Software installer log files
Does the Mac keep or create a viewable log of all files that are created (and where) when installing new software? Thanks.
iMac, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.4), 27in Intel Core i5
Does the Mac keep or create a viewable log of all files that are created (and where) when installing new software? Thanks.
iMac, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.4), 27in Intel Core i5
You can look in Console > Install log on the Sidebar and then filter for what you're looking for. For instance in the upper right hand search filed type iTunes.
EDIT: Also, there's a neat list in Apple Menu > About this Mac > More Info > System Report > Installations in the Sidebar but it wion't tell you where it is installed.
The short answer is "no."
If software is installed using the OS X Installer or through the App Store, a "receipt" file with a name ending in ".bom" is created in the directory /var/db/receipts. That file can be read, most easily using the third-party application called "Pacifist." It may or may not contain a complete list of installed files. You can't rely on it.
If you install software from the App Store, then it is pretty easy to track down. Everything is inside the application's bundle in /Applications.
If you hav 3rd party installers, they can use different methods to install files so there is not way to know for certain what they are doing. I recommend Suspicious Package to check before installing. It doesn't work with all installers but maybe 80%.
Software installer log files