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Ronanmd · May 10, 2004, 04:34 PM

This may be a very basic question but I am new to the mac world. How do I delete a program off my computer and ensure that it removes all the files? I am used to selecting remove program on windows but I cannot find this option on the PB. Thanks

Jason

CharlesS · May 10, 2004, 04:42 PM

For the vast majority of applications, all you need to do is drag the app to the Trash and empty it. Welcome to the Mac.

The only time you might need an uninstaller is if the program used an installer to install in the first place. If this is the case, the installer will usually have an uninstall option in it.

The Placid Casual · May 10, 2004, 06:27 PM

Yep, usually it is a drag and drop procedure... makes me happy that I don't have to go through the uninstall hell that is XP.

Ryan Becker · May 10, 2004, 06:42 PM

And, if you want to be extra picky about it, do a "find" thru your HD for the app's name. This will often come up with any other files installed.

And, almost all programs will install a, very small, preference file (.plist) here:

Home > Library > Preferences

And, you may check to see if it's installed anything in these folders:

Home > Library > ApplicationSupport

Home > Library > Documentation

-Ryan

SupahCoolX · May 10, 2004, 06:58 PM

Just a note: If you keep the Preference and Library files, if you re-install the application it will have all the same settings and such just the way it was the first time.

Ronanmd · May 10, 2004, 08:13 PM

Thanks for your help guys. This forum is great for us noobs.

Jason

ginoledesma · May 10, 2004, 09:46 PM

If you really need an "uninstaller," Aladdin's SpringCleaning should do the job.

But like the others, simply dragging the application to the trash is more than enough. There are exceptions to this rule, however, especially for applications that tweak the system directly. Examples include SideTrack, which installs a kernel extension and startup item, among others, Macaroni, which modifies the system job scheduler, and BandwidthOptmizer, which modifies kernel-level values. For these types of apps, you either have to use the original installer to remove them (or a bundled uninstaller), or manually remove them yourself.