The High Sierra installer suddenly appeared in the Applications folder, and was NOT directly requested through the App Store (that Mac user account does not have local access to the App Store app). The High Sierra installer downloaded because it was allowed by the settings in the App Store pref pane.
MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.6.8) Posted on Feb 6, 2012 7:05 PM Reply I have this question too ( 448 ) I have this question too Me too (448) Me too.
Macs also have no way to uninstall or install operating system features, so there’s no way to easily remove the many applications Apple included with your Mac. On OS X 10.10 Yosemite and earlier, it was possible to open a terminal window and issue commands to delete these system apps, which are located in the /Applications folder.
We live in the golden age of apps. We are being spammed by the apps forcing us to update, install the latest extension, read some marketing fluff that’s pouring on us from every pop up window. Your best defence is to teach yourself about deleting software properly. And simply dragging apps to the Trash is no way a secure deletion.
Why? Because it leaves behind app parts and pieces. And leaving software only half uninstalled will fill up gigabytes of space on your Mac’s hard drive with useless clutter. And sure you could find a better use for that space. That’s why, until Apple decides to make the right choice and develop a better way to completely uninstall apps on Mac, we’ve prepared some efficient tips and tricks to help you uninstall apps manually and keep the performance of your Mac at its peak, day in and day out.
A complete guide to uninstall software on Mac
In this guide, we’re going to show you how to completely remove apps from your Mac in order to free up space and have your Mac running at full power.
We’ve prepared two ways for deleting apps on Mac. We'll start off by explaining manual ways of deleting apps on Mac.
Did you know: Some apps are hard to delete manually as they consist of many unseen parts. In this case, you'll need a special 'app destroyer.' The most popular one is CleanMyMac X by MacPaw.
Whichever method you choose, it will help you to correctly remove apps on Mac. You will then have a clean Mac and a lot more free space to store your digital possessions. Xcode download mac el capitan.
What’s more, we’ve also added 2 bonus tips for uninstalling Java and deleting apps via the Terminal:
Bonus 1: Uninstall Java on Mac
Bonus 2: Uninstall apps using Terminal
Sounds good? Now, let’s take out the trash!
How to Remove Programs on Mac manually
It’s time for the big reveal. We’re going to show you where to find all the associated app files that remain trapped on your Mac even after you’ve sent an app to the Trash.
But before we proceed, take caution. If you’ve chosen the manual method to remove programs on Mac we admire your determination, but we must also warn you to keep a careful eye on what you’re deleting. You don’t want to end up removing essential files. So, carefully check all the filenames before you begin to uninstall software on Mac and make sure they belong to the app you want to remove.
Sending apps to the Trash
Open your Applications (from the sidebar in Finder).
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Sometimes, for the mysterious reasons, your Mac would refuse to delete some files. If this happens, reboot your system and try again, after you’ve pressed Command-Option-Esc and made sure the app is not listed as running. If it is, force quit and try again.
The hard truth about leftovers
There’s also the risk of having some app files slip through the cracks of the manual method, if you’re not thorough enough. To illustrate, we've deleted the XCode software by dragging it to the Trash. It ended up leaving 1.9 GB worth of remaining files. It may depend on an app, though.
We'll explain how to eliminate them in a second. But, again, if you'd like to automatically delete these minor app parts, skip to the automatic solution with CleanMyMac X.
Dealing with the remaining parts
Now, let’s gather all strength and begin our manual hunt for app leftovers! To make sure you don’t miss anything and you remove software from your Mac correctly, follow these steps:
Step 1 – write down the name of the apps that you have sent to the Trash and go to the next step to start finding apps leftovers and associated files.
Step 2 – go to the following locations and if you find a folder associated with any app name you have written down, delete it to completely uninstall the programs.
Open the Finder
Click on Finder > Go> Go to Folder.
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So, to fully remove an app and its leftovers from your Mac you need to check these locations in the Finder.
That was obviously a cumbersome way to delete things. In the next chapter we'll show the much easier method.
Don’t forget to empty the Trash
Once your apps are moved to the Trash bin you need to empty it. Open the Trash bin and click the Empty button to erase its contents.
How to delete Mac apps automatically
There is a whole category of app uninstallers for Mac that takes advantage of macOS' inability to remove apps completely. Among the trusted tools, you may check CleanMyMac X by MacPaw. It's notarized by Apple and is the most user-friendly compared to analogous apps. You may download the free edition of CleanMyMac X here. This app will detect the unseen apps and you can delete many apps at once by simply checking them in the list. The free version that allows you to clean a big portion of junk. This means you can delete a couple of un-deletable apps at no cost.
If you like it, you’ll be able to upgrade to the paid version and give your Mac a full clean out. You’ll also be able to uninstall apps on Mac correctly at any given time, without limits.
To remove apps from Mac the easy way with CleanMyMac X follow these steps:
Launch CleanMyMac and go to the Uninstaller tab
Click View All Applications
Select any app you want to remove completely
Click Uninstall to remove 100% of the app from your Mac
As you can see from the screenshot, there is an option to filter out the AppStore apps, the Unused apps, 32-bit ones and more.
Download Free Version
Uninstall applications using Launchpad
You can use Launchpad to get rid of your apps and widgets.
Open Launchpad in the Dock
Hold down the Command key and click on any app
Wait until the apps start shaking
Now you can click the hovering [X] icon to delete the app.
How to completely uninstall Java from your Mac
Java plugin is known to have conflict issues with many apps. https://farmbrown224.weebly.com/blog/log-in-to-spotify-via-browser-for-app. Re-installing it helps to get some Mac’s services back to working. But completely removing Java might seem a bit harder than uninstalling normal apps. However, it’s not rocket science. With a few clicks and double-clicks, you’ll be ready to enjoy more space and more speed from your Mac, free from the clutter. Space you can, of course, use to install another Java version if you please.
So here’s how to completely delete Java. Remove one directory and one file (a symlink), as follows:
Click on the Finder icon located in your dock
Click on the Utilities folder
Double-click on the Terminal icon
In the Terminal window Copy and Paste the commands below:
We've shown you how to remove Java plugin using Terminal. But as one might guess, it works for any other app. This procedure requires 2 commands: 1) Finding the app's location (using the mdfind command) 2) Removing that folder using sudo rm -rf. The latter command may cause damage, so don't use it if you're not sure what you doing).
Okay. Open your Terminal app (you can type its name into the Launchpad)
1. First, we'll find the app's location
Now, paste this command into the Terminal window:
mdfind -name <The name of your app>
For example, the app I'm trying to delete is named 'NVU'
Press enter and the Terminal will show you where the app is located on your Mac.
2. Delete that particular path
To remove the app, paste this command into the Terminal window:
Note: sudo rm -rf may break your system if used incorrectly. You may delete your entire user account. If not sure, try other methods described in this article.
Now, enter your password to confirm.
Did it work? Congratulations — you may officially call yourself a geek now.
How to reset apps without deleting them
Yes, you can do that too. Resetting an app is easily the greatest do-it-yourself trick any Mac user can try. What it does is brings the application to its default state, and most importantly, leaves your user data intact. For example, your apps are out of sync with one another so what the reset does is helps restore the initial app settings. It deletes the app cache that causes lots of software glitches. The App Reset feature is found in the Uninstaller tab in CleanMyMac X.
By the way, you can even reset your Mac's default apps, like Safari if they are broken. Here's me resetting my Safari browser:
https://flightever337.weebly.com/blog/mac-app-battery-usage. If your battery seems to be draining faster than usual, a quick click on the battery menu on your Mac’s menu bar will show you a list of the most battery-hungry apps you have running. When you click the menu icon, the message “Collecting Power Usage Information” will appear in the menu, shortly followed by a list of “Apps Using.
To use these feature, which is really a hidden gem, open the Uninstaller tab in CleanMyMac X (download its free edition here)
Find and click on the Uninstaller tab.
Choose any app in the list
Click on the dropdown menu under the Uninstall button. This reveals the Reset option.
Now you know everything needed to delete apps on Mac the correct way, achieve complete uninstallation and remove annoying quirks and strange apps behaviors. Whether you choose the manual method or opt for the clean up app CleanMyMac X, you can be sure your Mac will be free of unnecessary app files that eat up disk space in vain. Staying safe and clean feels great, right?
Reinstall from macOS Recovery
macOS Recovery makes it easy to reinstall the Mac operating system, even if you need to erase your startup disk first. All you need is a connection to the Internet. If a wireless network is available, you can choose it from the Wi-Fi menu , which is also available in macOS Recovery.
1. Start up from macOS Recovery
To start up from macOS Recovery, turn on your Mac and immediately press and hold one of the following sets of keys on your keyboard. Release the keys when you see an Apple logo, spinning globe, or other startup screen.
Command (⌘)-R
Reinstall the latest macOS that was installed on your Mac (recommended).
Option-⌘-R
Upgrade to the latest macOS that is compatible with your Mac.
Shift-Option-⌘-R
Reinstall the macOS that came with your Mac, or the closest version still available.
Uninstall App On Mac Os Sierra 10.12
You might be prompted to enter a password, such as a firmware password or the password of a user who is an administrator of this Mac. Enter the requested password to continue.
When you see the utilities window, you have started up from macOS Recovery.
2. Decide whether to erase (format) your disk
You probably don't need to erase, unless you're selling, trading in, or giving away your Mac, or you have an issue that requires you to erase. If you need to erase before installing macOS, select Disk Utility from the Utilities window, then click Continue. Learn more about when and how to erase.
3. Install macOS
When you're ready to reinstall macOS, choose Reinstall macOS from the Utilities window. Then click Continue and follow the onscreen instructions. You will be asked to choose a disk on which to install.
If the installer asks to unlock your disk, enter the password you use to log in to your Mac.
If the installer doesn't see your disk, or it says that it can't install on your computer or volume, you might need to erase your disk first.
If the installer is for a different version of macOS than you expected, learn about macOS Recovery exceptions.
If the installer offers you the choice between installing on Macintosh HD or Macintosh HD - Data, choose Macintosh HD.
Please allow installation to complete without putting your Mac to sleep or closing its lid. During installation, your Mac might restart and show a progress bar several times, and the screen might be empty for minutes at a time.
If your Mac restarts to a setup assistant, but you're selling, trading in, or giving away your Mac, press Command-Q to quit the assistant without completing setup. Then click Shut Down. When the new owner starts up the Mac, they can use their own information to complete setup.
If macOS Sierra 10.12.4 or later has never been installed on this Mac, Option-Command-R installs the macOS that came with your Mac, or the closest version still available. And Shift-Option-Command-R isn't available.
If you erased your entire disk instead of just the startup volume on that disk, macOS Recovery might offer only the macOS that came with your Mac, or the closest version still available. You can upgrade to a later version afterward.
If your Mac has the Apple T2 Security Chip and you never installed a macOS update, Option-Command-R installs the latest macOS that was installed on your Mac.
If you just had your Mac logic board replaced during a repair, macOS Recovery might offer only the latest macOS that is compatible with your Mac.
If you can't get macOS Recovery to offer the installer you want, you might be able to use one of the other ways to install macOS.
Other ways to install macOS
You can also install macOS from the App Store or Software Update preferences. If you can't install macOS Catalina, you might be able to install an earlier macOS, such as macOS Mojave, High Sierra, Sierra, El Capitan, or Yosemite.
Or create a bootable installer disk, then use that disk to install macOS on your Mac or another Mac.