deleting .plist
is it safe to delete .plist files
iMac 24″, macOS 13.5
is it safe to delete .plist files
iMac 24″, macOS 13.5
First, there is no reason to ever install or run any 3rd party "cleaning", "optimizing", "speed-up", anti-virus, VPN or security apps on your Mac. This documents describe what you need to know and do in order to protect your Mac: Effective defenses against malware and other threats - Apple Community and Recognize and avoid phishing messages, phony support calls, and other scams - Apple Support.
There are no known viruses, i.e. self propagating, for Macs. There are, however, adware and malware which require the user to install although unwittingly most of the time thru sneaky links, etc.
Anti Virus developers try to group all types as viruses into their ad campaigns of fear. They do a poor job of the detecting and isolating the adware and malware. Since there are no viruses these apps use up a lot of system resources searching for what is non-existent and adversely affect system and app performance.
There is one app, Malwarebytes, which was developed by a long time contributor to these forums and a highly respected member of the computer security community, that is designed solely to seek out adware and known malware and remove it. The free version is more than adequate for most users.
Uninstall the Norton A/V software according to the developer's instructions.
Norton, nor any anti-virus tool will continue to show these false positives and never find any true virus. I recommend that you fully remove Norton anything following the vendor's removal instructions.
Unlike Microsoft, Apple has taken steps to secure the operating system from invasive software. The following explains that: Apple Platform Security - Apple Support
However, unless you only download software from the original application vendor, you may inadvertently install other forms of malware, for which we recommend that you use the free evaluation of Malwarebytes for Mac. It will find and remove malware/adware if present. Afterwards, if you choose, you can remove the product from its Help menu.
No.
Every application contains multiple .plist within it and there are .plists scattered all over the operating system and in your local Preferences folder. These contain configuration settings.
Are you using any anti-virus or so-called Mac "cleaning" tool that has flagged these files for some reason and caused you to ask the question?
marishka999 wrote:
I've used Mac all my life but endings like
settings.dat, .log, .dmp and .txt
keep filling up my computer (Ventura)
now I know I need to keep the .plist files anyway.
All of those will be quite prevalent, probably more than you're aware. But they should not be "filling up" your Mac, storage-wise.
I think I've seen some log files grow somewhat large, but not significant unless they were running away. The log system will automatically prune them.
Thanks so much. Guess I'm just worried that having so many will affect the quality of my Mac. I feel a lot of relief from your answers. I even plan to delete some of my applications that I no longer use or have replaced with alternatives. I plan to keep up with updates for Mac. Thanks again, everyone.
Oh no! I had Malwarebytes but deleted it when I got Norton Antivirus. Guess I'm gonna work on reversing the decision. At 77, I'm starting to feel like a yoyo. LoL. I really appreciate your patience.
marishka999 wrote:
Thanks so much. Guess I'm just worried that having so many will affect the quality of my Mac. I feel a lot of relief from your answers. I even plan to delete some of my applications that I no longer use or have replaced with alternatives. I plan to keep up with updates for Mac. Thanks again, everyone.
As long as you keep a good bit of free space, there won't be a problem.
You don't need MalwareBytes, either. If you install adware, just use EtreCheck to get rid of it. Better yet, don't install Adware.
Effective defenses against malware and ot… - Apple Community
Yes Norton anti-virus
Yes Norton anti-virus
Of course it did. Got to make you think it is doing something.
I've used Mac all my life but endings like
settings.dat, .log, .dmp and .txt
keep filling up my computer (Ventura)
now I know I need to keep the .plist files anyway.
deleting .plist