Comments on: Beginning Mac: Application Install/Uninstall

By: bridget

bridget — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 02:03:11 +0000

how do you uninstall a program that wont close EVER. no matter what, the mac wont let you delete it unless it closes

By: yergu

yergu — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 10:58:48 +0000

I couldn’t identify what kind of software installed on power Mac A1047 PC

By: Things for Newbie Mac Users to do… | Unseen Geek

Things for Newbie Mac Users to do… | Unseen Geek — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 03:25:33 +0000

[...] Learn how to install applications on the Mac (it is different than Windows). Sometimes it is so simple though that the novice user can make it MUCH more complicated by not understanding what is going on. [...]

By: Louis Metevia

Louis Metevia — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 20:45:20 +0000

Thanks for this timely article. I was just reading an editorial on the subject in a mac mag, but didn’t realize the problem. I do now! I’m a Mac newcomer, use to windows installations. I tried loading and installing a copy of Apple Final cut express on my iMac but ran into all kinds of minor problems–compression,downloading suggested compressors, drag and drop problems,shift and option problems, u-name-it. After working several days on the problem, I made the mistake of shutting down and apparently lost all the windows. Now I’m searching for the files in Finder, the Trash, Apps, or wherever they may be. Any suggestions on how to find them?

By: Install Software

Install Software — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 04:20:45 +0000

Hi there.
Great installation help…thanks, fixed my problem.
Anyone reading this guys stuff should bookmark it.

By: Rob

Rob — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 07:43:46 +0000

I’ve installed perian and amule and can’t find them they don’t show up in the applications folder. perian is supposed to be codecs for quicktime but quicktime still doesn’t play anything. so far all my macbook is good for is surfing the web. very dissapointed, the commercials make it sound like switching is less confusing than it is.

By: Rachel

Rachel — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 02:07:02 +0000

Might be a dumb question, but can I effectively uninstall iwork and microsoft office suite from my imac and install it on my macbook? or do I lose that ability once I’ve installed it once? (key entering-wise) Thanks.

By: my_games2000

my_games2000 — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 19:18:07 +0000

I have been a Mac user since I was a kid, the first thing my dad made me do was “READ THE MANUAL, FRONT TO BACK…” in doing so i found there is a way. Not only should you drag the unwanted App to the trash, but also trash the Apps Preference files… i think that’s it. Don’t ya just love my Mac…

By: macnewbie

macnewbie — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 00:06:53 +0000

Thank you! I’m very glad I stumbled across this page. As a new mac owner I didn’t realize what I’d been doing and finally figured out that whatever I WAS doing was wrong! Now I don’t feel so stupid — I knew mac was a whole ‘nother world from a PC but there are things they don’t tell you about when you enter it! I’m now in the process of trying to delete duplicate and unnecessary files. I tried Yank earlier today and it was too complicated for a newbie like me — downloaded AppCleaner and so far so good! Thanks again!

By: Henk Duivendrecht

Henk Duivendrecht — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 07:34:51 +0000

I’ve used my mac for over 2 years, uninstalling most apps by just dragging them to the trash. Now when I look in my preferences and application support folders, they’re full of dozens and dozens of folders and files that I don’t need. So don’t start about windows spraying your entire HD with useless files, Mac OS X is guilty of the same thing!
Also I think installing is a bit weird, first you unzip a DMB, then you open a file that behaves like an external drive (why?) and then you have to drag a file! Can’t this be automated? Click to install. Finish.

By: Yes I am an Idiot *today" - Mac-Forums.com

Yes I am an Idiot *today" - Mac-Forums.com — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 17:09:33 +0000

[...] As for installing/uninstalling applications I just found this guide from another switcher which should explain things a little clearer Beginning Mac: Application Install/Uninstall [...]

By: Michael

Michael — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 22:50:32 +0000

Ok… After reading all of the comments, I have to laugh! The “installing” and “uninstalling” (for the most part) REALLY is that simple!!! Thats why they call it a mac! My sister just switched over and she kept wanting to do all this complicated stuff.. like run an installer and where do i find the preferences… I kept telling her, dont make this complicated! take the program, drop it in the applications folder, and delete the original! ITS THAT SIMPLE PEOPLE!!! PCs make it complicated! YES you have the odd programs like Office and Adobe that are a bit different but they walk you through the process… The real issue here is not that its complicated to install/uninstall.. the issue is more about how simplistic the mac interface REALLY is! We are all so use to PCs its hard to step back and say, “hmmm, whats the obvious answer here?” because from my years with the macs, thats usually the correct answer! JOSH… nice article, does a good job detailing “how to” for the majority of the mac applications! Everyone else just needs to forget everything they ever knew about computers from PCs… Because the mac is different, so simple its almost stupid!!!

By: FirstTimer

FirstTimer — Wed, 06 May 2009 15:07:21 +0000

As a first timer user (approx. 1 month) I have found this article useful. Seeing the other comments however, I would like to know if there are other resources that explain this topic more in depth.

By: Taleiyah Taripo

Taleiyah Taripo — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 04:53:16 +0000

Now that ive “uninstalled my soft-ware of my home computer ie iMac OS X LEPOARD, by the way the software was CS 3, im now ready to “re-install”. Lol… Can someone just tell me an easy step please, by keeping it real simple….ie to re-install my CS 3 software bak into my OS X Leopard, so i can get started on my school projects. Cheers.

By: lazymacdevelopers

lazymacdevelopers — Thu, 01 May 2008 00:58:17 +0000

To be honest, I think this is pure lazyness on Mac developers parts. AppZapper can’t find everything an app uses, but developers do, however, know what they are creating and where on the system.

Under “File” or “Help” menus there should be an “Uninstall AppName” item that gives an “Are you sure?” dialog, and if a “Yes” is given, the application should quit itself and launch an installer.

I don’t think it’s purist to say that when I want to kick an app of my system, I want it to carry its baggage off with it, too.

Please Mac Developers, make an “Uninstall” script for your apps. It’s only decent to clean up after yourselves.

By: Sky

Sky — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 00:44:24 +0000

Bundles are great for managing a core installation. I have a little trouble with the extra prefs that get installed elsewhere and prefer to remove these manually rather than using utilities like App Zapper.

AZ can ferret out the pref files but often ignores parent directories that may contain other files AZ has missed.

I usually Spotlight the name of the application and the developer to make sure I’ve removed all traces of an unwanted installlation – knowing that like an old set of keys if you don’t toss them right away they can end up a permanent part of the collection.