Unable to delete some apps

[philr5150]

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.)

 

[GGJstudios]

The most effective method for complete app removal is manual deletion:

Best way to FULLY DELETE a program​

For problems deleting items or emptying the trash, you may find some useful ideas here:

You can't empty the Trash or move a file to the Trash
Solving Trash Problems
Can't move files to trash
Can't Empty Trash on a Mac​

 

[mohsy90]

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.

 

[GGJstudios]

Try AppCleaner, its always worked for me.

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.

 

[killerrobot]

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.

 

[philr5150]

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!

 

[simsaladimbamba]

I'm logged in as a "regular" user, I'm not being prompted for Admin creds or anything.

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

I didn't want to login as Admin - this ain't Windows

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.

 

[GGJstudios]

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

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.

 

[philr5150]

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.

 

[philr5150]

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

Thanks!!!