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Do you delete leftover files after deleting an app?
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I voted using third party cleaner, the excellent AppCleaner, but I carefully manually check what is going to be deleted before committing.
If app has own uninstaller that would be first choice.
If app has own uninstaller that would be first choice.
I've been using TrashMe and sometimes AppCleaner for a long time. Both work quite well.
TrashMe 3
TrashMe 3 is a powerful cleaner and uninstaller for your Mac, perfected for over 13 years. • Uninstall any app or extension with all its related files • Clean system caches to solve some issues and free up hard disk space • Delete junk files such as large / old files or incomplete downloads •...
apps.apple.com
I use AppCleaner, but will also use "EasyFind" to do a manual search sometimes, as well.
(example of the latter -- getting rid of old adobe "FlashPlayer" files)
(example of the latter -- getting rid of old adobe "FlashPlayer" files)
Never needed to remove Remove-It. It's great for removing all remnants of all the apps and web browsers I had been testing for various things. It's not let me down, so far.
Yes. I used to use that app zapper app long time ago that removed the prefs also. But I prefer to do it manually.
Just be careful what you delete.
And if you do accidentally delete prefs and support files permanently it can be rebuilt by the app next time.
DO NOT ever use file recovery apps that promise to recover deleted files. All of these apps I have seen are malignant and over promise. They try to install themselves deep into the system and pressure you to pay money for them to "work better". They cannot work better. It is almost impossible to recover deleted files on SSDs that use TRIM.
Just be careful what you delete.
And if you do accidentally delete prefs and support files permanently it can be rebuilt by the app next time.
DO NOT ever use file recovery apps that promise to recover deleted files. All of these apps I have seen are malignant and over promise. They try to install themselves deep into the system and pressure you to pay money for them to "work better". They cannot work better. It is almost impossible to recover deleted files on SSDs that use TRIM.
It's not that simple, even when it's built into the OS.
jv16 PowerTools Blog - A Mad Journey: Comparing Windows uninstallers, getting upset and then deciding to make my own https://jv16powertools.com/blog/comparing-windows-uninstallers-and-making-uninstalr/
In addition to already mentioned technical reasons, I'm afraid there's simply no sufficient demand for this (which doesn't mean Apple would do this if the demand was actually there, of course). Third-party apps mentioned here already serve well those users who wish to delete leftover files.
This really depends on the app itself. All junk files will take up space, but some apps have Safari Plugins and Extensions or even network extensions integrated into the macOS, so it's possible there's some kind of impact if you were just drag the app to the trash instead.
i do this with find any file (similar to easyfind, mentioned previously). but... carefully. just like to keep things 'clean'.
For apps that have a built-in uninstaller, do you use that or still prefer to use a third-party "cleaner" app or some other manual method? Basically, do the built-in uninstallers that some apps have, do they also leave some leftover files behind?
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New app - Pearcleaner https://github.com/alienator88/Pearcleaner
"An open-source mac app cleaner inspired by Freemacsoft's AppCleaner and Sun Knudsen's Privacy Guides post on his app-cleaner script. "
Requirements MacOS 13.0+
I haven’t tested it yet, but it seems to be good at removing a lot of Brave garbage
"An open-source mac app cleaner inspired by Freemacsoft's AppCleaner and Sun Knudsen's Privacy Guides post on his app-cleaner script. "
Requirements MacOS 13.0+
I haven’t tested it yet, but it seems to be good at removing a lot of Brave garbage
I use AppCleaner, and have for years, but it still doesnt get everything. After I run it I will still look for left over files, and on occasion find some.
Another for AppCleaner, simple, easy & free. I run it's background daemon so when an app if dropped in the trash AppCleaner automatically detects all related files and advises. For anything really stubborn I use Find Any File, which is rare. It can manually remove pretty much anything with extreme prejudice LOL...
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