Properly Deleting

[DawnFrost]

Hi, I was just wondering how to properly delete stuff such as widget or programs I've downloaded to try and didn't like. I have been just dragging and dropping into the trash, but I fear that I may be leaving other files behind by mistake. Thanks.

 

[Relentlos]

I payed for a little program called app zapper which works well. I drag an app into it, and it will come up with the application, preference files, and anything else related to it. I simply hit the zap button and it's all deleted.

There may be a free program that does similar though, not sure. For widgets I think it's fine to just delete the widget normally.

 

[Caleb531]

The two best free app uninstallers include AppCleaner and TrashMe.

 

[montycat]

The two best free app uninstallers include AppCleaner and TrashMe.

+1 for AppCleaner🙂

 

[saxon48]

AppZapper and AppCleaner are both excellent programs that essentially do the same thing. Price is the only deciding factor (free for AC, pay for AZ).

 

[hawkeye9935]

I'm a big fan of AppDelete

 

[GGJstudios]

AppCleaner, AppZapper and AppDelete mostly only delete .plist files along with the app, which are small text files. They leave behind much larger files. None of those three are very effective.

From Best way to FULLY DELETE a program?

I just tested a few of these, using Skype.app as the file to be deleted.

AppZapper found 4 items
AppCleaner found 6 items
AppDelete found 9 items
EasyFind found 16 items
Finder found 17 items

CleanMyMac cleaned too much