Does the Mac have a registry?

Question

Does the Mac have a registry?

In Windows, when you uninstall a program, it leaves various dll and registry entries. What about a Mac?

There are various software programs in Windows that claim to be able to clean up registry entries from uninstall procedures. Can you buy such programs for the Mac?

Posted on Jan 18, 2007 3:42 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

landrefl

Level 1

80 points

Jan 18, 2007 4:28 AM in response to Michael Malek

Simple answer..... no... Mac OS X is not Windows!

The applications are self contained (you can right mouse click on them and "show content" to see what makes up the said application.

This does have a MAJOR advantage over Windows, it means that your system will ALWAYS be lighting fast no matter how many apps you have!

There are some residual data left behind after you simple drag the application to the trash to delete, in your <home>Library-Application Support-<application>... This is to keep certain info by some apps... ok to delete as well.

If this is helpful, click on "Helped" or "Solved"

Have fun deleting your apps!

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Answer 2

diffkid

Level 3

790 points

Jan 18, 2007 6:30 AM in response to landrefl

Some applictions do come packaged with an uninstaller, that will remove any files outside of the bundle (or folder). In addition to the Application Support folder, app preference files are stored in Library -> Preferences.

I've been using Macs for about five years now, and the brain dead simplicty of just dragging an app to the trash still makes me feel like I'm missing something. I guess using Add/Remove Programs on Windows was just such a traumatizing experience.

Welcome to OS X. The land of no registry. Rejoice!

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Answer 3

dotnet

Level 1

120 points

Jan 18, 2007 7:23 AM in response to landrefl

Actually, how well applications clean up after themselves during uninstallation depends on how they were packaged. Plus, you make have per-user plist files lying around, that may surprise you if you later decide to install that app again and think you start from a clean slate...

Cheers
Steffen.

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