completely deleting applications and their contents off mac

Question

completely deleting applications and their contents off mac

Hi - I am testing out a few new software apps on my mac as I need to update programs and wont buy into Adobe subscriber system. As a result, I want to be sure everything is removed. I have read on line that just dragging an app into the trash doesn't remove hidden files that can build up over time.I understand that this can be done by opening up finder - searching for the app by name using the option "this mac". then selecting "show package contents". That seems simple. My question - how can I be sure the contents packages don't contain any important shared files? I don't want to unintentionally delete any important shared files for the functionality of my computer. I just want to remove the apps completely. Would like some confirmation on this method of removal before I start removing software. Would appreciate some advise. I'm running Yose

Posted on Sep 30, 2015 12:47 AM

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Answer 1

Barney-15E

Level 10

123,020 points

Sep 30, 2015 4:33 AM in response to happy creative

If you install a program by using an Installer, then you need to find the uninstaller or the instructions provided by the software developer.

If the program is Drag and Drop or from the Mac App Store, you can just drag it to the trash.

Application Support files do not "build up over time." At most, it is a few kb of preferences and maybe something in Application Support.

Using any kind of App Cleaner will more than likely damage your system by removing something it shouldn't.

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Answer 2

Lexiepex

Level 6

14,108 points

Sep 30, 2015 4:42 AM in response to happy creative

I agree with Barney (of course 😉):

Apps that are installed from the Appstore you can just drag into the Trash.

Other apps by good developers should have either an uninstaller included (open the original dmg file and se it it also has an uninstaller), or dedicated uninstall instructions.

When there is no uninstaller search the website (and forum) of the developer.

The size of the leftovers is not important (as Barney said), but it may be that these leftovers are still started (in the launchDaemos and Launchagents and Kext folders): then it is better to get rid of them.

Tell us which apps you want to uninstall, and maybe we know what leftovers must be gone. Or better still and make an etrecheck list www.etresoft.com/etrecheck and post it here.

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Answer 3

Sep 30, 2015 6:16 AM in response to Barney-15E

yes agree not using an app cleaner - I was going to use the Finder to identify the package contents then delete the entire package. The products are all drop and drag mac apps - they are recommended by Mac - i haven't purchased them as I am checking them out so I cannot get them from the Mac App store as demos. When I decide which to purchase I can do that through the App store.

I did a search on the websites as suggested. The programs are Affinity Photo [https://affinity.serif.com/en-us/. I have just emailed Serif.com who produce Affinity to find out if they are just drop and drag. Great program will purchase it after trial runs out. The second program Blocsapp.com - http://blocsapp.com/index.html useless website - no contact details so I can't ask anyone. Neither program had dmg file installation. Both are basic small programs sold on Mac App store specifically as Mac programs.

So I figure just take them out with the trash at the end of the trial time?

Re: checking LaunchDeamos folders etc - all apple.com files in them - that is why i thought deleting the contents packages via Finder was the way to go?

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Answer 4

Lexiepex

Level 6

14,108 points

Sep 30, 2015 7:01 AM in response to happy creative

As I said, the apps from the Appstore you can uninstall by dumping them to the trash.

The etrecheck list would reveal all that you have to delete.

BTW, apps from the Appstore are not "mac programs", they must comply with apple prescriptions to be available from the Appstore, that is all.

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