How to uninstall Lion Server?

Apple really needs to be more honest regarding uninstalling software. They tell people "just drag to the trash" when in reality there are many things that are left behind. Apple should just admit that not all software is "just drag to the trash", then work to make uninstalling these applications easier and more complete. Implementing proper package management, uninstall functionality, and dependency checking in the Mac OS Installer application would be a start.

Skip,

This doesn't even come close to uninstalling the Server components. Check your work before you post here please.

Everyone else,

To list all the files that are installed when you download the Server app use the following command:

pkgutil --files com.apple.pkg.ServerEssentials

As you can see from this commnad it installs in the neighborhood of about 21600 files. NONE of which will be uninstalled when you toss the Server app in the trash.

Furthermore following Apple's KB article to disable Lion Server doesn't even come close to actually disabling all the Server compoents. There are 47 services setup to start (depending on configuration) at system boot via LaunchDaemons. Disabling everything in Server app then restarting DOES NOT disable all of these.

It's unclear if simply deleting all these files will properly uninstall the Server components nor is it clear if doing this will leave your system in a usable state. Suffice it to say there is no supported method for actually removing the Server componets installed by the Server app. This is hugely annoying! Booh Apple!

I'll be doing work to see if it's possible to remove the files from this list and will report back when I have more answers.

Yes, it's annoying that dragging files to trash means only making Lion Server invisible. It slows down my MacBook Pro Early 2011 a lot, even though it is not running. Anyway, I downloaded it and reinstalled it again. There seemed to be an update last week. And my MBP has re-gained a little (just little) bit speed.

Ivan,

Check here:

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3281743

This does not work!

My machine is still running:

Mac OS X Server Lion 10.7 (11A511)

There once was a post on Apple's site that specifically said that installing Server.app would not turn your workstation into a server.

Apparently, they've realized that that post was untrue.

Simply downloading and installing Server.app does indeed turn your computer into a server and there is no easy way to "undo" it.

Thanks Apple.

It's true, there is no easy way to remove the Server components. However I have put together a script that will disable all the Server services so at least they are not using resources.

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3281743

This will not remove or uninstall anything, it merely shuts down the server services.

If you want your computer to report that is is using the standard desktop version of Lion you can run this script then remove the file that identifies it as a Server:

/System/Library/CoreServices/ServerVersion.plist

Nice job! I ran the script and deleted the plist file. My Mac Pro has now reverted to the standard Lion version. I have also removed the server.app using Appzapper.

Thanks

This worked for me too.

I paid $50 to get the Lion Server. I believe you pay as well. Then why do we uninstall it? I want it work.

Maybe you didn't understand the post.

I have a working Lion server.

I installed Server.app on a different Mac that I wanted to use for remote administration.

Server.app turned that machine into a server. I did not want that.

Thus, I needed it removed.

--Pete

Pete,

If you just want to manage a server install the Apple Server Admin tools. They install the server app which allows you to manage any server, but does not installl the core system files that turn your Mac into a server.

http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1419

Some settings can only be configured using the "Server" app:

File Sharing

Address Book server

iCal server

iChat server

Time Machine server

VPN server

Web server

Wiki server

So if you want to configure these settings on a a remote server, your choices are:

1) Learn to do all these using command line

2) Install the "Server" app and turn your other Mac into a server

Neither is necessary, just don't bite when Server.app suggests you install it on the second machine.

When launching Server app on the second computer (managing your actual server), don't install the server, but instead choose 'connect to server' from the Manage menu of the Server app when the spash screen welcomes you.

To remove MAC OSX Lion Server completely , follow these steps one by one :

1- Download "TrashMe" and use it instead of native Trash.

2- Run TrashMe

3- Drag the "Server" application from application folder to the TrashMe box and delete all items.

4- Restart yor Mac

You'll see Server app again but be patient, go to 5th step 🙂

5- Run TrashMe again

6- Open finder, select your Hard Drive (not user's folder), goto /Library

7- Delete the "Server" folder again with TrashMe

8- Open Finder, select your Hard Drive (not user's folder) ,goto /System/Library/CoreServices

9- Delete serverversion.plist again with TrashMe

10- Restart yor Mac

11- Stop the Apache server using Terminal : sudo apachectl stop

12- Stop the PostGRESQL database server :

sudo launchctl unload -w /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/org.postgresql.plist

13- Stop the Server Performance Logging :

sudo launchctl unload -w /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.apple.ServerPerfLog.plist

14- Restart your Mac again and wait for your MAC OSX Lion to boot up completely

15- Check everything to work properly and then restart your Mac again and hold "option" to go to boot menu

16- select Recovery Disk and then use Disk Utility to verify/repair for both Permissions and Disk

Now, everything have rolled back to the state before installing Lion Server App

Enjoy your originals.

I FOUND IT!

Just go Computer/MacintoshHD/Library/Server and delete the contents of the folder.

Then delete the Server app from the Applications folder and it is gone.