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Level 1

28 points

How do I disable the Mac App Store?

I have a special needs son and for this reason I have to limit what he has access to on his iMac.
With the Mac App Store coming I had made the choice to simply not install/download the Mac App Store. I realized that this morning that is not an option, it is installed as part of the 10.6.6 update.
I removed it from the dock but still I realize it is installed on the Mac and for example it's an option on the Apple pulldown menu and I know there is an option of when a file cannot be opened there is an option to open the app store to find an app.
I looked at Parental controls but unless I am wrong could not find an option to completely disable the app store. I don't mind enabling it when I want to install certain apps on his mac that he will need. This may be convenient but simply don't want him to be able to get into the app store to install apps.
Thank you for your help.

MBP, Mac Pro, Mac Mini, Mac OS X (10.5.1)

Posted on Jan 6, 2011 12:19 PM

22 replies

Mar 17, 2011 8:47 AM in response to varjak paw

Dave Sawyer wrote:
Sorry, but I don't see why this is a problem. Just don't click the button that offers to search the App Store. You still have the other two options in the dialog box.

Here's the problem: When Apple added this garbage, they completely broke opening some file types. I have not tested this extensively to see how many types are broken, but I have wasting more time than I should have to trying to fix the one that is bugging me. I've used this application for years, and it used to be having it in the Applications folder was enough that I could just click one of its files and it opens. Since 10.6.6, I get the worthless mac app store prompt. If I choose the open with option in that dialog, the app that handles it is now disabled in the list until I change to allow all applications. If I go to get Get Info on the file, and change the open with association there, it looks like it works, right until I hit the change all button, at which point the association goes blank. So, NO way I can find to fix this problem they made for me.

Also, another big problem is privacy. The mac app store collects info on all installs apps and uses that to show certain apps as already installed (i.e. iWork). I would not be surprised if Apple is collecting the full list of all installed apps every time. Even if they aren't, I can't be sure of that.

<Edited by Host>

Mar 17, 2011 8:55 AM in response to AppleHardwareIsTrash

Your paranoia is showing.

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Allan

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Linc Davis

Level 10

209,559 points

Mar 17, 2011 9:14 AM in response to markwco10

There's no need to disable the App Store unless your special-needs son has a credit card of his own. Don't give him access to your Apple ID. Problem solved.

Mar 17, 2011 10:33 AM in response to Allan Eckert

paranoia is a good thing... and justified by the fact that the censors have modified one post and then deleted another.

Király

Level 6

10,017 points

Mar 17, 2011 10:58 AM in response to markwco10

All you need to do is give your son a non-admin user account, and don't tell him the admin account's password. He can then still open and browse the Mac App Store, but he won't be able to download or install anything with it.

Yer_Man

Level 10

162,456 points

Mar 17, 2011 11:41 AM in response to AppleHardwareIsTrash

Well if you will insist in breaking your word then what do you expect? Why would you think that other users want to read your ranting? Remember, this is not Apple you're talking to.

Bsuttin

Level 1

0 points

Mar 17, 2011 7:23 PM in response to AppleHardwareIsTrash

What application is this? It might not be an issue of the app store, it just might be incompatible with 10.6.6

How do I disable the Mac App Store?