Why storage icons appear when I install apps?

[bearinthetown]

That's something I'm curious about. When I install certain apps, there are "device" icons created on the desktop. I need to Eject them manually and they disappear. Why does that happen? Why would I need these "devices" for anything?

 

[AZhappyjack]

That's something I'm curious about. When I install certain apps, there are "device" icons created on the desktop. I need to Eject them manually and they disappear. Why does that happen? Why would I need these "devices" for anything?

Where are you installing apps from? If it's stuff from the internet (as opposed to the Mac App Store), you are probably seeing the .DMG files, which are disk image containers. The .app file is stored inside the .dmg file, and then you have to eject the .dmg file after the .app file has been installed.

 

[bearinthetown]

It's not a .dmg file that I'm talking about. Some apps, perhaps utility apps mostly, create something else on the desktop. You download the .dmg file, install an app, and the "device" icon appears on the desktop. One of these apps is Vagrant.

 

[hallux]

The .dmg is, as @dwfaust indicates, a disk image. In order for the app to install from that disk image, the image must be mounted. When the image is mounted, it shows up on the desktop. I've had a couple actually ask me if I want it unmounted when the install is complete, but it doesn't actually work so I need to manually unmount it.

 

[bearinthetown]

It's super weird to me that it mounts on the desktop.

 

[AZhappyjack]

It's super weird to me that it mounts on the desktop.

It's controlled by the Finder preferences... General Tab > External Disks.

 

[bearinthetown]

Oh, indeed! Thanks. I unchecked this nonsense.

 

[AZhappyjack]

Oh, indeed! Thanks. I unchecked this nonsense.

I love a happy ending.