We should just drag an undesired file or app to the Bin, according to logic to delete it. Unfortunately, this is not the case with macOS. Dragging typical files to the trash, such as documents and videos, works properly. When it comes to apps, though, doing the same results in a slew of residual garbage files on your hard disc.
- An app can be found in several locations.
- Small “satellite” applications are available for many apps.
- Some applications are located in strange places.
Steam games, for example, are stored in a separate folder, which makes uninstalling them a little more difficult. We’ll show you what gets left behind and how to thoroughly delete programs from this point forward.
If you’re attempting to get rid of outdated software or just clear up disc space on your Mac, make sure you remove all of the program’s components. The app, its preferences, and support files, as well as other hidden files, are among them.
On a Mac, you have three ways for thoroughly uninstalling a program:
- Using Trash.
- Using Launchpad.
- Using a native uninstaller.
Navigating your Mac in search of the programs you wish to eliminate and then identifying their residual data are some of the methods listed above. The latter can take up even more space than the software itself and be put in any folder.
1. Uninstall Mac apps using Trash
The method of manually deleting programs is the same whether you’re using macOS Monterey or an older version of macOS, like Catalina or Mojave. This is what you must do:
- Launch Finder, for this just press Option+Command+Space. This opens the “Searching This Mac” window.
- Go to the Applications section.
- Select the app you wish to get rid of.
- Press Command + Delete (⌘⌫).
- Open Trash.
- In the upper-right corner of the window, click the Empty button.
And then the app vanished.
Despite being the most recent and advanced Mac operating system, uninstalling programs on macOS Monterey still necessitates removing leftovers. Although Apple has done an excellent job with newer macOS versions, de-installation remains a problem.
To entirely delete apps from your Mac manually, you must first locate all of the app’s related files. That entails examining the depths of your Mac’s system files, not merely dropping the program icon to the Trash from your Applications folder.
Here’s an example of an app that stores the cache in many locations on your Mac:
We’re going to show you where the most frequent files linked with programs are stored. To get rid of app leftovers on your Mac, go to each of these folders and look for the app you want to get rid of. You can send files with the app name to the Trash if you find them.
As a result, when removing any program, you must go through each of these directories individually and remove the following:
- Binary and dock icons are located in /Applications/
- Application support files are located in /Library/Application Support
- Support Caches can be found in /Library/Caches/ and /Library/Caches
- Plugins are located in /Library/Internet Plug-Ins/
- Library can be found in /Library/
- App preferences are located in /Library/Preferences/
- Crashes are found in /Library/Application Support/CrashReporter/
- App saved states are located in /Library/Saved Application State/
As you can see, even when you know what you’re doing, uninstalling software Mac doesn’t require isn’t straightforward. By the way, make a point of looking for the app’s name in the file names of the files you delete. Remove nothing you’re not sure about! Before eliminating something from your system, be sure you’ve done your homework.
When manually deleting software on a Mac, make sure you remove an app file or folder only when you’re certain you know what it is. Before you destroy it, take a close look at the name. It’s possible that removing the incorrect files can cause difficulties with your system.
Please be cautious when removing system files; you never know what may happen to your Mac if you delete the incorrect ones (or the correct ones!).
2. Uninstall Mac programs with Launchpad
How can I use the Launchpad to uninstall on a Mac? It’s simple, and the manual way works as follows:
- In your Mac’s Dock, click the Launchpad icon.
- Find the app you want to delete.
- Click and hold the app until it starts shaking.
- In the top-left corner of the app icon, click the X.
- Click Delete.
The program will be removed from your Mac as a result of this action. Keep in mind, though, that after you’ve removed the software, you need also erase any leftovers. To get rid of app leftovers on your Mac, go to each of these folders and look for the app you want to get rid of. You can send files with the app name to the Trash if you find them.
As a result, when removing any program, you must go through each of these directories individually as indicated above.
3. Use the native uninstaller
Many programs are built with the intention of self-cleaning. They have a built-in uninstaller, which is a self-destructive program that comes with the primary software. This is especially true with third-party programs downloaded from the internet. That’s why native uninstallers are more of a Windows thing than a Mac one.
You’ll find the original uninstallers in the Applications folder. To launch the Application folder follow the steps below:-
- Launch Finder, for this just press Option+Command+Space. This opens the “Searching This Mac” window.
- Go to the Applications section.
If your software seems to be a folder (inside the Applications folder), it almost certainly has its own uninstaller. [Your app] Uninstaller or Uninstall [Your App] will be the name.
Simply open the folder, locate the launcher, and follow the onscreen prompts. You may now enjoy your increased storage space when the removal is completed!
Technology nowadays requires virtually as much upkeep as a house, thanks to frequent backups and continual upgrades. If you see the dreaded “Startup disc is almost full” notice every time you turn on your Mac or an excessive amount of update alerts for programs you don’t even use, it’s definitely time for a clean.
There are a variety of items that might be clogging up your Mac’s storage and making it operate slowly, but before you throw away your priceless images, music, and movies, consider deleting those programs you know you’ll never use again.
These apps might be running in the background or automatically upgrading without you even recognizing it, whether it’s the Adobe trial you didn’t buy or the software you got for that one work-from-home day last year.
Even if they’re not bothering you, those regular update alerts are inconvenient. Uninstalling these programs is as nice as dusting your bookshelves, and it’s usually just as simple.
Deleting a program (which is the same as uninstalling it) will free up the majority of the space it takes up on your computer. Keep in mind, however, that some apps, such as Microsoft Office and Adobe products, may continue to save enormous quantities of data on your Mac even after you uninstall them.