Apple Intelligence is now available on iPhone, iPad, and Mac!

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

“ElementaryTypefld” will damage your computer popup keeps showing up and I cannot remove it from my Mac. What should I remove?

A pop up titled "“ElementaryTypefld” will damage your computer. This file was downloaded on an unknown date." continuously pops on on my Mac's screen and I cannot remove it no matter how many times I click okay or show in finder. Below is an image of the popup, my Launch Agents Screen, Launch Daemons Screen and my second Launch Agents Screen. Does anything look like it needs to be deleted? I am on Mac OS Big Sur Version 11.7.6

MacBook Pro 13″

Posted on Dec 21, 2023 4:10 PM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Dec 21, 2023 5:05 PM

spideynoir wrote:

can i ask what about these files need to be deleted? are they just not needed or something else, i just want to know before deleting them


May I intrude to address that question?


Refer to this passage from About those "<app> will damage your computer" messages - Apple Community:


... There are two salient points to bear in mind regarding the contents of those three folders:



  1. Everything you find in those folders is related to something you installed. Obviously, whatever you choose to install on your Mac is your business, and you should have at least a passing familiarity with its contents.
  2. Legitimate software makes no attempt to obscure its name behind incomprehensible or randomly chosen file names with the intent to hide an equally legitimate purpose.


That means everything else you find in those folders should be regarded as suspicious.


Do you recall installing anything bearing those file names? No? Then regarding them with suspicion is justified. In fact, all the files highlighted by MrHoffman should be deleted with extreme prejudice.


You may need to boot "Safe Mode" to do that. Otherwise, they may be "open" and active and the Finder will object and refuse to comply.

6 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Dec 21, 2023 5:05 PM in response to spideynoir

spideynoir wrote:

can i ask what about these files need to be deleted? are they just not needed or something else, i just want to know before deleting them


May I intrude to address that question?


Refer to this passage from About those "<app> will damage your computer" messages - Apple Community:


... There are two salient points to bear in mind regarding the contents of those three folders:



  1. Everything you find in those folders is related to something you installed. Obviously, whatever you choose to install on your Mac is your business, and you should have at least a passing familiarity with its contents.
  2. Legitimate software makes no attempt to obscure its name behind incomprehensible or randomly chosen file names with the intent to hide an equally legitimate purpose.


That means everything else you find in those folders should be regarded as suspicious.


Do you recall installing anything bearing those file names? No? Then regarding them with suspicion is justified. In fact, all the files highlighted by MrHoffman should be deleted with extreme prejudice.


You may need to boot "Safe Mode" to do that. Otherwise, they may be "open" and active and the Finder will object and refuse to comply.

Dec 21, 2023 5:32 PM in response to spideynoir

spideynoir wrote:

can i ask what about these files need to be deleted? are they just not needed or something else, i just want to know before deleting them


Or rephrased…


They’re garbage, generated file names that are present in areas that should only have structured names from recognized app vendors, and only from those vendors with apps you’ve installed on your Mac.


There are various versions of whatever junk was installed here, this version of this junk uses (generates) file names that are usually easier to spot. Other versions are slightly more subtle about the file names generated.


Cracked apps, and apps downloaded from consolidators or other sources, and apps offering “free stuff” or coupons or other such, are all potential sources of this stuff.


The built-in anti-malware is blocking part of this junk, which is where that original message is arising.

“ElementaryTypefld” will damage your computer popup keeps showing up and I cannot remove it from my Mac. What should I remove?

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.