If you’re new to Mac, you’re probably looking for the best method to delete unwanted applications/programs. If you’re used to Macs but you keep finding odd folders all over the place connected to applications that you deleted months ago, you’re sure to want a better solution.
Steps
- Understand that most applications for Mac store bits and bobs of information scattered all over your system. Most noticeable is Preferences. So moving an application icon to Trash will delete the main application, but not any folders like this that are stored outside of the application. These folders will never be used again, and tend to take up space without ever being found.
- Download a program to remove the application ‘and all related folders’ at once. Many ask for a fee, but there are some free apps if you look. A popular one is AppCleaner, which is free and requires Mac OS X 10.4.
- Open your application-removing application and a Finder window showing your list of Applications. Most likely, you will need to drag and drop the icons of unwanted apps onto the deleting app. You will often be shown a list of folders that will be deleted along with the unwanted app, which can be deselected if needed.
Tips
- Any deleted files, including your applications, will be stored in Trash should you need to recover them.
