Step 1: Use Control Panel to Uninstall a Program. Type control panel in the search box of Windows 10 and then click this app from the search result. Go to Programs (viewed by category) Programs and Features. Right-click on the program you want to remove and click Uninstall or Uninstall/Change. Step 2: Delete the Remaining Files and Folders. If you can't find a floating 'X' above the program you want to remove, you won't be able to uninstall the program through Launchpad. Launchpad only allows you to uninstall certain apps from the computer. However, there are also other reasons why you might not have a floating 'X.' Read on for another quiz question. Uninstall Mac apps and delete left behind files If the idea of deleting apps and digging into secret libraries on your Mac to remove associated files is daunting, we have a better solution. CleanMyMacX is a best Mac utility that helps manage your apps and files, in addition to a ton of other features. From our previous article, you can learn three possible ways to completely uninstall apps from a Mac. Or just read on to learn the easiest way to remove an app from the Launchpad and from Mac in general. How to remove apps from Launchpad on a Mac. Use the special tool, App Cleaner & Uninstaller, to delete apps from the Launchpad correctly. How to uninstall apps on Mac. On your Mac, click the Finder icon in the Dock, and then click Applications in the Finder sidebar. If the app is in a folder, open the app’s folder to look for an.
Apple unveils a new MacBook Air during an Apple launch event at the Brooklyn Academy of Music on Oct. 30, 2018 in New York City. Stephanie Keith/Getty Images
Removing programs from a Macintosh can be very easy. In many cases, all you have to do is drag the application's icon to the Trash. Sometimes, though, applications store the files they need to run in other locations on your computer's hard drive, and finding them can take some detective work. If you are used to the uninstall option in Windows, you have a little culture shock — macOS does not have this feature built in.
Why would you want to uninstall a program? For the same reason you occasionally tidy your office or clean your garage. Clutter breeds inefficiency. Applications take up space on your hard disk and can slow your computer. Also, a new version of a program may not work correctly unless you get rid of the old one [source: Ritchie].
![]()
Advertisement
Advertisement
Most of the time, uninstalling is this simple:
When files for the application you want to delete are all stored in one location, dragging the icon to the Trash will take care of most of the work. In Mac talk, apps like this are 'bundled.' To see the files in an application's bundle, click on its icon while holding down the Control key. You should see an option that says, 'show package contents.' Uninstalling applications downloaded from the Mac App Store is even easier — just delete the application from the Applications Folder and its accompanying folder in UserLibraryContainers [source: Tanous].
For some other programs, removal is more complicated. When installed, these programs create files in several locations, often in the System Folder. The first step in removing them is to check the program's documentation to see if there is an uninstall utility. If your program has an uninstall utility associated with it, it may have been installed with the program or included on the disk that came with it. If you downloaded a disk image to install the software, sometimes you'll find an uninstaller there. Running an uninstall utility can make removing a program much easier.
How To Completely Uninstall Apps On Mac
You should be aware that removing an unbundled program by moving it into the Trash can leave behind orphan files on your computer. Preferencefiles are usually small and you might want to ignore them if you're just trying to free up disk space. Background files or support files can be larger, especially for multimedia programs like GarageBand [source: MacRumors]. These files are likely to reside in Library folders in your hard drive or Home folder. They will usually be labeled with the name of the program, like Office or Acrobat, or the developer, such as Microsoft or Adobe. You can search for the relevant names using Spotlight, which is included with the Mac OS. Drag the files you find to the trash to get rid of them [source: Tanous]. .
Check out the next page for tips to make your uninstallation go even more smoothly.
Advertisement
If 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. They're usually your best bet for really cleaning an app off your Mac, and some of them are free. Popular examples include AppTrap, Appcleaner, and AppZapper.
Some of the files that a program might 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 deliberately hidden because they are essential to the computer's operating system. Deleting the wrong file could land you in deep trouble [source: Landau]. The best advice is not to go where even experienced techies fear to tread. Uninstall utilities can search out and destroy these files, but doing so on your own invites trouble.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Another important thing to do is empty your Trash when you're finished uninstalling. Moving a program's icon to the Trash doesn't actually remove the files from your hard disk or clear up any space. Only when you empty the Trash is the application really gone.
Here are some other important tips: Mac photos not showing thumbnails.
Removing software from your Mac is a lot less of a hassle than cleaning your office or garage. But clearing away computer clutter and making space on your hard disk can be just as satisfying.
How To Uninstall Delete Apps On Macbook
Originally Published: Aug 8, 2011
Mac label printing software. Advertisement
Mac snipping tool app. Related Articles
Sources
Use Launchpad to delete an app
Launchpad offers a convenient way to delete apps that were downloaded from the App Store.
![]() Deleting an app doesn't cancel any subscription you may have purchased with that app. Learn how to cancel subscriptions for apps that were downloaded from the App Store. Use the Finder to delete an appHow To Uninstall Delete Apps On Mac Os
How To Uninstall On MacLearn more
To use an app again after deleting it, either reinstall it or restore it from a backup.
How To Uninstall App On Mac
Learn how to delete apps on your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.
How To Uninstall Apps On Mac That Won't Delete
Learn what to do if the Dock contains an icon with a question mark.
Comments are closed.
|
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |