Do you delete leftover files after deleting an app?

[Alpha Centauri]

I see AppCleaner isn't available through the App Store. Just wondering if the official site is FreeMacSoft, with Julien Ramseier as the Dev?

 

[bogdanw]

I see AppCleaner isn't available through the App Store. Just wondering if the official site is FreeMacSoft, with Julien Ramseier as the Dev?

Yes, it's linked in the second post of the thread https://freemacsoft.net/appcleaner/
Signature details for AppCleaner_3.6.8.zip https://www.virustotal.com/gui/file...0182521e4b6672ea681b34931b180feb3d6be/details

 

[Alpha Centauri]

Yes, it's linked in the second post of the thread https://freemacsoft.net/appcleaner/
Signature details for AppCleaner_3.6.8.zip https://www.virustotal.com/gui/file...0182521e4b6672ea681b34931b180feb3d6be/details

Good one, thanks.

I've got the current version running on my Catalina Mac, wrongly remembered DL from the App Store back then. For my Sonoma Mac just wanted to be sure it's coming from the right source as I was spooked a bit by FreeMacSoft displaying ©2023 in 2024.

Cheers for confirming.

 

[bousozoku]

I use AppCleaner, and have for years, but it still doesnt get everything. After I run it I will still look for left over files, and on occasion find some.

It's more difficult when the developer has changed the app name a time or two, but forgot to change some internal references, making some resources unfamiliar.

 

[coffeemilktea]

On one hand, I almost never delete apps and I probably wouldn't bother trying to find and delete any "leftover" files.

...but on the other, I do a clean install of my Mac every couple of years. Is this more or less work? I'm not entirely sure now. 😅

(to be fair, I've reached the point where the only software I install is Pixelmator Pro, some browsers, Xcode and some other software development stuff, and a bunch of command line apps in the Terminal)

 

[Pakaku]

Not sure what the point is unless those leftovers take up a lot of space or still running something for whatever reason.

 

[bogdanw]

Not sure what the point is unless those leftovers take up a lot of space or still running something for whatever reason.

You can see in the image from post #21 that Brave can leave behind ~3GB of trash. From the image in post #6 you can see that apps can leave services behind. Others can leave launch agents and launch daemons.

 

[Alpha Centauri]

Not sure what the point is unless those leftovers take up a lot of space or still running something for whatever reason.

It's just something you do or don't mind I guess and does personally bother me. I like a lean system without left overs on it, and comparatively (for me) it's akin to removing/ throwing a bicycle rack/ basket out but leaving the mounting brackets in situ. And it doesn't matter if it's GB or mere KB as I just don't like it.

 

[Ifti]

Another vote for AppCleaner here.
I do not add and remove software very often to be fair, but when I do remove I use AppCleaner.