Installing and Uninstalling Programs

[MikeT]

On a windows machine when you install a program it puts many different pieces of junk all over the computer. When you go to uninstall the program several of those pieces are often left behind.

How do Macs handle uninstalling programs? Are several pieces installed and then left behind?

 

[Kash]

Mac applications are self-contained files, unlike Windows programs which install themselves in all sorts of folders. So getting rid of a program in OS X is as simple as dragging it to the trash

If you want to be really thorough, you can get yourself a program like AppDelete or AppZapper. These will get rid of every single reference to that program on your computer (sometimes a program will leave a preferences file in the Library folder, though it won't have any effect like an orphaned .dll)

 

[Mantronix]

Mac applications are self-contained files, unlike Windows programs which install themselves in all sorts of folders. So getting rid of a program in OS X is as simple as dragging it to the trash

If you want to be really thorough, you can get yourself a program like AppDelete or AppZapper. These will get rid of every single reference to that program on your computer (sometimes a program will leave a preferences file in the Library folder, though it won't have any effect like an orphaned .dll)

That's one of the features that make OS X way superior to Windows. :black:

 

[Smell The Glove]

AppDelete is a great little thing. Works like a charm and is nice and free, too. Love it.

Installing and uninstalling things on the Mac is one of my favorite things since I've switched.

 

[n9ae]

This is a very helpful thread. Just a clarifying question please.

I'm going to be installing Office 2004 Standard so I want to remove the test drive first. Do I just drage it from the applications folder into the trash? It seems too simple LOL.

 

[GulfVetSAF]

I use AppZapper, but I was wondering about the dragging of the Office Test as well... (I just dragged it to the trash)... so I'll be anxious to know what others say.

 

[technologist]

Microsoft, as usual, does not follow the rules...to fully remove the Office Test Drive, you should run the "Remove Office Test Drive" (or something like that) script in the Office folder.

Some Adobe apps are similarly tough to remove.

 

[GulfVetSAF]

Wonderful, so, what do you do if you already threw it into the trash?

 

[Sherman Homan]

Wonderful, so, what do you do if you already threw it into the trash?

I wouldn't worry, the residual files will either be rewritten when you install the real version or ignored by any other program. I have had no trouble just dragging and dropping the Test Drive into the Trash. And I have had issues with the Remover being overly aggressive.

 

[milessthomas]

If your installing office 2004 and your not using Iwork I would suggest trashing it. When I did it freed up a 1.12gb of space.

 

[NanoBite]

You can always run a SpotLight search for any files left over.

 

[pao2pao16]

wow. what i also like about the mac is that it's just drag and drop and drag and drop. even in deleting. but after messing around with my mac, i found some left over files. and it slighty annoys me because of im an organize person. i dont like unnecessary folders. so after searching the forums and found this. i ended up downloading appdelete and its great.

after this experience, my answer to the thread starter is yes, some have left overs and i use appdelete.

 

[DubeDude]

wow. what i also like about the mac is that it's just drag and drop and drag and drop. even in deleting. but after messing around with my mac, i found some left over files. and it slighty annoys me because of im an organize person. i dont like unnecessary folders. so after searching the forums and found this. i ended up downloading appdelete and its great.

after this experience, my answer to the thread starter is yes, some have left overs and i use appdelete.

My experience with appdelete is not as positive as these replies. I installed a couple of haxies that really screwed up my machine. When I tried to get all the bits using appdelete it missed a couple that were buried deep in my system. These continued to screw up my system for weeks until I finally found them. I am not dissing appdelete, which I use often, I am just adding a word of warning.

 

[knightlie]

My experience with appdelete is not as positive as these replies. I installed a couple of haxies that really screwed up my machine. When I tried to get all the bits using appdelete it missed a couple that were buried deep in my system. These continued to screw up my system for weeks until I finally found them. I am not dissing appdelete, which I use often, I am just adding a word of warning.

Haxies by their nature are going to prove difficult to remove like that. I tend to avoid them for that reason.

 

[Prise]

That's one of the features that make OS X way superior to Windows. :black:

I could not agree more!

Uninstalling programs under the Windows environment is easily one of the worst flaws of the OS. It makes loading trial software not worth it.

 

[qwinkan]

Haxies by their nature are going to prove difficult to remove like that. I tend to avoid them for that reason.

what are haxies? (^_^)
(sorry for the stupid question, but I'm a newbie you see...an extremely raw newbie)

 

[Mattlike]

what are haxies? (^_^)
(sorry for the stupid question, but I'm a newbie you see...an extremely raw newbie)

Haxies are apps like shapeshifter and Candybar (and the like) that allow you to modify the GUI of OS X and such.