How to uninstall applications

N

nolaG4

Registered
i usually trash the drag the application itself into the trash, and then "find" all instances of that app's name and trash those too.

this seems like a bad way of doing it.

is there a better/safer way of getting rid of applications i don't want?(particularly shareware that i don't want to keep)
 
just delete the application

all the configuration stuff is generally both tiny and totally inconsequential, I dont bother cleaning it out except as an insomnia cure every few months
 
In case it does bother you (eventhough it really won't), you should take a look at the Application Support folder in your Library and also check the Preferences folder. Just search for files that seem to be involved with your app.. ;)
But watch out, you can mess if you accidently delete wrong files.
 
Hi

I am still fairly new to owning an Apple Mac. To uninstall a program is it just a matter of dragging the program folder from the application folder and dragging it into the Trash can?
 
Yes. That's basically it.

If you also want to get rid of your preferences for the application and other stuff the app may have installed, look at /Users/YOURNAME/Library/Preferences and search for the app's name in that folder. Plus: "/Library/Application Support" might contain something, too.
 
Sweet!

Still cant beleive how much simpler it is to uninstall an application compared to doing it on Windows. I mean, I know it isnt exactly complicated on windows, but you can beat the simplicity of just dragging into the trash can! ;) I'll take a look in the preferences folder now and again as well.

Cheers

C
 
Also, if you add third-party apps, many offer an uninstaller as well. Just click on the uninstall and it should take care of the dirty work.
 
A few applications such as download managers that in one way or another modify or add to the functionality of still other applications often place plugins, and/or other bits parts or pieces in different parts of the OS. The original application name may not be any help in finding these either. Deleting the app and leaving these odd pieces around can cause unexpected and undesirable side effects. As an example, "Speed Download" has often caused this type of problem. Fortunately most products of this type come either with an uninstall option in their installer or a separate uninstaller app. If there is an uninstaller or uninstall option you should always use it for just that reason.
 
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