Best way to fully uninstall Applications?

AdiosVista · Oct 28, 2008, 08:20 AM

First time Mac user, so I apologize for the dumb question. Should be pretty easy to answer for anyone who has used Leopard for any amount of time.

I've figured out that I can just drag certain applications into the trash to uninstall them but I sometimes find that there are still cache and other folders left over, mainly in the application support folders. What is the best method, or program, that you would recommend for uninstalling apps? Thank you.

pwn247 · Oct 28, 2008, 08:32 AM

There are a number of free utilities for this (and, of course, some payware ones too).

I use AppZapper ($12.95, from http://www.appzapper.com/ ). Whenever I need to get rid of an application, I just drag it into AppZapper, and it- literally- zaps! all other contents with that app (with a super-freaking-cool sound effect).

AdiosVista · Oct 28, 2008, 08:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pwn247

There are a number of free utilities for this (and, of course, some payware ones too).

I use AppZapper ($12.95, from http://www.appzapper.com/ ). Whenever I need to get rid of an application, I just drag it into AppZapper, and it- literally- zaps! all other contents with that app (with a super-freaking-cool sound effect).

Looks pretty handy, thanks! Any free alternatives?

yellow · Oct 28, 2008, 08:39 AM

Generally speaking, the detritus leftover is very small and does not negatively impact the performance of your system. So, you really don't need to worry too much about it.

iMJustAGuy · Oct 28, 2008, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pwn247

There are a number of free utilities for this (and, of course, some payware ones too).

I use AppZapper ($12.95, from http://www.appzapper.com/ ). Whenever I need to get rid of an application, I just drag it into AppZapper, and it- literally- zaps! all other contents with that app (with a super-freaking-cool sound effect).

What if you decide you dont want appzapper anymore and need to ZAP it? Can it consume itself?

eluk · Oct 28, 2008, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AdiosVista

Looks pretty handy, thanks! Any free alternatives?

AppDelete

chrisandersen · Oct 28, 2008, 11:41 AM

What if you have already deleted the app by putting in trash. How can you go back and see if anything is left over?

chilipie · Oct 28, 2008, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrisandersen

What if you have already deleted the app by putting in trash. How can you go back and see if anything is left over?

If the application's sitting in the trash, just drag it back to the Applications folder and run AppZapper/AppDelete.

riscy · Oct 28, 2008, 11:54 AM

You can also look at AppTrap which is very free.

rychencop · Oct 28, 2008, 01:01 PM

drag the app to the trash and then secure empty the trash. it'll get rid of it.

Chrysaor · Oct 28, 2008, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wdaleherring

What if you decide you dont want appzapper anymore and need to ZAP it? Can it consume itself?

You can zap its preference and cache files, and thrash the .app itself.

Oct 28, 2008, 08:20 AM	#1
AdiosVista macrumors 6502 Join Date: Sep 2008	Best way to fully uninstall Applications? First time Mac user, so I apologize for the dumb question. Should be pretty easy to answer for anyone who has used Leopard for any amount of time. I've figured out that I can just drag certain applications into the trash to uninstall them but I sometimes find that there are still cache and other folders left over, mainly in the application support folders. What is the best method, or program, that you would recommend for uninstalling apps? Thank you.
	0

Oct 28, 2008, 08:32 AM	#2
pwn247 macrumors 6502 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: West Virginia, USA	There are a number of free utilities for this (and, of course, some payware ones too). I use AppZapper ($12.95, from http://www.appzapper.com/ ). Whenever I need to get rid of an application, I just drag it into AppZapper, and it- literally- zaps! all other contents with that app (with a super-freaking-cool sound effect). __________________ Mac Pro, Dual Intel Xeon CPUs at 2.66GHz each, 3GB RAM, ATi HD4870, 500GB + 250GB. iPod Touch, 2nd Generation, 8 Gigabytes.
	0

Oct 28, 2008, 11:54 AM	#9
riscy macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Kazakhstan	You can also look at AppTrap which is very free. __________________ Freeware4Macs
	0

Oct 28, 2008, 01:01 PM	#10
rychencop macrumors 65816 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: http://www.northaugusta.net/	drag the app to the trash and then secure empty the trash. it'll get rid of it. __________________ 15.4" 2.4GHz A1226 MBP, 4Gb Ram, 160Gb HDD, ML 10.8.2 3G Nano , iPhone 5
	0

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Oct 28, 2008, 08:39 AM	#4
yellow Demi-God (Moderator) Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: I love you, food.	Generally speaking, the detritus leftover is very small and does not negatively impact the performance of your system. So, you really don't need to worry too much about it.
	0

Oct 28, 2008, 11:41 AM	#7
chrisandersen macrumors regular Join Date: Sep 2008	What if you have already deleted the app by putting in trash. How can you go back and see if anything is left over?
	0

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