Remove programs

How do I remove a program from my Mac? I'm using OSX 10.5.8.

Drag it from the Applications folder to the trash.

wavinwayne said:

Drag it from the Applications folder to the trash.

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What about the associated files like startup files and file associations? I see people talking about AppZapper but it is only for OSX 10.6 and I have OSX 10.5.

Try AppCleaner. One thing to note is that if an application has an uninstaller, make sure to use that as opposed to simply dragging it to the Trash.

eddyq said:

What about the associated files like startup files and file associations? I see people talking about AppZapper but it is only for OSX 10.6 and I have OSX 10.5.

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Unlike Windows those sort of things will not negativley impact the Mac. Apps don't throw random files hither and yon in the system, everything important is kept in the App which is itself just a container for all of it's parts. What is left are prefs files and maybe a startup file which simply take up a little space, but do nothing else.

A good rule of thumb is if an App came with an uninstaller (some do), use it. Otherwise, you don't need one.

FYI, AppZapper is available for 10.5.8 (I'm running it) you just have to look for it.

baggss said:

A good rule of thumb is if an App came with an uninstaller (some do), use it. Otherwise, you don't need one.

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So there is really no need for AppCleaner or AppZapper?

eddyq said:

So there is really no need for AppCleaner or AppZapper?

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In some cases a 3rd ware party to un-install apps are not needed because the developers include a un-installer app. AppZapper is just a good app to have incase the app you want to un-install doesn't come with a installer.

Uninstalling on a Mac is generally less hassle than on Windows. The registry allows all sorts of files to be installed all over the place. Dragging an application to the trash should usually do the trick (unless there is a specific uninstaller to use). The one or two little files left behind are in your Library folder, just taking up a few kb, not affecting anything. IF you really want to get rid of every little trace of an application, you can try AppCleaner, but it's not necessary at all.

eddyq said:

So there is really no need for AppCleaner or AppZapper?

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The Windows types like them, because it satisfies some sort of compulsion they've become used to.

I've never used an uninstaller. They doubtless take more space than all the preferences files you'll ever accumulate.