by Removing programs from a Macintosh can be very easy. In many cases, all you have to do is drag the application icon to the Trash. Learning how to uninstall apps on mac computers are really that easy.
Sometimes, however, applications store the files they need to run elsewhere on your computer’s hard drive, which can take some detective work to find. If you’re a Windows user who usually uses the uninstall option, you might have a bit of a culture shock; macOS does not have this feature built-in.
Why Delete Apps on Your Mac?
Applications take up space on your hard disk and can slow down your computer. Also, a new version of a program may not work properly if you don’t get rid of the old one.
It’s much the same reason you tidy up your office or clean out your garage from time to time: Clutter creates inefficiency.
How to uninstall Mac Apps
Most of the time, uninstalling programs is easy.
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The exit the program you want to delete.
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Open the Applications folder (the letter A is the app icon), which you can find by opening a new window in Finder (icon with a blue face) or clicking on the hard disk icon.
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Draw icon of the program you want to uninstall towards the Trash icon.
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Empty Trash.
When files for the application you want to delete are in one place, dragging the icon to the Trash will distract most of the work.
In Mac talk, apps like this are “bundled.” To see the files in an application bundle, click its icon while holding down the Control key. You should see an option that says: “Show package contents.”
Uninstalling apps downloaded from the Mac App Store is even easier! Simply delete the application from the Application Folder and its accompanying folder in User\Library\Containers [source: Tanous].
More Detailed Instructions
For some other programs, it is more complicated to remove apps. Once installed, these programs create files in several locations, often in the System Folder.
The first step to removing them is to check the program’s documentation to see if there is an uninstall utility. If your program has an associated uninstall utility, it may be installed with the program or included on the disc that came with it.
If you downloaded a disk image to install apps, sometimes you’ll find an uninstaller there. It can be much easier to remove a program by running an uninstall utility.
Orphan files
You should be aware that orphan files on your computer can be left behind by removing an unbundled program by moving it to the Trash. Priority files are usually small, and you may want to ignore them if you’re trying to free up disk space. Background files or application support files can be larger, especially for multimedia programs like GarageBand [source: MacRumors].
These files probably reside in the Library folders on your hard drive or in the Home folder. They will usually contain the name of the program, such as Office or Acrobat, or the name of the developer, such as Microsoft or Adobe. You can search for the relevant names with Spotlight.
Drag the files you find to the trash to get rid of them.
Tips for Deleting Apps on Mac
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If you’ve been searching through obscure corners of your computer for what could be hundreds of files sounds like something a machine could do better than you, you’re right. There are plenty of software programs that do just that.
These are usually your best bet for cleaning apps from your Mac, and some are free. Popular examples include AppTrap, Appcleaner and AppZapper.
Leave Individual Files Invisible
Some of the files that a program may create on your hard disk are invisible. It may be tempting, especially for neat freaks, to find and delete these files. But some files are intentionally hidden because they are essential for the computer’s operating system.
If you delete the wrong file, you could be in big trouble [source: Landau]. The best advice is not to go where even the most experienced technicians are afraid to go. Uninstall utilities can search for and delete these files, but doing that yourself is asking for trouble.
Empty the Trash
Another important thing to do is empty your Trash when you finish uninstalling. Moving the program icon to the Trash will not remove the files from your hard drive or clear up any space. The application is only really gone when you empty the Trash.
7 Other Pieces of Advice
Here are some other important tips.
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When you install a program, check to see how to uninstall it. Make a note if it has its own utility or uninstall instructions.
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Before starting any uninstallation process, make sure your Trash is empty or there is nothing you might want to save.
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Log in as an administrator of your computer whenever you uninstall. If you are uninstalling at work and do not have administrator privileges, you will need to consult your IT department.
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If you choose a third-party uninstall utility, look at the features. Some developers charge for their software, but you may not need the bells and whistles. Free utilities may work fine.
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It often makes sense to leave preference files alone. If you ever reinstall the same software, you will not need to set the preferences.
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Software installations from a developer, such as the Office suite from Microsoft, often share files. Removing the files from one component may affect the other files, so be careful with these [source: The X Lab].
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If, after uninstalling a program, the icon is still in your dock, you can get rid of it by dragging it from the dock and letting it go [source: Tech-FAQ].
Removing software from your Mac is a lot less trouble than cleaning out your office or garage. But clearing computer clutter and freeing up space on your hard drive can be just as rewarding.
Original article: How to Uninstall Apps on Mac Computers
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