How to completely remove Huion drivers and leftover files on Windows and macOS?
Executive summary
A complete removal of Huion drivers requires following the vendor’s version-specific uninstall routines, killing any running Huion processes, rebooting, and then searching for leftover application files; Huion’s support pages provide step-by-step uninstallers for macOS (V12–V15) and Windows (V12–V15) while warning not to simply delete driver folders [1] [2] [3] [4]. Independent how‑to guides echo using Device Manager or the system’s uninstall utilities as complementary clean‑up steps, but specific post‑uninstall registry or plist cleanup instructions are not provided in the available sources [5].
1. The problem broken down: versions, platforms, and why “complete” matters
Huion maintains different uninstall workflows depending on driver version and platform, so “complete” removal means using the correct routine for the installed driver (V12, V13/V14, V15) and platform (macOS, Windows) to avoid leaving background agents running or corrupting future reinstalls, a risk explicitly noted in Huion’s documentation [1] [6].
2. macOS: use Huion’s built‑in uninstaller, check Activity Monitor, then reboot
For macOS Huion instructs users to open the HuionTablet application, use the top‑menu Preferences or Settings to trigger the Uninstall option, authenticate with the Mac account password when prompted, and restart if needed; if the uninstall tool quits unexpectedly, a reboot and checking Activity Monitor to quit any HuionTablet, HuionTabletInfo, TabletDriverConsole, HuionDriverHelper or TabletDriverAgent processes is recommended [2] [1] [7]. Huion also provides video guidance for V14 and version‑specific instructions for V15 on macOS that repeat the same flow—use the driver’s Uninstall button, authenticate, then reboot [8] [2].
3. Windows: use the driver’s uninstall entry or Control Panel, or the method in Device Manager
On Windows Huion’s official guidance for V12 and V15 recommends running the provided uninstaller (for older versions double‑clicking unins000.exe) or using the driver UI gear icon to select Uninstall, then reboot when prompted [3] [4]. Huion’s videos and help pages also state that Control Panel → Programs → Uninstall a program is acceptable for V14 and earlier, and warn against simply deleting driver folders because that can break future installs [9]. Third‑party walkthroughs add that removing the device entry via Device Manager under “Mice and other pointing devices” can be a useful complement to the vendor uninstaller [5].
4. After the uninstall: search for leftover files and processes, but follow source limits
Huion’s support explicitly advises checking Activity Monitor (macOS) or rebooting Windows to ensure no tablet driver programs remain running after uninstall [1] [7]. The vendor documentation implies but does not enumerate every plist, preferences file, or registry key to remove, so any manual deletion should be conservative—focus on removing remaining application folders (e.g., HuionDriver), leftover installer packages, and checking startup items; the official guides do not provide a complete list of leftover system files or registry entries to delete [3] [10].
5. Troubleshooting and alternate approaches: when the uninstaller fails
If the built‑in uninstaller quits unexpectedly Huion advises a restart and reattempt, and to ensure no driver‑related processes remain in Activity Monitor before retrying [1]. Video tutorials and vendor FAQs recommend closing drawing apps and disabling antivirus during uninstall or reinstall attempts to avoid interference, and suggest using the system’s uninstall control panel or device manager as fallback methods [9] [11]. Independent guides also recommend Device Manager removal for lingering device entries on Windows [5].
6. Caveats, open gaps, and responsible next steps
The Huion sources are authoritative on how to run their uninstallers and what to check immediately afterward, but they do not publish exhaustive instructions for cleaning registry keys on Windows or all plist/launch daemon entries on macOS, so a truly forensic cleanup would require additional, platform‑specific research or trusted cleanup utilities not covered in the available documentation [2] [1] [3]. When in doubt, follow Huion’s prescribed uninstall first, reboot, verify no Huion processes run, then remove obvious leftover application folders and installer packages [2] [3].