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Looking for an app deleter and folder comparer

MacBH928

MacBH928

macrumors G3
Original poster
May 17, 2008
8,762
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I am looking for recommendations for 2 apps

1-I want something that deletes an app with all its spread out files throughout the systems. I don't want to collect residue over the years in the library folder. I used to use AppDelete which was great but developed by 1 person and I am not sure if developement has ceased.

2-I want a file/folder comparing utility. I have 2 folders on 2 computers and I want to compare them with each other to see which files/folders are the same and which were alternated so I can move them over. There is an app on the mac app store called "Compare Folders" which seems to do exactly this but doesn't look reliable.
 
For app deletion app, try Synium Software CleanApp.
For file synchronisation I used to use Econ Chronosync. But now simply use iCloud Drive.
 
MacBH928 said:
very intersting obscure suggestion... I will look into it. how long have you been using it?
Click to expand...

Many years. Mainly for the text comparison but also for folders where I often keep "backups" of files in sync on external drives.
 
MacBH928 said:
1-I want something that deletes an app with all its spread out files throughout the systems. I don't want to collect residue over the years in the library folder. I used to use AppDelete which was great but developed by 1 person and I am not sure if developement has ceased.
Click to expand...

I use Hazel for this. Works well for me.
 
superscape said:
Hi,

Do you mean all the files it created e.g. .doc files if you were deleting Word? Or do you mean associated files like Preferences, things in Application Support etc?

Or, I suppose, both!?

r.
Click to expand...

No I mean associated files. I want it to delete the app like I have never installed it before. I learned MacOS tends to keep a lot of residue files and folder all around which confuses me as time goes on and I wonder why I still have this file or folder. I think it hinders the performance of the computer too.

There is a great app that will do this exactly called AppDelete, unfortunately its created by 1 developer and he seems to have disappeared. This is the problem with indy software.
 
Weaselboy said:
I've been using App Cleaner mentioned up in post #4 and it works really well for this.
Click to expand...

Everyone seems to recommand this one, is it the App Cleaner & Uninstaller on the App Store? It has the same problem with 1 developer so you never know when they will quit on you. There was a very good copy&paste app abandoned by the 1 developer too called ClipMenu.

I guess I will go with this one, though I would really liked to support the AppDelete developer. Good guy gave years of free updates.
 
I do not recommend App Cleaner or any similar app. You don't need "cleaner" apps for your Mac, and many of them can cause more harm than good. No cleaner or app removal software does a thorough job of finding and removing files/folders related to deleted apps. For more information, read this and this. If you just want to delete the app, drag the .app file to the trash. No other software needed. If you want to completely remove all associated files/folders, no removal apps will do the job.
​
The most effective method for complete app removal is manual deletion:
 
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MacBH928 said:
Everyone seems to recommand this one, is it the App Cleaner & Uninstaller on the App Store? It has the same problem with 1 developer so you never know when they will quit on you. There was a very good copy&paste app abandoned by the 1 developer too called ClipMenu.

I guess I will go with this one, though I would really liked to support the AppDelete developer. Good guy gave years of free updates.
Click to expand...

https://freemacsoft.net/appcleaner/

You want the free App Cleaner straight from the devs web site.

What it seems to do is when you drag an app into it to delete, it essentially does the Finder search for you that is described in the steps at GGJStudios links there. For example, using the manual method in Finder, you would search for say Skype then delete files that look like they are part of the Skype install. This app seems to be doing the same thing when you drop the Skype app into it... it just shows files with Skype in the name for you to select and delete. I have not found the end result to be any different than doing this manually.
 
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