Unable to delete some apps

Discussion in 'Mac Apps and Mac App Store' started by philr5150, Aug 25, 2012.

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  1. philr5150, Aug 25, 2012

    philr5150 macrumors regular

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    #1
    Hi... been doing some cleanup, removing old/unwanted apps (right-click, move to Trash). 3 apps say I don't have permission to delete them, 2 installed via AppStore, one installed "old school way". How can I delete these?

    Thanks!
    (BTW they're in /Applications, but so were the ones I was able to delete.)
     
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  2. GGJstudios, Aug 25, 2012

    GGJstudios macrumors Westmere

    GGJstudios

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    #2
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  3. mohsy90, Aug 25, 2012

    mohsy90 macrumors 65816

    mohsy90

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    #3
    Try AppCleaner, its always worked for me.

    Probably the easiest and fastest way to remove apps but have read it does leave behind some text files, but in the end it removes the app....to an extent.
     
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  4. GGJstudios, Aug 25, 2012

    GGJstudios macrumors Westmere

    GGJstudios

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    #4
    In most cases, app removal software such as AppCleaner doesn't do 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.
     
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  5. killerrobot, Aug 25, 2012

    killerrobot macrumors 68020

    killerrobot

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    #5
    What OS are you using? I've had problems with Lion not always playing nice. A fixing permissions and a restart usually solved the problem.
    Are you using a standard account or admin account? Again, in Lion I've found that if using a standard account it can cause problems. It's best to just use the admin to install/uninstall.
     
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  6. philr5150, Aug 25, 2012

    philr5150 thread starter macrumors regular

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    #6
    It's ML 10.8.1.

    @GG - I can't drag to trash, that's the point. That's how I usually delete them but these 3 apps just give me permission errors.

    I'm logged in as a "regular" user, I'm not being prompted for Admin creds or anything. I didn't want to login as Admin - this ain't Windows :)

    Thanks for the advice everyone!
     
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  7. simsaladimbamba, Aug 25, 2012

    simsaladimbamba Guest

    simsaladimbamba

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    #7
    Does that mean, you are not logged in as admin user? If so, then log in as admin user.


    I don't really understand this, it seems like a contradictio in adjecto, since there is no harm in running as admin in Mac OS X, unless you are willing to enter your admin password for every prompt and do not care, why this prompt appeared. I have been running as admin in Mac OS X since 2004 and never have installed any malware, if that is your fear.
    There is really no need to run as STANDARD user in Mac OS X if you are the owner of the Mac.
     
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  8. GGJstudios, Aug 25, 2012

    GGJstudios macrumors Westmere

    GGJstudios

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    #8
    You're right, this ain't Windows. There is no disadvantage to running an admin user account on Mac OS X.

    For the apps you can't drag to the trash, did you follow the link I posted on how to fully delete apps, including step #1? Then, log in as the admin user and delete them.
     
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  9. philr5150, Aug 26, 2012

    philr5150 thread starter macrumors regular

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    #9
    Sorry, yesterday had been a long day. I was meaning I wasn't entering the Admin password (same as a sudo in a Terminal). Thinking Linux. As I said, long day.

    I did a repair permissions, no difference.

    I'm going to look at the links posted and see what I can make happen. This isn't a major issue, I just want to do some cleanup. If I'm not using it, might as well get rid of it.
     
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  10. philr5150, Aug 26, 2012

    philr5150 thread starter macrumors regular

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    #10
    @GGJStudios - nice one. That worked perfectly. Didn't even know you could do that with Finder (still learning the interface).

    Thanks!!!
     
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