Uninstall third party software

Question

Level 2

323 points

Uninstall third party software

Hi. When I install software that just requires dragging the applications icon to the "Applications" folder I feel comfortable just dragging it to the trash if I no want it. But when an application uses an installer I don't. The application that I'm particularly concerned with (But also other installed apps) is "Tune Up My Mac". I unwittingly installed its developers because it FRAUDULENTLY" portrayed it as free. Yes, it's free to download but it costs $40 to be able to use it. And it runs automatically every time I start up my computer and gives me a hard time when I try to shut it down. I don't have $40 to spend on it even if I thought it was worth it. So can anybody please tell me how to safely and completely get rid of it? TIA

Posted on Mar 11, 2016 8:34 AM

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Answer 1

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,739 points

Mar 11, 2016 9:22 AM in response to Igor_G5

Any software, no matter where it comes from, that purports to automatically "clean up" or "speed up" a Mac is a scam.

Any third-party software that doesn't install from the App Store or by drag-and-drop into the Applications folder, and uninstall by drag-and-drop to the Trash, is a system modification.

Whenever you remove system modifications, they must be removed completely, and the only way to do that is to use the uninstallation tool, if any, provided by the developers, or to follow their instructions. If the software has been incompletely removed, you may have to re-download or even reinstall it in order to finish the job.

I never install system modifications myself, and except as stated in this comment, I don't know how to uninstall them. You'll have to do your own research to find that information.

Here are some general guidelines to get you started. Suppose you want to remove something called “BrickMyMac” (a hypothetical example.) First, consult the product's Help menu, if there is one, for instructions. Finding none there, look on the developer's website, say www.brickmymac.com. (That may not be the actual name of the site; if necessary, search the Web for the product name.) If you don’t find anything on the website or in your search, contact the developer. While you're waiting for a response, download BrickMyMac.dmg and open it. There may be an application in there such as “Uninstall BrickMyMac.” If not, open “BrickMyMac.pkg” and look for an Uninstall button. The uninstaller might also be accessed by clicking the Customize button, if there is one.

Back up all data before making any changes.

You will generally have to restart the computer in order to complete an uninstallation. Until you do that, there may be no effect, or unpredictable effects.

If you can’t remove software in any other way, you’ll have to erase and install OS X. Never install any third-party software unless you're sure you know how to uninstall it; otherwise you may create problems that are very hard to solve.

Trying to remove complex system modifications by hunting for files by name often will not work and may make the problem worse. The same goes for "utilities" such as "AppCleaner" and the like that purport to remove software.

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Answer 2

Igor_G5 Author

Level 2

323 points

Mar 11, 2016 11:42 PM in response to Linc Davis

Hi Linc. Thanks for the reply. I was not under the belief that it was going to build itself into my OS. It's not supposed to fix anything automatically. It's supposed to detect problems and allow me to choose what to do, which is what it does.I just didn't want it to run automatically when I start up my MacBook. And I was under the impression that it was free. It was just free to download. But you had to buy it to use it.

In my 32 years of using Macs many fine programs used installers, including many that were purchased directly from Apple. So apps that use installers don't send up red flags.

As it turns out I should have been more diligent instead of running to the Communities so quickly. The help menu in the program had an uninstaller. So all is well.

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