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OS X Tip #140
Uninstalling applications on OS X can confuse some users as to the proper and safe way to do it. Should you just drag the app to the trash and flush it, use a third-party application for removing apps or some other method. If you just simply “trash” the app from your application folder what gets left behind and where?
First, I recommend that you:
- Never install an application until you understand how to uninstall it! Especially, if you are just planning to trial the application.
- Always consult the application’s documentation for uninstall instructions. Some apps include an “uninstaller” as a separate file or include one in their installer file. If the documentation does not include uninstall instructions, check the developer’s Web site or contact the developer.
How to properly uninstall an application depends mostly on how it was installed. There are two basic methods that developer’s use for installing their applications on OS X:
- Drag and drop.
- Running an installer.
Uninstalling applications differ depending on these two basic methods.
Here’s how:
Drag and Drop
Installing by a drag-and-drop method which usually means that you simply “dragged” the application’s icon from a disc or from the desktop after you downloaded it and then “dropped” it into your Applications folder.
If this is the method you used, the application was distributed as a bundle. This bundle usually contains all of the components for the application in a single package that is represented by the application’s icon.
You can usually just drag these type applications to the trash to uninstall them. If is still a good idea to consult the application’s documentation or website for uninstall instructions to be sure.
Applications That Used An Installer
Many applications run an installer to install the application. The installer is a program or script that copies all of the application’s components into specific places of your Mac’s OS X system in order to use the application. You can tell this when you install the application as an “Installer” is run usually asking you some questions, showing you the EULA (End User License Agreement), or requiring you to click as you proceed with installing the application.
Installers are used by the developers when the application is not distributed as a bundle or package like in the “drag and drop” method, or the application requires some of its components to be copied into system-related locations other then Applications folder.
When uninstalling these type of application, it is very important to follow the application’s documentation to uninstall properly.
Many of these applications can be uninstalled by the developer providing:
- An Uninstall option, which can be accessed by re-running the installer and selecting Uninstall from the pop-up menu where it offers options such as Easy Install or Custom Install.
- Some applications will include an uninstaller application on the disc or it may be installed along with the application in Applications folder.
Manual Way – I do not recommend Uninstalling applications this way!
Some applications may create an Installation log file listing all of the components it installed and where these files were copied to. You may be able to search to locate the Installation Log files for specific applications. Then track them down and trash them.
Unfortunately, There is no standard for where Installation Log files are saved. This can also be a bit risky to locate an application’s components and trash them if you delete the wrong file. Even causing your Mac to be inoperable. Also some applications install components that are hidden, invisible, or both and you may not locate all of the components.
Some applications install kernel extensions, which should be unloaded from the running operating system before their files are removed. Starting up in Safe Mode should prevent any application-specific kernel extensions from loading. Some applications, particularly suites of applications, share code between multiple applications within the suite. Removing the components for one application in a suite could stop the other applications in the suite from working.
Leftover Application Preferences Files
Your Mac may be left with some of the uninstalled application’s preference files even if you uninstalled the application using the developer’s suggestions and provided uninstaller. Uninstallers sometimes leave their application’s preferences files in place in case you later reinstall the application. These really should be trashed as are not really needed.
These preference files are usually named beginning with com.developer.application_name and ending with a .plist extension meaning property list.
Application’s preferences files can be found:
User -> Library -> Preferences
User -> Library -> Preferences -> ByHost folder
Sometimes the application may have multiple .plist files some may even create folders for their preference files.
There will be copies of the preferences files on every user account that used the uninstalled application. So if you have multiple accounts on your Mac you will need to delete the preference files there also.
Uninstaller Shareware Application
AppZapper is a handy $12.95 shareware tool that attempts to uninstall or zap applications and all their associated files in a very Mac-like drag and drop way.
Drag one or more unwanted apps onto AppZapper and watch as it finds all the extra files and lets you delete them with a single click.
A safety system remembers which apps you want to keep safe, and the log tracks all the files you’ve zapped. As I have used AppZapper and like it, I still advise using the developer’s uninstaller. But if none exists AppZapper is the next best thing and it is certainly better in most cases to just trying to trash the applications icon.
Also see Spring Cleaning $49.95 or SuperPop free. I am not endorsing these apps, just letting you know they exist.
