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Places applications store additional files?
- Thread starter -Ryan-
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SilentPanda
Moderator emeritus
Are you looking simply just to save space? Most of the extra files are so tiny you won't even notice them. They are littered around. If there is some other reason it might be worth it I guess but maybe if we knew more why you were trying to do this we could tell you if it'd even be worth the effort. I can't see any reason why you'd want to waste the day. 🙂
If the apps are still installed though, App Zapper should do it for you.
If the apps are still installed though, App Zapper should do it for you.
robbieduncan
Moderator emeritus
Well written applications store preferences in ~/Library/Preferences/ and additional support files in ~/Library/Application Support/<name of app>/
The preferences file will be a reverse dns named file like com.apple.iTunes.plist...
The preferences file will be a reverse dns named file like com.apple.iTunes.plist...
robbieduncan
Moderator emeritus
Generally speaking the files are causing no real harm. I suppose if an app lists the preferences folder internally for some reason (I can think of no reason to and the standard APIs for accessing the preferences would not do this) then the extra files would have some impact, but realistically you're not going to notice any improvements by chasing all these files down.
I always migrate my entire preferences folder when I reinstall the OS or get a new machine. I have preferences files for apps I've not used for a number of years and everything is fine 🙂
If it makes you feel better then there is no harm though 😀