How do uninstallers work?

[Tech198]

I'm interested to know do these uninstaller tools, like AppZapper & AppCleaner, look for "known" locations (hard-coded within the app itself) eg Application Support, Caches, Preferences, most well known ones), or do they dynamically look for all possible locations (very similar to what Spotlight does) based on what criteria you enter (although i'm not sure u can dynamically look up stuff in an app without a location being hard-coded) in os X. ?

 

[keysofanxiety]

I'm interested to know do these uninstaller tools, like AppZapper & AppCleaner, look for "known" locations (hard-coded within the app itself) eg Application Support, Caches, Preferences, most well known ones), or do they dynamically look for all possible locations (very similar to what Spotlight does) based on what criteria you enter (although i'm not sure u can dynamically look up stuff in an app without a location being hard-coded) in os X. ?

To the best of my knowledge, AppCleaner finds the locations hard-coded/linked to the application. So there's no chance it'll delete any system files or anything like that - it won't do any harm if that's what you're concerned about.

 

[Tech198]

No,, i just wondering if the locations are hard-codeed, then it will give false intentions wouldn't it ?

say u have bits and pieces of a left over app installed outside the "known" locations, u run up these uninstallers, yet they say its clean, when in fact it's not... all because the searchable locations within the app is hard-coded..