Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Application folder question
- Thread starter looxlmc
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
If I understand your question, the answer is yes, the only place apps should be installed is in your /Applications folder. The only variation to that is if you want an app to be available to only one user. In that case, you may be able to install in the ~/Applications folder. Be aware that some apps will not update or function properly if they're not installed in the default folder.Hey, i have a realy short but quick question. I have install apps on my imac, i wonder.
Is the only the app folder necessary for run apps installd in the app folder?
/ Thanks for all!
iLife for example won't update if you move it. (I tend to put the applications in a folder marked iLife so the path was /Applications/iLife/iPhoto for example) until it told me I had updates, but software update couldn't see them. Moving it back to /Applications fixed that.
Yes that's right, lots of apps warn you now anyway.
Just a good policy to keep them there for tidiness factor too.
If you're looking for organization, it's better to leave all your apps in the /Applications folder. Just create aliases for the apps (or only the apps you use frequently, if you wish). Put the aliases in another folder under your user folder, called something like "Apps". Then drag the Apps folder to your Dock in place of the Applications folder. You can create subfolders for the aliases to your heart's content, without risking problems.
Which is where Launch Pad begins to show its value... you can arrange the icons in Launch Pad independently of how the apps are stored in the Applications folder. Yet another subtle reminder from Apple that you don't need to dig down into the file system!
There is no need to do that. Reinstalling Mac OS X will not remove your installed apps or user files. Before reinstalling, it's always a good idea to back up your drive.I will try to copy the app folder to antother drive. Then reinstall mac os x and tehn copy it back. That would work fine?
Actually that's not a bad idea. That way I can have my version of the 'Games' folder and then a censored version for the kids with the likes of Left 4 Dead removed.