Jan 19
Are you new to Mac OS X? Want to uninstall an application? For many apps, it’s really just as simple as finding the application in question and dragging it to the trashcan on the dock bar. However, it may leave some extraneous .pref files, et cetera.
One of the first apps you should install (until I find out other options), is AppCleaner (freeware!).
This neat little application works great and is as simple as dropping it into the trash can, but it will also remove those pesky little .pref files, and other items. The other neat thing about this, is that you can also simply find the application by clicking the Applications button, or if it’s a widget, click the Widgets button. “Coolio!”
If you have any Mac OS X tips, please feel free to email them to me at my gmail address, MacOSXDaily.
—Dave
Tagged with: AppCleaner • application removal • free • freeware • How To • Mac OS X • pref files • remove software • trash bin • trash can • uninstall • widget • widget removal
Sep 22
As a new Mac owner, I have been very pleased with all the built in Applications that came with my new iMac. The iLife suite truly rocks! However, there is one application that Apple failed to provide (and should). A utility to fully uninstall applications.
Yes, with the Mac we are told that it’s as simple as dragging the application icon to the Trash. Many times it is that easy. And many times it is not. I wish I would have known that before installing StuffIt (BTW– don’t install StuffIt!). Firefox was permanently affected by always offering me the option to use StuffIt for compressed file downloads even though I DRAGGED THE DARN STUFFIT APPLICATION ICON TO THE TRASH!!!! Yes, I intentionally yelled. It most certainly did not remove all vestiges of the application.
Being an old Linux hand, and an even older (dare I say it) Microsoft Windows hand, I’m used to there being ‘hold-over’ material when you install an application. Windows has the “Uninstall application” feature to take care of this, and Linux has the option to erase it via RPM (rpm -e <package>) or someother install/remove utility.
The Mac’s ability to remove an application is limited, and certainly not automated for those larger apps that inject their pref files, et cetera, all over the place. That’s where AppCleaner steps in. Instead of dragging that icon to the Trash icon, you simply open AppCleaner and either choose it from the list, or drag it onto the AppCleaner application. It searches for everything, and when you remove it– everything is removed. No vestiges. WooHoo!
Apple guys! I love ya, but someone needs to talk to the creator of AppCleaner and get this baby bundled in your next OS release!
Caio!
Tagged with: AppCleaner • Must Have App! • pref files • StuffIt! • uninstall • vestiges
