I just delete a app, but I can still find some files related to that app in Finder, do anyone know how to delete a app completely easily?
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Anyone know how to completely delete a app
- Thread starter Beluga1000
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There are dozens of utilities that will do this, AppCleaner is a pretty decent FREE one. You can set the app preferences to delete all the associated files of an app automatically.
I've read many times that any app deletion program will leave behind pieces of the deleted app somewhere. They do not take up much space on your hard drive, so they can be left alone. Or, you can search for them and delete them manually.
When I need to "get rid of" an app, I use the free "AppCleaner".
Get it here:
Then, do this:
1. Open AppCleaner
2. Open your Applications folder (in the finder)
3. Grab the app you want to delete, and "drag and drop" it into AppCleaner's window.
4. AppCleaner will "look around" and gather up all the files related to the app.
5. If any are "unchecked", put a check into them.
6. Click the "remove" button, and they're ALL moved to the trash.
7. Close AppCleaner and empty the trash.
8. Gone!
I'm guessing there might be a few applications that AppCleaner can't "clean out" (perhaps Adobe stuff, Microsoft stuff, etc.). Those software publishers usually make available a standalone "uninstall" utility to get rid of them.
Get it here:
Then, do this:
1. Open AppCleaner
2. Open your Applications folder (in the finder)
3. Grab the app you want to delete, and "drag and drop" it into AppCleaner's window.
4. AppCleaner will "look around" and gather up all the files related to the app.
5. If any are "unchecked", put a check into them.
6. Click the "remove" button, and they're ALL moved to the trash.
7. Close AppCleaner and empty the trash.
8. Gone!
I'm guessing there might be a few applications that AppCleaner can't "clean out" (perhaps Adobe stuff, Microsoft stuff, etc.). Those software publishers usually make available a standalone "uninstall" utility to get rid of them.
1. The best way is to use an uninstaller provided by the software vendor.
2. If doesn't exist, see if they have instructions on how to uninstall on their website
3. AppCleaner is the next best. May not catch everything.
You might want to just turn on the auto-delete feature in AppCleaner's preferences so You can skip steps 1-7 and just drag the app to the trash like any other file and it'll find all the files and give you the option of keeping or removing other files before emptying the trash.
If you've never used AppCleaner, give it a try.
Once you've tried it, you probably won't use anything else for this task again.
Once you've tried it, you probably won't use anything else for this task again.
I'll take a look at it - what made CleanApp stand out with it's daemon that monitored and logged processes that created files - so it got everything or close to it. Updates to the MacOS made this impossible, from what I understand. Current uninstallers all seem to be more or less on par with each-other catching the expected library files and often a bit more but I still find hidden things here and there, not often. The CleanApp daemon is a feature I can live without - but I do so resent things that save files to my computer with me knowing about it.
I have an M1 Mac mini and was having problems getting rid of all Ventura's login items. Thought I'd post here like I did on Reddit. Might help someone.
Reddit thread where I posted my solution:
My post on the Reddit thread:
This worked for me. And all were gone after a reboot.
https://www.droidwin.com/remove-deleted-apps-from-background-login-items-in-ventura/
Reddit thread where I posted my solution:
My post on the Reddit thread:
This worked for me. And all were gone after a reboot.
https://www.droidwin.com/remove-deleted-apps-from-background-login-items-in-ventura/
I watched the video. The technique does not come even close to finding all the files in an example I picked at random. I'd really recommend the free tool AppCleaner. It's not just doing a text search on the application's name.
I have this app plus CCleaner. But since I rarely install apps, I rarely use anything to uninstall anything.
These have done the job for me when I have used them in the past, but I am not drilling down to see if they get rid of every last bit either.
I know this is not much help...sorry.
Throw your computer in the trash?
Do a search for the vendor and name of software to find all the bits scattered around your computer.
It's kinda sad to see Apple allowing this kind of application installations to happen or proliferate in OS X (macOS).
I remember the early days of the OS where app management was very easy as it was "suppose" to be contained all in one place. Not so much anymore.
Do a search for the vendor and name of software to find all the bits scattered around your computer.
It's kinda sad to see Apple allowing this kind of application installations to happen or proliferate in OS X (macOS).
I remember the early days of the OS where app management was very easy as it was "suppose" to be contained all in one place. Not so much anymore.
I wanted to throw mine in the trash when I was trying to figure out how to get rid of those log in items that won't delete in Ventura anymore. But a quick internet search yielded that link I posted above and it worked like a charm. Several others posted at Reddit that it worked great for them too. So I guess the takeaway from all this is to be really careful about what you install in the first place.
Haha! The 'one place' being anywhere on your computer. Apple has been attempting to tighten the rules (sandboxed apps) - not relax them.