Problem with applications folder

[pepbcn28]

Hi,
I have a Mac with two users, and when an application update was available I was asked twice (one per user) to update. I thought the folder was the same for both user and didn't understand why, but today I realize this is not the case.
Right now the folder structure is:
Applications
Library
Users
System: inside system Applications, Library, Developer, DriverKit, IOSSuport, Volumes

So I understand now I have two Applicactions folders... how can I merge both? Which one would be the "default" one usually? And if I delete one of the applications folder, should I change any configuration in the user is using that folder?

Thanks!

 

[Nermal]

It's normal to have two Applications folders.

/System/Applications contains the apps that are part of the OS.
/Applications contains apps you have installed yourself.

In Finder, when you view /Applications it will also show you the contents of /System/Applications in a combined view. If you use Terminal then you'll only see the files you've added yourself.

There can also be a separate Applications folder inside your user folder (i.e. /Users/yourname/Applications). I'm not sure whether Finder merges that into the main Applications folder or not. If you had to update the same app for multiple users then perhaps it's in there.

 

[gilby101]

There can also be a separate Applications folder inside your user folder (i.e. /Users/yourname/Applications). I'm not sure whether Finder merges that into the main Applications folder or not.

It doesn't merge /Users/yourname/Applications.

 

[gilby101]

And if I delete one of the applications folder, should I change any configuration in the user is using that folder?

DO NOT attempt to delete either /Applications or /Sytem/Applications. Hopefully macOS would prevent you.

I have a Mac with two users, and when an application update was available I was asked twice (one per user) to update.

Was this an application from the App Store? If so, do the two users have their own Apple IDs which they use for application payment, install and update?

 

[pepbcn28]

DO NOT attempt to delete either /Applications or /Sytem/Applications. Hopefully macOS would prevent you.

Was this an application from the App Store? If so, do the two users have their own Apple IDs which they use for application payment, install and update?

Both users use the same account for buying apps.

User 1 uses HDD/system/Applications as the main folder, the applications folder inside the user exists but it's empty
User 2 uses HDD/Applications as the main folder (I dont' know why), the applications folder inside the user exists but it's empty

So I think I have a redundant Applications folder, the one insider the system folder or the other one? Is it safe to remove one of the folders with the apps (they are duplicated)?

 

[gilby101]

So I think I have a redundant Applications folder

I can only repeat: don't mess with it.

But with recent macOS, it is not possible to write in /System/Applications. What is your version of macOS?

 

[pepbcn28]

Monterey

 

[NoBoMac]

Will echo @gilby101: do not touch /System/Applications, it's part of the sealed system volume and contains the standard Apple apps.

What I think is going on is that both accounts have their own app update lists, "~/Library/Application Support/App Store/updatejournal.plist". These files track installed programs and versions from the Mac App Store. When App Store program runs for that user to check what needs updates, it compares the values in that user's file vs what's online. Difference, get the "updates available" notice.

What might work is to make one account the "main" account for updates: go to the other account and disable in System Preferences software updates. Should stop any checks and stop getting notifications.