ericfrombisamberg
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: how do I get rid of macupdate desktop

How do I get rid of macupdate desktop ?

Looking a lot like adware / malware, especially when MacKeeper keeps on popping up.

Tried the usual ways including dumping in trash and using app cleaner and app zapper.

In both instances I get a message that that macupdate is open and cannot be deleted,

thats after I have shut it down.

Anyone able to help please ????

Thanks.

iMac, OS X Mavericks (10.9)

Posted on Sep 1, 2015 9:10 AM

by Paul_31,Solvedanswer
Paul_31 Paul_31
Level 6 (13,925 points)
A:

I've never installed Macupdate, but it's possible their installer also has an uninstaller for removing the app. That would be the best way to remove the program. You may need to re-download the app to see if this is the case.

If there is no uninstaller, launch Activity Monitor in the Utilities folder, type macupdate in the search box, select the macupdate entry(ies) and click on the 'x' top left of the window to quite the process. Now try deleting the app as you tried previously.

Also check that there are no Macupdate items listed in System Preferences>Users & Groups>Login Items. If there are, they can be removed by clicking on the 'minus' button.

If successful, it may be worth finishing off with a restart.

Posted on Sep 1, 2015 9:32 AM

Close
ericfrombisamberg

Q: how do I get rid of macupdate desktop

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

  • by Paul_31,Solvedanswer

    Paul_31 Paul_31 Sep 1, 2015 9:32 AM in response to ericfrombisamberg
    Level 6 (13,925 points)
    Sep 1, 2015 9:32 AM in response to ericfrombisamberg

    I've never installed Macupdate, but it's possible their installer also has an uninstaller for removing the app. That would be the best way to remove the program. You may need to re-download the app to see if this is the case.

    If there is no uninstaller, launch Activity Monitor in the Utilities folder, type macupdate in the search box, select the macupdate entry(ies) and click on the 'x' top left of the window to quite the process. Now try deleting the app as you tried previously.

    Also check that there are no Macupdate items listed in System Preferences>Users & Groups>Login Items. If there are, they can be removed by clicking on the 'minus' button.

    If successful, it may be worth finishing off with a restart.

  • by ericfrombisamberg,

    ericfrombisamberg ericfrombisamberg Sep 1, 2015 10:53 AM in response to Paul_31
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Sep 1, 2015 10:53 AM in response to Paul_31

    Thanks for the tips Paul.

    Does not show up on Activity Monitor nor in System Prefs.

    Just been through the system and deleted all caches, but MacUpdate persists.

    Scary part is that when I quit the app I still get the "MU is open and cannot be deleted".

    Also a word to the unwary, it only updates paid apps.

    Also during updates it produces a dialogue box full of "A"s which looks like it wants serial numbers but

    cannot be read.     I am VERY unhappy with this software and will now take my iMac to my dealer

    who is the expert and let him clean up the problem.

    Thanks again.

    EM

  • by rkaufmann87,

    rkaufmann87 rkaufmann87 Sep 1, 2015 11:01 AM in response to ericfrombisamberg
    Level 9 (58,956 points)
    Photos for Mac
    Sep 1, 2015 11:01 AM in response to ericfrombisamberg

    Look in your Apps folder and look to see if MacUpdate has an uninstall utility. If it does not then you can drag the app to the Trash or you can use a utility such as AppCleaner to uninstall and remove parts of the app.

     

    Also, don't be shy about contacting the developer and ask for their recommendations for uninstalling.

  • by ericfrombisamberg,

    ericfrombisamberg ericfrombisamberg Sep 1, 2015 11:21 AM in response to rkaufmann87
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Sep 1, 2015 11:21 AM in response to rkaufmann87

    Thanks for your reply.

    No uninstaller.   

    Just carefully emptied all caches and used App Zapper (again).     This time it seems to have worked.   

    However the weird dialogue box full of the letter "A" has not gone away and blocks updates. 

    Tried a few browsers but it persists.     A job for my mac expert dealer I think.

    Thanks again.

  • by keramatfromrichmond hill,Helpful

    keramatfromrichmond hill keramatfromrichmond hill Jul 2, 2016 8:30 PM in response to ericfrombisamberg
    Level 1 (9 points)
    Jul 2, 2016 8:30 PM in response to ericfrombisamberg

    IT WORKED

     

    The reason you can't delete the Macupdate Desktop it stays open and can't be closed. The solution is easy Force Quite Applications in Mac acts like Task Manager in Windows.In Windows you use Ctr, Alt, and Delete keys, here you use the three keys of Command key, Option key, and Esc key together and then kill the job by Relaunch button at the bottom of the page.

  • by mamacc,

    mamacc mamacc Oct 18, 2016 7:31 AM in response to keramatfromrichmond hill
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Oct 18, 2016 7:31 AM in response to keramatfromrichmond hill

    Thank you!!!