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

Posted on Jun 27, 2013 10:32 AM

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3 replies

Jun 27, 2013 10:48 AM in response to Jason-K

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.

Jun 27, 2013 3:29 PM in response to Jason-K

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.

Jun 27, 2013 6:06 PM in response to Jason-K

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%.

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Software installer log files

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