How does one remove All 32 bit apps before moving to Catalina?

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Level 1

14 points

How does one remove All 32 bit apps before moving to Catalina?

I wish to move to O/S Catalina, but do not wish to carry all the old software that's accumulated. Yes I could do a totally fresh start but that too has drawbacks.

Apple has warned us for years that 32 bit would be dropped and now we are there. One would have thought Apple would have developed a simple ( well, at least manageable) way to remove ALL. As it is it seems there is no simple answer.

Other than a clean install this is what i see:

Uninstall as many as possible.

There will still be a number of files that do not go.

Click on "Apple>About this Mac>System Report>Applications. once the apps list has loaded go to the top right and click the 32/64 bit column and line up all the 32 bit ones (quite a few bits and pieces...)

Click on a 32 bit item and the information is listed. Copy the location string and open Finder and the Go column >Go to Folder and past the string>Go and one is at the location and can now "Move to Trash".

This should work but can be tedious. An automated system would be great and I would have thought Apple would have supplied it.

Any ideas from anyone (Apple?) who has way more software knowledge than this user?

thanks

Martin

Posted on Oct 23, 2019 11:53 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Soren Pearson

Level 4

1,345 points

Oct 23, 2019 2:53 PM in response to MartinAS65

Hi MartinAS65,

You can also use a program called Go64 which scans your computer for 32-bit applications and provides upgrade paths to the 64-bit version.

For Photoshop CS6 you can check out Affinity Photo (Non- subscription) and the Affinity suite to see if it's something you are interested in.

These applications are good replacements for the Adobe suite of products. Affinity Photo is like Photoshop, Affinity Publisher is like InDesign, and Affinity Designer is like Illustrator.

For cleaning up leftovers you can check out AppCleaner which is free. Just drag an application over it and it will show you where the support files are for that application and the ability to trash everything.

I hope this helps.

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Answer 2

leroydouglas

Level 10

204,004 points

Oct 23, 2019 12:05 PM in response to MartinAS65

I don't see it as an issue.

Upgrade, the 32-bit apps follow and will now have a universal" do not enter sign over the app".

Uninstall if you want to free up space and move on.

If you need more ideas then you can read more:

https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-d&q=apple+uninstall+32-bit+apps

32-bit app compatibility—

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT208436

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Answer 3

MartinAS65 Author

Level 1

14 points

Nov 22, 2019 9:35 AM in response to Soren Pearson

Just an update. In the long run I decided to go with a completely clean install. Lost very little and got rid of a lot of junk.

Thanks

Martin

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Answer 4

MartinAS65 Author

Level 1

14 points

Oct 23, 2019 2:04 PM in response to leroydouglas

Upgrading the 32 bit apps would be good, if possible. Take Photoshop CS6 for an example. This WAS a stand alone but now is basically a rental, so not the same. Get rid of it but there are still 32 bit leftovers, such as the loading program, even though the PS was a 64.

Basically, unless one can get rid of all the bits the system is still messy. Yes a clean install would work. Actually the PS6 MIGHT still work without the 32 bit pieces. Have no idea really as I have not tried... yet.

Thanks for your suggestions and the google search. I have been there too.

Oh well...

Thanks

Martin

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Answer 5

MartinAS65 Author

Level 1

14 points

Oct 24, 2019 4:54 AM in response to Soren Pearson

Hi Soren

Thanks for your helpful post. I will look into Go64 and Appcleaner. As to Affinity photo, I agree, and actually bought it a few months back. I am impressed but still need to work my way into it. I used it to clean, enhance, change sky for a 17x24 print I made. I am sold on it's abilities but need time to "play" with it. Pricewise it is a steal especially comparison to 3 or 4 months rent of Adobe cloud.

I will try one of the 32 bit cleaners and then load Catalina. Worst case scenario I can use my Time machine backup and start again.

Thanks

Martin

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Answer 6

Oct 24, 2019 8:12 AM in response to MartinAS65

Hi Martin,

I'm glad my post was helpful. If you have any issues or questions, don't hesitate to write back and one of us will gladly help you.

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How does one remove All 32 bit apps before moving to Catalina?

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