How to uninstall a program in os x. Uninstalling programs on Mac - step by step instructions and recommendations. How to uninstall built-in Mac OS X programs

Many users, moving from a Windows-based personal computer to a Mac OS operating system, at first cannot figure out how to perform familiar actions in a new environment for them. In particular, among the frequently encountered problems, one can single out difficulties with, opening, etc.

However, the problem of deleting files and folders on Macs turned out to be no less common. The absence of the Delete button on Apple keyboards often confuses the user - how to delete a file on Mac OS using a keyboard shortcut and where this Del button on a Mac is generally located. Not dragging and dropping one file into the trash can is long and inconvenient.

About, how to delete files and folders with keyboard shortcut(including directly, without a basket) as well as how to delete characters after cursor in Mac OS(for which the Delete key in Windows is responsible) you will learn from this instruction.

Most people use the Delete key to do one of three things - delete files and folders in the trash, delete characters after the cursor in text, or open the Task Manager. We are talking about the latter, so today we will talk about the first two.

Removing a keyboard shortcut in Mac OS

The first step is to talk about the keyboard shortcut that is used in Mac OS to delete objects, that is, it is analogous to Delete on a Mac. Apple's operating system uses the keys Command and Backspace(this is actually the delete key, but Windows users know it by this name).

Selecting a file or folder and pressing these two keys will move the selected item to the trash.

By the way, we even have a separate article about if it suddenly clears up very slowly. There you can also find hotkeys for quickly emptying the trash can.

Deleting Files Without Recycle Bin on Mac OS

In the latest version of Mac OS - El Capitan, the user has the ability to delete (possibly works on the previous version of OS X) files with a keyboard shortcut immediately, that is, bypassing the trash can.

Analog Shift + Delete on Mac OS is the following keyboard shortcut.

cmd + option (alt) + delete

As a result, you will see a pop-up message in which you will either have to confirm the deletion or cancel it. Be careful - deleted files will not remain in the Trash and will be deleted permanently.

Deleting characters after the cursor on Mac OS

If for some reason you use this function (we really have no idea where and why it can be used) and you really miss it in OS X, then we have good news. In order to delete text after the cursor in Mac OS, just press the keyboard shortcut fn and delete.

Also, do not forget that even files deleted from the recycle bin can be restored until their disk space is overwritten with new data. If you need to permanently delete files from your Mac, follow the advice from.

Let's consider all the existing ways how you can quickly uninstall a program on Mac OS. The peculiarity of this operating system is that even after deletion, program files remain on the computer. All of the methods described below will completely uninstall the software from your computer.

Mac OS does not have a system registry, accordingly, the functionality of uninstalling the program is completely different from the Windows algorithm. As you know, in Windows, applications are removed using the Control Panel window. In OS X, in order to erase software, simply move it to the Trash. This method is considered standard, but as a result of its execution, temporary program files remain on the system.

Over time, these files clutter up your Mac, so we recommend uninstalling programs using one of the methods described below.

Method 1 - Removing fromLaunchpad

The Launchpad (also called Launchpad) on Mac OS is the same as the desktop on Windows. This window contains shortcuts to all applications that the user himself added there.

With Launchpad, you can very easily uninstall a program you no longer need. Just drag its icon to the Trash. Such an action conditionally deletes the application, and you can return it at any time without losing all the saved game or project data.

If you want to permanently remove the utility, just open the Trash and delete the program file or the contents of the entire Trash at once. This uninstallation method is suitable for common client programs, small games and office applications.

Note that if the program is part of a whole software package or the game is constantly working with the server, creating new files in the OS, it is better to use additional cleaning methodsMac OS.

After emptying the Recycle Bin, you need to make sure that there are no more saved utility settings in the file system. If there are any, it is enough to move them in the same way to the Trash and then empty its contents.

The file manager in OS X is called "Library". It stores files of all installed applications, data on running processes, their settings and current configuration.

To clear any leftover files from the app, go to Finder. The main menu is displayed in the window header. Click on "Go" and then on "Library" as shown in the picture below:

In the window that appears find the folder with the name of the remote application and move it to the Trash, which you then empty.

If you are unable to delete the directory due to the "Please try again" message box constantly appearing, restart your computer and delete the folder again.

Method 2 - UseFinder

Finder Is a system utility for finding files and configuring your OS X that runs continuously. Finder cannot be closed, because he is responsible for displaying the entire computer interface.

Also, with its help you can remove installed programs.

Follow the instructions:

1. On your computer toolbar, find the Finder icon and click on it;

3. Now select the item you want to erase from the computer, and click on it with the right mouse button. In the context menu that appears, click on "Add to cart";

The program is removed the moment its name disappears from the Finder list. Note that no disk space has been freed as the files are still in the Recycle Bin. Go back to your desktop and right-click on the Trash. In the list of options, click on "Clear". Thus, the application will be completely removed from the OS. If the program creates temporary files, you just need to restart your computer to remove them.

Method 3 - Using an uninstaller

If the application was not installed from the official App Store, it is not advisable to uninstall it using the methods described above. After installing such software, a special uninstaller appears in the system - a utility that correctly removes a specific program from your PC.

Follow the instructions to find and run the uninstaller:

  • Go to Finder and open the section "Programs";
  • Click on the name of the software. In the opened list of files related to software, click on the icon that says Uninstall;
  • Run the uninstaller. Follow all the instructions in the window that appears to complete the uninstallation of the software.

Method 4 - Third-party programs to uninstall

In addition to standard uninstallation methods, you can use third-party cleaning programs. Let's consider the most popular ones.

App Cleaner

App Cleaner Is the most popular utility for deleting data from your Mac.

Download software it is possible from the official website of the developer at the link https://freemacsoft.net//appcleaner///.

After installing App Cleaner, open the utility window. Then click on the tab Applications:

Then wait until the utility loads information about all the software that is installed on the system.... Then you will see the window shown in the picture below. Move the icons of the programs you want to uninstall into it.

Since Mac OS X does not have a system registry, the process for uninstalling programs is significantly different from the uninstallation algorithm used in Windows.

Removing programs in Windows occurs in Control panels, while the "apple" system does not have such an opportunity. Programs here are simply sent to the trash, but the problem is that some of the program files are not deleted, and over time they will litter yours, either. There are many options for uninstalling programs, in this article we will offer some of them.

In the simplest way to uninstall programs on Mac OS X, many consider using Launchpad as an option. In this case, remember that this is only possible for programs downloaded from the Mac App Store. Any application can be deleted by dragging it with the cursor into the trash, or by pressing and holding the graphic image of the application to be deleted - application icons begin to vibrate, and the possibility of their deletion will be shown with a cross. You just have to click on the cross - and the application will be safely removed. It is recommended to empty the trash after deletion.


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Sooner or later, a lot of useless programs will accumulate on your laptop, which makes no sense to clog the memory. In this case, it is worth starting to delete them, but this must be done correctly, otherwise, over time, a large number of empty and unused folders will accumulate in the system, which, in turn, will confuse the computer and lead to a decrease in its performance.

There are only two ways you can go to erase a program - use the methods that exist in the Mac OS natively, or install a third-party program that specializes in removing other programs.

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Uninstalling programs on Mac OS differs from uninstalling on Windows, because on computers with an operating system from Microsoft, deleting a shortcut does not delete the program itself, but on a Macbook it is the other way around:

  • Find the icon of the application you want to remove. It might be on your desktop or in a separate folder.
  • Move the app icon to the trash can icon.
  • Confirm the action.
  • Right-click on the trash can icon and select "Empty Trash" to empty the trash. Or use the keyboard shortcut Cmd + Shift + Del.
  • Open the library by expanding the Go section of the laptop menu and selecting Library.
  • Now we delete all folders with the name of the program that you deleted in the name. These folders store the settings that you changed for yourself in the application, or save with your progress, if we are talking about deleting the folder left over from the game.
  • Go to the Library / Preferences / and Library / Application Support folders, repeat the operation with the removal of the folders remaining from the erased program.
  • If you cannot delete a folder (for example, the "Try again" window constantly appears), then restart your computer.

    • Launchpad

    This method is suitable only for programs installed from the official App Sore store:

  • Launch Launchpad from the list of applications in the Quick Access Toolbar.
  • In the menu that opens, find the program you want to uninstall and hold its icon for a while. Or hold down the Option button on your keyboard.
  • A cross will appear in the upper left corner of the program icon. Click on it.
  • Confirm the action.
  • Done, the application has been removed. Now empty your trash.

    • Through uninstallers

    If you installed third-party applications not from the App Store, then in the folder where the product was installed there is a special program - an uninstaller, which will completely erase the application.

  • Open the "Programs" section.
  • Select the app you want to uninstall.
  • Files related to this application will appear in the right column. Run the one that has the word Unistall in its name and confirm the deletion.

    • AppCleaner

    Also, craftsmen have written more than one program for the Mac OS operating system, the general task of which is to remove other programs. One of them is AppCleaner. Its advantages are that it is easy to use and distributed completely free of charge.

  • We go to the official website of the developer (http://freemacsoft.net/appcleaner/) and install the latest version of the program.
  • We open the application.
  • Go to the "Programs" section.
  • We are waiting for AppCleaner to load a list of all applications on the computer.
  • Select the one you want to delete.
  • Click the "Delete" button.
  • We are waiting for the program to independently find all the folders and files related to the application to be removed, and press the "Delete" button.

    • Video tutorial: how to uninstall programs on a MacBook

    How to uninstall built-in programs

    Built-in or standard programs include Safari, FaceTime, iTunes, etc. If you try to uninstall them using the usual methods, you will receive a notification from the system that these applications are required and you cannot delete them. Still, there is a way to get rid of them, but if someday you want to restore them, then problems may arise, so act only if you are absolutely sure that you will never need these applications again.

  • Launch a terminal to enter commands.
  • Write cd / Application and press Enter on the keyboard.
  • Now we enter the command sudo rm -rf and the name of the application that you want to remove, in the format "Title.app /". As a result, you should get a command like sudo rm -rf iTunes.app/.

    • Cleaning the poppy after uninstalling apps

    If you want to be completely sure that there are no unnecessary folders and files left on your computer after removing the next program, then download the CCleaner application. It will scan the entire laptop hard drive and clean it of unnecessary folders and files in just a couple of clicks.

  • Download the application and install it (http://ccleaner.ru.uptodown.com/mac).
  • Run it and click the Analyze button.
  • After the scanning process is over, press the Run Cleaner button.

    • Do not forget to regularly clean your laptop not only of outdated and unnecessary programs, but also of useless folders left over from erased programs. You can uninstall programs through the Recycle Bin, Launchpad, third-party programs such as AppCleaner, and the Unistall application found in the installed program folder. After you have uninstalled the program, it is recommended to scan your hard drive for unnecessary folders, for example, using CCleaner.

    Usually, the process of deleting files on Mac is simple. Unlike Windows, it does not have a dedicated uninstaller - to get rid of an unnecessary application or file, you just need to drag the corresponding icon to the Trash (or press Cmd + Space) and then empty the Trash. However, there are situations in which this is not enough. First, applications removed in this way often leave behind unnecessary files that accumulate on the hard drive, taking up valuable space and slowing down your computer. Secondly, some programs installed by default on Mac (iTunes, Safari, and others) cannot be uninstalled this way. To deal with these problems, we recommend installing Movavi Mac Cleaner, an efficient and safe computer cleaning program.

    To learn how to completely uninstall the program from your Mac and free up disk space with ease, just follow the steps below.

    1. Install Movavi Mac Cleaner

    Download the program, run the installation file and follow the instructions on the screen.

    2. Assess the condition of your computer

    When you start Mac Cleaner for the first time, it will quickly check your hard drive and determine the number of unnecessary files on it (cache and system log that can be cleaned without harming your computer). To remove these files, click Start cleaning... If you don't want to do this yet, just go to the next step.

    3. Remove unnecessary applications

    In the menu on the left, open Uninstaller and wait while Mac Cleaner finds all applications on your Mac. After that, three tabs will appear above the list of programs: User applications, OS X Applications and Leftovers.

    To remove unnecessary applications that you previously installed yourself, click User applications, mark the programs that you want to erase from the disk in the list, and click Delete.

    If, for any reason, you want to remove the default programs (iTunes, Safari, Mail, and others), open the tab OS X Applications and remove unnecessary applications as described above.