Q: How do I remove Clean My Mac 3 from Mac book pro with OS 10.7.5

Use the uninstaller that came with it. If you don't have it, then you can remove it manually:

Uninstalling Software: The Basics

Most OS X applications are completely self-contained "packages" that can be uninstalled by simply dragging the application to the Trash.  Applications may create preference files that are stored in the /Home/Library/Preferences/ folder.  Although they do nothing once you delete the associated application, they do take up some disk space.  If you want you can look for them in the above location and delete them, too.

Some applications may install an uninstaller program that can be used to remove the application.  In some cases the uninstaller may be part of the application's installer, and is invoked by clicking on a Customize button that will appear during the install process.

Some applications may install components in the /Home/Library/Applications Support/ folder.  You can also check there to see if the application has created a folder.  You can also delete the folder that's in the Applications Support folder.  Again, they don't do anything but take up disk space once the application is trashed.

Some applications may install a startupitem or a Log In item.  Startupitems are usually installed in the /Library/StartupItems/ folder and less often in the /Home/Library/StartupItems/ folder.  Log In Items are set in the Accounts preferences.  Open System Preferences, click on the Accounts icon, then click on the LogIn Items tab.  Locate the item in the list for the application you want to remove and click on the "-" button to delete it from the list.

Some software use startup daemons or agents that are a new feature of the OS.  Look for them in /Library/LaunchAgents/ and /Library/LaunchDaemons/ or in /Home/Library/LaunchAgents/.

If an application installs any other files the best way to track them down is to do a Finder search using the application name or the developer name as the search term.  Unfortunately Spotlight will not look in certain folders by default.  You can modify Spotlight's behavior or use a third-party search utility, EasyFind, instead.

Some applications install a receipt in the /Library/Receipts/ folder.  Usually with the same name as the program or the developer.  The item generally has a ".pkg" extension.  Be sure you also delete this item as some programs use it to determine if it's already installed.

There are many utilities that can uninstall applications.  Here is a selection:

    1. AppZapper

    2. AppDelete

    3. Automaton

    4. Hazel

    5. AppCleaner

    6. CleanApp

    7. iTrash

    8. Amnesia

    9. Uninstaller

  10. Spring Cleaning

For more information visit The XLab FAQs and read the FAQ on removing software.

Just drag the icon of the application to Trash folder. Its as simple as that.

Do not drag the application to the Trash.

To remove CleanMyMac 3 itself, use its Uninstaller module, followed by these additional steps:

• Remove the file ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.macpaw.CleanMyMac3.Scheduler.plist

  • To navigate to that file, copy and paste the following line into the Finder's Go menu > Go To Folder...

~/Library/LaunchAgents/

• Locate the following file and drag it to the Trash:

com.macpaw.CleanMyMac3.Scheduler.plist

• Then, open  (Apple menu) > System Preferences > Users & Groups > Login Items.
• Select the item CleanMyMac3 Menu
• Click the [—] (minus) button.
• Restart your Mac.

Beware that reinstalling OS X alone will have no effect on either removing CleanMyMac or reversing the damage it is capable of inflicting upon a system. To recover from the effects of having used it to modify OS X, the additional software you require and the essential files you may need follow the applicable recovery procedure below:

• If you have a backup that you created prior to using CleanMyMac, now is the time to use it. For Time Machine, boot OS X Recovery, and at the Mac OS X Utilities screen, choose Restore from Time Machine Backup. Choose a date preceding the installation of CleanMyMac.
• If you do not have a backup that predates the use of CleanMyMac, create one now. To do that read Mac Basics: Time Machine backs up your Mac.
  • The recovery procedure will require that you erase the Mac using OS X Recovery, and then create a new user whose contents will be empty. You will then be able to use Setup Assistant to migrate your essential documents including photos, music, work products and other essential files.
  • When doing so, select only your previous User account and do not select "Applications", "Computer and Network Settings" or "Other files and folders". De-select those choices.
  • Subsequent to using Setup Assistant, you will need to reinstall the essential software you may require, once again remembering to install software only from their original sources, and omitting all non-essential software.
  • "Non-essential software" is a broad category that includes but is not limited to third party "cleaning", "maintenance", and "anti-virus" products.

To erase and install Lion read: OS X: How to erase and install - Apple Support

To migrate your essential documents read: OS X Yosemite: Transfer your info from a computer or storage device and follow the procedure under Transfer info from a Time Machine backup or other storage device. The instructions are identical for Lion.

First of all thanks for your extensive response.

I have the same issue. Coming from windows machines all my life, I installed this s*** software based on a friend's recommendation when I had my macbook for only 2 weeks. I have no way of getting back on time machine, so that's not an option for me.

This s***ware keeps on pulling out notifications about trash being full and stuff like this. I already did vast searches upon the library and today I did again and again found some more with more careful searching. In a windows machine, at the extreme situation, you could edit the register and any nasty software would be removed if you found the correct string for it.

It's really impossible to completely remove this s*** software without having to format and reinstall the complete OS?!

It'd be really great since I never formatted on OS X and I do not have the proper time and resources in the next couple months to do that.

Again, thanks for the detailed comment for this issue.

Also, shouldn't Apple have a way of "destroy" this application since it's so nasty?! Why there isn't a way of completely "nuke" it, even with something related to the register in windows? cannot believe such an application can be around without any means to completely remove it, even in the harder/higher knowledge level and within such a careful company as Apple is regarding the software on their machines.

The removal instructions I posted will effectively remove CleanMyMac 3 itself — however — they do not undo the effects of actually having used it. Given the enormous variability of people's unique software installations, there no practicable way of determining the extent of those effects. That is the reason for recommending the "nuke and pave" procedure I posted. Other methods exist, but what I described is likely to require the least amount of your time and interaction, it is exactly what I do with similarly affected systems, it is what an Apple Store would recommend, and it has the advantage of being completely supported by Apple's support publications.

... cannot believe such an application can be around without any means to completely remove it, even in the harder/higher knowledge level and within such a careful company as Apple is regarding the software on their machines.

As difficult as it may be to believe, it is far from the worst such application. At present, Mac users remain unencumbered by any restrictions and are free to mess up their systems to whatever extent pleases them, if they so choose. That may not always be the case. You may not like the alternative.

No, it is NOT as simple as that. If you just drag to the Trash folder, there will still be pop-ups from time to time like this:

I hope John/Kappy's advises will do the job, will see after a while.