How do you find the Incompatible Software folder?

I need to delete Trend Micro Surfing software off of the Incompatible Software folder, but I am can not after several searches locate where this folder is on my Mac. The computer tells me it set the folder up on my startup disk, but when I open startup disk in my system preference, locating or choosing this folder is not an option. I have no idea where else to look or what else to try. Any help or assistance would be GREATLY appreciated. Thank you!

iMac, OS X El Capitan (10.11.6)

Posted on Sep 6, 2016 9:56 PM

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8 replies

Sep 6, 2016 10:02 PM in response to gbohannon45

The startup disk used to be shown on the Desktop but that was changed & it leads to this type of confusion.


To open it now in Finder use the 'Go menu > Computer'. A Finder window will open with all the connected disks listed. Your startup disk may be called 'Macintosh HD' unless you renamed this disk after installing OS X.


The 'startup disk' shown in System Preferences is actually the same disk but it is used to select the disk that will boot your Mac. Changing that will cause the Mac to use another disk to run from so be careful with that preference.

Sep 8, 2016 12:36 AM in response to gbohannon45

The app should be in that folder according to Apple…

About incompatible software on your Mac - Apple Support


Have you moved the app to the Trash & not emptied it? Click the trashcan in the Dock to see if it is still on the system waiting to be deleted. The Trash is emptied from the 'Finder menu > Empty Trash'.


I don't think you need or want to run Norton but that is up to you. Norton can make your Mac less secure & slower so I think it should be avoided.

Sep 6, 2016 11:36 PM in response to Drew Reece

This was helpful. I could now locate the Incompatible Software folder. My Mac tells me that it automatically stored the "Trend Micro Surfing" software in this folder when the computer upgraded to the newest OS X. However, it is not located in this folder from what I can tell. I am unable to load new security software (Norton) to my Mac because it tells me I need to delete this program first. The problem is I can not locate this program. It the Mac hid it; it hid it good. Can you possibly help me with this?

Sep 7, 2016 4:49 AM in response to gbohannon45

I am unable to load new security software (Norton) to my Mac because it tells me I need to delete this program first.

Gonna go from bad to worse, huh?


Does Spotlight find it?

If not, you can try a Finder search using System Files.

Start by opening a folder showing your Startup drive (Macintosh HD).

Type the name of the program into the Finder search field.

On the right side of the Search bar, click the + button.

Click on Kind popup menu and select Other...

Find the System Files option and select it.

Set it to "Are included".

make sure it is searching "This Mac"

If the program shows up in the search, you can Get Info on it to see where it is located, or if you have the path bar showing, you can see it at the bottom of the window.

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How do you find the Incompatible Software folder?

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