Unable to uninstall "Plex Media Server."

aerlenbach · Oct 8, 2011

A few months ago I downloaded "plex" to my MBP. I thought it was neat, but wasn't something that I wanted on my primary machine. So, I threw away the Plex application. However, every time I restart my machine, "Plex Media Server" opens up. Obviously it's useless without "Plex," so I just ignored it.
Then I installed Lion. (I dunno if this might have something to do with the problem)
Now. I want to remove "Plex Media Server" because it's annoying, and useless, and I'd rather rid myself of the problem forever. So, I looked onto the Plex site, and it says this...

To completely remove the Plex Client and Plex Media Server from your Mac OS Computer:

Make sure the Plex Client and Plex Media Server are not running
Delete the following Files and Folders:
/Applications/Plex.app
~/Library/Application Support/Plex
~/Library/Application Support/Plex Media Server
~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.plexapp.mediaserver.plist
~/Library/Preferences/com.plexapp.plexmediaserver.plist
~/Library/Preferences/com.plexsquared.Plex.plist

Making it simple for me, of course.
The only problem is, I checked all of those folders in my library folder, and nothing with the name "Plex" or "plex media server" is in the folders. They're just not there. I've searched, I promise. I'll take a picture of all of these folders and put it in the thread if requested. So my question is, how can I uninstall something that my computer claims doesn't actually exist?

GGJstudios · Oct 9, 2011

aerlenbach said:
So my question is, how can I uninstall something that my computer claims doesn't actually exist?

The most effective method for complete app removal is manual deletion:

Best way to FULLY DELETE a program

hleewell · Nov 10, 2011

aerlenbach said:
A few months ago I downloaded "plex" to my MBP. I thought it was neat, but wasn't something that I wanted on my primary machine. So, I threw away the Plex application. However, every time I restart my machine, "Plex Media Server" opens up. Obviously it's useless without "Plex," so I just ignored it.
Then I installed Lion. (I dunno if this might have something to do with the problem)
Now. I want to remove "Plex Media Server" because it's annoying, and useless, and I'd rather rid myself of the problem forever. So, I looked onto the Plex site, and it says this... So my question is, how can I uninstall something that my computer claims doesn't actually exist?

In Finder, click Go>Go to Folder... and type ~/Library. In Preferences folder, look for com.plexapp, and obliterate those m*$#@f#$%#%%rs. Now you will have Peace my friend.

GGJstudios · Nov 10, 2011

hleewell said:
In Finder, click Go>Go to Folder... and type ~/Library. In Preferences folder, look for com.plexapp, and obliterate those m*$#@f#$%#%%rs. Now you will have Peace my friend.

Deleting only the .plist will not remove all remnants of the app. There are many other files/folders beyond that which you find in the Preferences folder. The link I posted will show you how to find them all.

deafgoose · Nov 14, 2011

I use a program called CleanMyMac to uninstall programs.

So far its worked really well for me.

GGJstudios · Nov 14, 2011

deafgoose said:
I use a program called CleanMyMac to uninstall programs.

In most cases, app removal software, including CleanMyMac, doesn't do a thorough job of finding and removing files/folders related to deleted apps. For more information, read this.

One app that I would not recommend, based on the number of complaints that have been posted in this forum and elsewhere, is CleanMyMac. As an example: CleanMyMac cleaned too much.

tootall · Dec 9, 2011

Files in ~/library are hidden?

I had the same problems and solved it following the advices in this thread -- thank you!!!

But I still have two general questions:

1) I searched for plex and the "finder" did not identify any files. Can the finder look in all directories or some are hidden?

2) I even looked manually and did not find the files until I realized that Plex was running; are the files in the library hidden when the app is running?

Thanks

GGJstudios · Dec 9, 2011

tootall said:
1) I searched for plex and the "finder" did not identify any files. Can the finder look in all directories or some are hidden?
2) I even looked manually and did not find the files until I realized that Plex was running; are the files in the library hidden when the app is running?

Did you follow all of the steps in the link in post #2 of this thread? Pay particular attention to steps 5-7.

ruffhousen · Apr 21, 2012

The Library May be hidden

I was having the same issue, not able to locate the Plex source files. That was until I came across an article that indicated that /Library is hidden by default in LION. The process to correct this as follows:

chflags nohidden ~/Library

Source: http://hints.macworld.com/article.php?story=20110704093233123

simsaladimbamba · Apr 21, 2012

ruffhousen said:
I was having the same issue, not able to locate the Plex source files. That was until I came across an article that indicated that /Library is hidden by default in LION. The process to correct this as follows:

chflags nohidden ~/Library

Source: http://hints.macworld.com/article.php?story=20110704093233123

And the search method laid out by Mister GGJstudios circumvents that, thus you don't need to resurrect, ahem, make the Library folder visible.

Mal · Apr 21, 2012

ruffhousen said:
I was having the same issue, not able to locate the Plex source files. That was until I came across an article that indicated that /Library is hidden by default in LION. The process to correct this as follows:

chflags nohidden ~/Library

Source: http://hints.macworld.com/article.php?story=20110704093233123

Unnecessary, unless you're going into the Library repeatedly (which would probably indicate that you're doing something that's not really a good idea), plus each OS update is likely to wipe out that setting. Easier to simply hold option and click the Go menu, or place a shortcut in your sidebar, neither of which will be altered by updates. As GGJstudios said, his method also negates the need for this.

jW

swordfish5736 · Apr 21, 2012

Did you try going to system pref-> users -> login items
And remove plex from there? It should been removed with all the deleting you have done but maybe it's still there

GGJstudios · Apr 21, 2012

CRIIM44 said:
Did you try going to system pref-> users -> login items
And remove plex from there? It should been removed with all the deleting you have done but maybe it's still there

The method in post #2 would remove that item, along with everything else related to the app. There's no need to navigate to any specific folder, as the search will find all app components, wherever they are located.

RWinOR · Aug 1, 2012

GGJstudios said:
The method in post #2 would remove that item, along with everything else related to the app. There's no need to navigate to any specific folder, as the search will find all app components, wherever they are located.

I too have a problem with Plex loading when I boot. I have tried all the suggestions and still cannot find it anywhere? I tried looking in finder, I tried spotlight, The full deletion in post 2 and this one. Plex is not listed anywhere yet it always opens.

I have updated to Mountain lion but I had this issue with lion too. Finally getting tired of it.

Any other suggestions?

Thank you

GGJstudios · Aug 1, 2012

RWinOR said:
I too have a problem with Plex loading when I boot. I have tried all the suggestions and still cannot find it anywhere? I tried looking in finder, I tried spotlight, The full deletion in post 2 and this one. Plex is not listed anywhere yet it always opens.

Complete steps 1-7 of those instructions in post#2, then take a screen shot of your Finder window and post it.

epley · Jan 27, 2013

Fixed

GGJstudios said:
The most effective method for complete app removal is manual deletion:

Best way to FULLY DELETE a program

I had the same problem with the evil app pled--everything was hidden--the full app, preferences, etc. Evil. These directions fixed the problem! Thank you!

----------

GGJstudios said:
Complete steps 1-7 of those instructions in post#2, then take a screen shot of your Finder window and post it.

The plex files are hidden. You must follow GGJStudios' directions, and click the plus button, add "other" search criteria for file visibility and choose visible and invisible. It will miraculously show up--all of it.

Paha_Keisari · Nov 6, 2015

RWinOR said:
I too have a problem with Plex loading when I boot. I have tried all the suggestions and still cannot find it anywhere? I tried looking in finder, I tried spotlight, The full deletion in post 2 and this one. Plex is not listed anywhere yet it always opens.

I have updated to Mountain lion but I had this issue with lion too. Finally getting tired of it.

Any other suggestions?

Thank you

Hello there. I had the exact same problem. Couldn't find the files, tried to unhide the library and so on. Finally I realized that I was looking at Macintosh HD/Library (I thought this was logical) and was supposed to be looking at User/Library instead! There I found all the files as described here earlier. I hope this will help you

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Unable to uninstall "Plex Media Server."

aerlenbach

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GGJstudios

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hleewell

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GGJstudios

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deafgoose

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GGJstudios

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tootall

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GGJstudios

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ruffhousen

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Mal

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GGJstudios

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epley

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