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Remove office test drive

How do i remove the office 2004 test drive from my computer? I tried using the remove office app included in the folder but it says it has no office files on the computer? How can i remove this folder and its apps? just move to trash? and it will delete all the files associated with office, like preference files and stuff?

MacBook, Mac OS X (10.5.8)

Posted on Nov 14, 2009 11:38 AM

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7 replies

Nov 14, 2009 11:43 AM in response to BuckBanzai

if you have never used the test drive then simply drag the entire folder to the Trash and empty. if you have used the test drive then you must first use the uninstaller. For more help on uninstalling see:

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, Easy Find, instead. Download Easy Find at VersionTracker or MacUpdate.

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 also several shareware utilities that can uninstall applications:
AppZapper
CleanApp
Yank
SuperPop
Uninstaller
Spring Cleaning

Look for them at VersionTracker or MacUpdate.


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

Nov 14, 2009 12:56 PM in response to BuckBanzai

Usually the uninstaller would only work after you've agreed to the terms
and launched the application. If you don't agree, then the uninstaller
may be inoperative. Of course, that trial-run software is a hassle, and I
removed my Office 2004 test drive without running it via Trash/Empty.

For fully installed Office versions, the Uninstaller is generally included
in the Office folder it adds to the Applications folder.

For other items without an easy parts uninstaller, you can get and try
some of the Uninstallers out there for Mac OS X. Here is one that says
it runs for free. Others may have a trial period of use before buying.

AppCleaner - a free ware uninstaller:
http://www.freemacsoft.net/AppCleaner/index.php

Good luck & happy computing! 🙂

Jan 3, 2010 10:18 PM in response to BuckBanzai

uninstall confusion: The instructions state 'Select the check boxes next to the Microsoft Office X components you want to remove.' I read this as check the box and the selected item is removed, don't check the box and the item is NOT removed. But the second choice states 'Don't remove files I created.' This is opposite of the instructions correct? Check the box on the second choice and my files are safe, don't check the box and my files ARE removed. Am I reading this correctly? So which is it to keep my files, check the box as per the second item wording or do not check the box as per the instructions? I assume not removing files is the more popular choice and hence the option is worded that way but it is clearly opposite of the instructions and poorly written.

Jan 3, 2010 10:49 PM in response to nothere

But the second choice states 'Don't remove files I created.' This is opposite of the instructions correct?

The second choice is for the files you created, such as the stuff in the \Documents\Office\ folder, not the Office applications. The first choice is for the Office applications. You did not create those.
Leave the first and second options checked and \Applications\Office\ will be removed but \Documents\Microsoft User Data\ will not be removed.

Remove office test drive

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