Remove PACE License Support (iLok Anti-virus?) from Login items.

PACE is a software license mechanism used by many apps. It is not malware and on its own does nothing.

If you migrated from Mac to Mac, the PACE/iLok license file(s) were also migrated each time. If you didn't use Migration Assistant, but at some point installed one of the apps that had a PACE/iLok license, you probably got the license file again that way. Avid and ProTools are not the only apps that use PACE/iLok.

I suggest contacting either PACE iLok about how to remove the license support manager. But first check all your apps to make sure you aren't actually using an app that has an iLok license.

It is probably installed in one of your login folders. The best way to identify which one is by posting the free EtreCheck report using the Additional Text option when posting. The report contains no personal information and we will be able to identify the exact location of the files(s) to remove.

How to use the Add Text Feature When Post… - Apple Community

I suspect the /LaunchDaemons folder, but PACE is also linked to other third party programs that should also be removed and may be in one of the other 2 User Launch folders as well.

johnca wrote:

Hi All, I have a PACE License Support located in my Login Items, and I'm not 100% sure of what it is.

https://discussions.apple.com/content/attachment/ede1b589-d3e1-43ec-a348-197bc50ff854

At the best of my research, it's from iLok -- which I think was used back when I had Avid on my laptop in college... in 2012. I haven't had Avid or ProTools since 2012, and I've not ever installed them on my current or previous two laptops.

My internet searches are not coming up with any reliable way to remove it. I've done terminal commands, painstakingly read through the Application Support and User Library folders on my HD deleting manually, and yet it remains.

Anyone know how to remove this permanently?

One thing you can do is use FindAnyFile (which I think can be used for free) to search through your entire Mac (try both file names as well as file contents), including hidden folders (FindAnyFile searches in folders that Spotlight does not go into) and search for strings like iLok, PACE, AVID, ProTools etc. You will have to wade through a lot of benign hits but it will enable you to ferret out all such instances. It looks like from your screen shot that the PACE license support item is deactivated so it might be doing no harm, but still, it looks like a "phone home" application which could be considered a security risk unless you know exactly what it is doing and sharing with whatever company it connects to. I personally would go through the trouble of searching and finding those files. It won't take very long, the false hits are fairly easy to spot. Take care not to unintentionally delete things that are unrelated and that you do need.

I would use the Support/ search feature if in doubt...

ref: https://help.ilok.com/home.html

Look for a built-in or in-app uninstaller and use that, not all uninstallers are 100% effective

place to look for pieces, Finder>Go>Go To Folder copy & paste each location:

/usr/local/

/Library/Application Support/

/Library/LaunchDaemons/

/Library/LaunchAgents/

you can also look for application specific related items:

~/Library/Application Support/

~/Library/Preferences/

~/Library/Caches/

~/Library/LaunchAgents/