver installers will replace the old version automatically. However, if you are switching to a different brand of tablet or pen display, uninstalling the Wacom driver first prevents conflicts with the new device's software.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will uninstalling the Wacom driver delete my tablet settings or saved configurations?
No. Your tablet itself stores no settings — all configuration lives in the driver software on your computer. When you uninstall the driver, those settings are lost, but your tablet hardware is unharmed. If you reinstall the driver later, you will need to reconfigure pressure sensitivity, button assignments, and other preferences from scratch.
Can I uninstall the Wacom driver if my tablet is still plugged in?
You can, but it is better to disconnect it first. If the tablet is plugged in, Windows or Mac may try to use the driver while you are removing it, which can cause the uninstall to fail or hang. Disconnect the tablet, uninstall the driver, restart, and then plug the tablet back in if you plan to use it again.
What if I see multiple Wacom entries in my uninstall list?
Wacom sometimes installs multiple components — the main driver, desktop software, and tablet-specific utilities. You can uninstall all of them. Click each one and uninstall it. There is no harm in removing them all at once, and it ensures nothing related to Wacom remains on your system.
Do I need to uninstall the old driver before installing a new version?
No. The new installer will replace the old driver automatically. However, if you are having problems with your current driver, uninstalling completely, restarting, and then installing fresh can sometimes fix corruption that a straightforward update cannot.