Completely disable or remove the Mac App Store

Hello,
I have several Macintosh computers which are on an unmanaged network, however I need to control what applications are installed on these machines without having to dig through Parental Controls on each machine. My question is simple: *how do I go about disabling or removing the Mac App Store from these machines after updating to 10.6.6 properly ?* -- avoiding the update itself isn't a solution as all future updates are likely to have it bundled in as well.
Here's what I've tried so far:
1. Restricting access to App Store.app via CHMOD in the Terminal - messy and would prefer not to have to go this route.
2. Trashing App Store.app entirely - seems to reset the "App Store" link in the Apple menu back to "Mac OS X Downloads..." and does almost what I want except when opening unknown file types, the dialog asks you if you want to search the App Store at which point you hit the button and it does nothing. Seems a bit hacky/messy.
I was hoping there would be some sort of toggle for this via a PLIST or something of the sort instead of resorting to deleting system files etc.
Cheers,
John
Message was edited by: John S.A. - fixed the title.

If you have a computer lab or some similar environment where this app is inappropriate, just delete it. That's all you have to do. Yes, that means that the Search App Store button won't work when opening an unknown file type, but that's a minor issue that can be explained away easily by just telling people who encounter that issue that the App Store is disabled.
As to everyone else (not John S.A.) who does not have a good reason to disable it and has some kind of aesthetic or ethical gripe about it... quit the baby-whining! Geez, if you don't like it, you don't have to use it! Delete it or don't, but quit crying about it! You can still purchase and install applications the same way you did before the App Store. Apple is not forcing you to use it, they are not forcing you to enter any personal information.
I really don't get the whole "you get what the manufacturer wants you to have" nonsense. It is an option. Let's keep some perspective here, folks.

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I would like to get it back.
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Here's the link for the v10.6.7 combo update which should reinstall the App Store.app for you.
http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1361

How do I download and reinstall the mac app store?

I'm running 10.6.8 and I removed the Mac App Store application from my application folder because after numerous attempts it kept failing to open.
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AWrenn

Installing the Mac OS X 10.6.8 Update Combo
will reinstall the App Store for you. It's ok to do this even though you already running v10.6.8
Restart your Mac after the combo is installed.
You should then be able to access the App Store from your Apple menu, the Dock, or the Applications folder.
edited by: cs

How do I disable the Mac App Store?

I have a special needs son and for this reason I have to limit what he has access to on his iMac.
With the Mac App Store coming I had made the choice to simply not install/download the Mac App Store. I realized that this morning that is not an option, it is installed as part of the 10.6.6 update.
I removed it from the dock but still I realize it is installed on the Mac and for example it's an option on the Apple pulldown menu and I know there is an option of when a file cannot be opened there is an option to open the app store to find an app.
I looked at Parental controls but unless I am wrong could not find an option to completely disable the app store. I don't mind enabling it when I want to install certain apps on his mac that he will need. This may be convenient but simply don't want him to be able to get into the app store to install apps.
Thank you for your help.

I agree. Current MAC is my first and I was happy with it. But this new direction means it will be my last. I've deleted AppSotre.app (or whatever it was called). but I still be Finder offering to search App Store for me !!! It is well and truly tied into the OS.
With windows you take what Microsoft what you to have. Now with Mac you take what Apple require you to have. So looks like Linux (where you still seem to have a choice).
Seems to be a lot of bad feeling caused by the fact that it cannot be globally disabled. Fanboys love it and hate any criticism yet many others are disappointed. For me, I'll give Apple a wek for a global disable/remove, them commit to Linux. (Of course I'll keep the Mac for Photoshop but no more updates and no replacement).

How can I delete a app from the Mac App Store completely?

I have a apllication which had a error. I delete it and download the app from the Mac App Store again, but the error wasn't delete. My iMac had stored it and the Error wasn't deleted so I can't youse the app.
What can I do to delete the app complete?
Please answer.

If your App was faulty in some way you should write to iTunes support. If you simply want to delete it, most Apps carry uninstall (not delete) instructions.
Incidentally, I believe you cannot delete the record of your purchase from iTunes. That will always stay on your purchases list and be marked with a dark grey square as INSTALL..

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OK .... last user insalled software that was not owned by company. Software removed bug solved.

How to reinstall the mac app store after an accidental removal?

I have a real problem, and I could use anyones help. I am running Mac os x 10.6.8 and was trying to to upgrade to lion, however I was experiencing issues with the mac app store and had to delete, not in the knowledge that I cannot download the combo pack of 10.6.6. Is there anyway to reinstall the mac app store after 10.6.6, current is 10.6.8.
please can someone help me.
most appreciated.

Manually download and install the 10.6.8 Update Combo.
http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1399

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I need to update my Mac to snow leopard. I purchased it online, and they sent me an email with the redemption code. The instructions say I have to redeem it from the Mac App Store, but since you have to have Snow Leopard or higher to get the Mac App Store, I don't know how to redeem my purchase....please help.

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Be sure to make a backup first because the following procedure will erase
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Repair the Hard Drive and Permissions
Boot from your Snow Leopard Installer disc. After the installer loads select your language and click on the Continue button. When the menu bar appears select Disk Utility from the Utilities menu. After DU loads select your hard drive entry (mfgr.'s ID and drive size) from the the left side list. In the DU status area you will see an entry for the S.M.A.R.T. status of the hard drive. If it does not say "Verified" then the hard drive is failing or failed. (SMART status is not reported on external Firewire or USB drives.) If the drive is "Verified" then select your OS X volume from the list on the left (sub-entry below the drive entry,) click on the First Aid tab, then click on the Repair Disk button. If DU reports any errors that have been fixed, then re-run Repair Disk until no errors are reported. If no errors are reported click on the Repair Permissions button. Wait until the operation completes, then quit DU and return to the installer.
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That's a good idea (leaving it plugged in all the time) aside from the fact that I'm cheap as heck. Being poor has something to do with it since I'm a grad student. When I'm not using my printer, can opener, toaster, etc. I unplug them or turn them off. Because of this, during the summer I'm able to have electric bills under 20 dollars a month for my apt. I used to even turn of my router every night when I wasn't using it but got fed up with resetting it every time. I also don't use air conditioning and live in KY (my asthmatic lungs react better to heat with humidity than dryness, and to save $). I know - I'm completely different than the norm, but I get by with my quirks. How much do you think it would cost me extra a year to leave my computer plugged in and "sleeping" every night?
If I go into itunes with the preferences, could I make it so itunes never looks for updates? Thanks again.

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I am using Leopard but need Mountain Lion for the Mac App Store. How do I get Snow Leopard to be able to upgrade to Mountain Lion?

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Upgrading to Mountain Lion
You can upgrade to Mountain Lion from Lion or directly from Snow Leopard. Mountain Lion can be downloaded from the Mac App Store for $19.99. To access the App Store you must have Snow Leopard 10.6.6 or later installed.
If you need to purchase Snow Leopard contact Customer Service: Contacting Apple for support and service. The price is $29.00 plus tax. You will receive physical media - DVD - by mail.
Third-party sources for Snow Leopard are:
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Snow Leopard from eBay
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Macs that can be upgraded to OS X Mountain Lion
iMac (Mid 2007 or newer)
MacBook (Late 2008 Aluminum, or Early 2009 or newer)
MacBook Pro (Mid/Late 2007 or newer)
MacBook Air (Late 2008 or newer)
Mac mini (Early 2009 or newer)
Mac Pro (Early 2008 or newer)
Xserve (Early 2009)
Are my applications compatible?
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I have os 10.6.5, but can't get the mac app store

I would like to access the App Store, and even though I have version 10.6 as stated in the requirements, I don't have it on my computer nor can I run software update to get it as the App Store page suggests. My "About This Mac" window says I'm running 10.6.5, but the "Software Update" button is grayed out and when I hover over it says, "This button is disabled because there is no Software Update application."
Seems to me I'm stuck, as I can't run software update to get the mac app store.
Am I missing something simple?

If the Software Update application is not in your Applications folder, then apparently you've inadvertently done away with it. Downloading and installing the standalone Combo Update, as the previous poster has suggested, may install a new copy of it. If it doesn't, you can reinstall it from your original OS installer DVD using Pacifist:
http://www.charlessoft.com/

Completely disable or remove the Mac App Store

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