Uninstalling Apps on Mac
Uninstalling an app on your Mac is easy. Removing the app from your computer can bring you extra storage space and free up RAM. It can also help prevent malicious activity and protect your data. Knowing how to completely uninstall an app can keep your Mac running smoothly and efficiently, so read on to find out how!
The good news is that uninstalling apps on a Mac is simple. All you need to do is open Finder, navigate to Applications, then select the one you want to remove from your system. Once the application has been identified, drag it into Trash – this will initiate the uninstall process.
Step 1: Removing from Dock
Removing an app from your Mac is the first step in completely uninstalling it. There are a few ways to do this, depending on whether you have downloaded the app from the App Store or elsewhere.
The simplest way to remove an app from your Mac is by dragging it off of the dock. To do this, click and hold the icon of the app that you want to uninstall until all of your other icons start to jiggle. Then simply drag and drop it off of the dock and into any folder on your desktop, such as “Applications” or “Trash.” The next steps will depend on where you dropped it—if you dragged it into Trash, then complete removal will be as simple as emptying Trash; if not, more steps are needed for full uninstallation.
Step 2: Dragging to Trash
The second step in uninstalling an app from your Mac is dragging it to the trash. To do this, you’ll first need to locate the icon of the app on your computer’s desktop or inside of a folder. Once you’ve located the app, just click and hold its icon with your mouse or cursor. You’ll then need to drag it from wherever it currently is over to the Trash icon which can be found at the bottom right corner of your screen, typically near your Dock. Once you drop it into the Trash, that app has been successfully removed from your Mac.
Be aware that while this will uninstall most apps, some applications may leave additional files on your system after being dragged and dropped into Trash.
Step 3: Deleting Library Files
When you’re ready to completely uninstall an app from your Mac, the third step is to delete library files. This step is a bit complicated, as there are multiple folders that need to be checked in order for all of the application’s data and resources to be removed. To begin, open up Finder and type in “Library” into the search bar at the top right corner of your screen. Once the Library folder has been located, expand it by double-clicking on it.
From here you’ll want to scroll through each directory within this folder and look for any files associated with the application you’re uninstalling. In particular, focus on any folders labeled Application Support or Caches; these are where many apps store their settings and data stores.
Step 4: Uninstalling with App Cleaner
When it comes to completely uninstalling an app on your Mac, the fourth and final step is to use an app cleaner. App cleaners are powerful tools that offer a deep clean of any application or file associated with the program you’re trying to uninstall. This ensures that every trace of the unwanted program is completely removed from your system.
Using an app cleaner is simple and straightforward. First, select the application you wish to uninstall from the list provided in the app cleaner’s interface. Once you’ve made your selection, click ‘Uninstall’ or ‘Delete’, depending on which option appears for a specific program. In some cases, both options will appear – ‘Uninstall’ is usually used for programs purchased through Apple’s App Store; ‘Delete’ can be used for any other type of application installed on your Mac.
Step 5: Resetting App Preferences
If you’ve followed the four previous steps to completely uninstall an app from your Mac, then you’re ready for Step 5: Resetting App Preferences. This process will help ensure that all of the application’s preferences and settings have been properly reset and removed. To complete this step, you first need to open System Preferences by clicking on its icon in your Dock or by selecting it from the Apple menu. From there, check for any remaining entries associated with the app that you just uninstalled. If any remain, select them and click “Remove” to delete them.
Once all related items are removed, it’s a good idea to restart your Mac so all changes can take effect. This should help ensure that none of the old preferences remain on your system and help keep it running smoothly in the future.
Conclusion: All Done!
The process of uninstalling an app on your Mac may seem daunting, but with the steps outlined above, you should have no problems. Now that you’ve gone through each step and successfully removed the app from your Mac, you can enjoy a clutter-free digital environment.
To ensure that the application has been completely removed, restart your computer after uninstalling. Once restarted, check to see if there are any remaining files or folders associated with the application in case it was not completely deleted. If everything looks clean and up to date, then congratulations! You have completed your uninstallation process – all done!
