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Possible Duplicates:
How to uninstall software on a Mac
Uninstall on Mac OS X?
Removing all traces of a program on Mac OS X

Some applications look like simple image files (total = 1) living in the Applications folder. I suspect these can simply be trashed directly.

Other applications use a more complex installer, setting up folder and files in various places. A good example of this is SpringTools Suite, which puts the main application folder in the user's home directory and a working directory in the user's Documents directory. While some installers come with an "uninstall" option, some - such as STS - do not.

How can you safely and cleanly uninstall an application whose installer doesn't come with the option?

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4 Answers 4

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If there is no obvious way like drag-to-trash or a separate uninstaller, then the answer would be "it depends." It would vary from application to application, since you would most likely have to delete components by hand.

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I'm using AppCleaner, it's usually good at finding the /Users/myself/.myapp and such files applications disseminate out of their .app container.

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  • This is indeed a very handy tool, i use it myself. But it can't handle all applications (STS is a good example). IMHO MarkM gave the best answer, but this tool is worth mentioning!
    – lajuette
    Aug 7, 2010 at 13:51
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The .app files are not files but they are "containers" of software, similar to a .deb package in linux. The main difference within .app and .dmg is that if you delete a .app contained you also remove all the files associated with it.

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  • .app-"files" are actually directories containing the program itself (or sometimes programs, plural), required resources, libraries, etc. I.e. everything the Application consists of. -- A .dmg-file is a disk image. .apps are usually distributed on .dmg images. Removing the .app OR the .dmg doesn't automagically remove all files associated to it (i.e. preference files etc.). -- A .deb is a package archive contains an application and resources (just like an .app) and information on how to install the application (while an .app can run without installation!)
    – lajuette
    Aug 7, 2010 at 13:50
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For standalone applications, use TrashMe.

For apps done with an installer, a good installer will come with an uninstaller. If not, check the software website for uninstall instructions.

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