Difference between uninstall and move to trash?

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Level 1

11 points

Difference between uninstall and move to trash?

Hi!

I was just looking for some help/clarification, i was looking for apps that helped me record sound from my mac internally (not just from the mic) and downloaded a few applications from online, soundflower was one, I think it's certificate had expired as it was an old application, when the app (+ another) didn't seem to work i wanted to uninstall them, I noticed that the instructions on the web were to run the uninstall files, rather than just move to trash as I have been used to since I had my mac, I was wondering if there was a difference between these two actions, as for one of the apps when I tried to open the uninstall file it opened a script editor which i'm totally unfamiliar with,

Thanks for any help you can give me! This is my first post 🙂

MacBook Air (13-inch, Early 2015), OS X El Capitan (10.11.6)

Posted on Aug 3, 2016 8:45 PM

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Answer 1

Niel

Community+ 2026

Level 10

743,489 points

Aug 3, 2016 8:48 PM in response to mikenrai

Running an uninstaller will remove support files located outside the application, and may also remove its preference file.

(143831)

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Answer 2

gcarmel

Level 1

44 points

Aug 3, 2016 9:05 PM in response to mikenrai

When you uninstall a third party application, usually the provided uninstaller will remove it's root files that it's downloaded within your computer's source files. Deleting it from your computer usually just removes the application so you can no longer use it but it may keep it's embedded files in your computer's hidden folders. I recommend AppCleaner, it's free and sufficiently removes what you decide should completely leave your computer!

Link to more information: http://lifehacker.com/5828738/the-best-app-uninstaller-for-mac

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Answer 3

leroydouglas

Level 10

200,634 points

Aug 3, 2016 8:50 PM in response to mikenrai

Always use an uninstaller if the software offers it.

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Answer 4

Aug 3, 2016 9:05 PM in response to mikenrai

If an application is contained in single file you can drag it to the Trash to get rid of it.

On the the other hand if the installer for the application put bits and pieces everywhere on your system then the only way to get rid of it is to use an uninstall procedure written by the developer that knows where all of the bits and pieces were installed.

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Answer 5

mikenrai Author

Level 1

11 points

Aug 3, 2016 9:05 PM in response to gcarmel

hey thanks i get it, so do you have any idea why when i tried to open the uninstaller it opened the script editor?

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Answer 6

mikenrai Author

Level 1

11 points

Aug 3, 2016 9:07 PM in response to Allan Eckert

Hey thanks I understand! do you have any idea why when i tried to open the uninstaller it opened the script editor? Also is it in any way a work-around to search the name of the app and drag all the files that contain it (including the uninstaller) to the trash, or could there still be lots of pieces hidden away?

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Answer 7

Niel

Community+ 2026

Level 10

743,489 points

Aug 3, 2016 9:15 PM in response to mikenrai

Either it's a compiled AppleScript that wasn't saved as an application, or a problem occurred while running it. The script's code should contain a list of the files it'll remove.

(143832)

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Answer 8

mikenrai Author

Level 1

11 points

Aug 3, 2016 9:26 PM in response to Niel

thanks Niel, you're right about it containing the list of files, the file was locked and a read only, not really sure what that means but I think that's why I couldn\t run it for some reason

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