Deleting Apps on my iMac

Question

At the risk of sounding completely ignorant how does one delete Apps on an iMac?
Thanks
Scott

Answer 1

Scott,
Deleting applications from an iMac is the same as any Apple computer. But… depending upon the app, there is an easy way and more involved way. Sorry for the long explanation but there are various ways to delete applications based on the app developer, the app version and your OSX version. So there isn't one answer. This will give you a number of ways to give you a good over view how:
1. First check to see if the app you want off your computer has an "uninstall" app. This is your best option if one exists. Reason: presumably the app developer created the uninstaller to delete the obvious main app in your Applications folder, but all the sometimes many supporting files that can live in various places based on how the app was created to function. Probably all apps have supporting files in your Library > Preferences folder. Also inside our Libraries is an Application Support folder, which inside "may" have a sub-folder or just lose file(s) for the app(s) you want to delete. Inside the Library may be a folder just for your app. In mine I see: Acrobat User Data, Extensis, Google, iTunes, Snap Pro X which are all from apps on my drive. In my Application Support folder I have 106 folders corresponding to different apps that I have or have had and never deleted fully. In your Library > Preferences folder you'll see both folders or individual files for either actual apps, like Adobe Photoshop has 4 folders (like Adobe Photoshop CS5 Settings, plus individual files too which look similar to: com.adobe.Photoshop.plist.
The reason I mention this is not to overwhelm you, but to advise that just deleting the application you see in your Applications folder sometimes the app has a built in delete function that when the main app is trashed, the support files are too. Other times you need to run the applications uninstaller app (if one exists) to get rid of all files associated with the app(s) you want deleted.
The good news is as others have said here, with the main app deleted the support files just lay unused and dormant and aren't large so don't take up much disk space and won't run or interfere with other apps. PERSONALLY? I like to delete all files for an application, especially ones that I may later install a later version. But again, there is little worry that old support files will interfere with later versions of the same app. But… to be fair, anything is possible, even if highly unlikely. Here are some ideas:
2. Where to find uninstallers? There's no one spot, but some places are:
If the app is inside its own folder in Applications like Adobe often does, like: Applications > Adobe InDesign CS5 > Uninstall Adobe InDesign CS5
In the CD, DVD or .dmg install file
Your Applications > Utilities folder may have installers there. Adobe has a few, but interesting not for all or even most their apps.
In Hard Drive > Library > Application Support...
3. Go to the website of the app and see if there is an uninstaller there for download, or directions how to manually delete all files some of which will live in some of the example places I mentioned above. Manual deleting isn't hard, and not even time consuming because there aren't that many.
4. Library: on later OSX versions the Library was made invisible but you can still get there, but be careful going in here as you don't want to delete things you shouldn't by mistake. But it if you take care and follow directions, you'll be fine. I believe this happened with Lion (OSX 10.7). To get to the Library in Lion and later, simply go the Finder (click on your Desktop and hold down the Option key > Click the Go menu in the upper left to the right of the Apple logo:
If you release the Option key you won't see Library.
The only reason you'd go here is if you were following directions on how fully delete your application.
5. Google Search it. "How do I completely delete Adobe Photoshop CS3 on Mavericks " for example. Try to include the app version and the OSX you are using because developers change locations for different application and OSX versions. You will usually find info on this in various forums about the app or the developer, or even here in Apple Discussions even on non Apple applications you "might" find info.
6. Email Tech Support: the app's tech support will usually help you. Go to the app or developer of the app's website and find "Contact" or "Contact Us" and email them how to uninstall. Again, provide all the important info: app version, your OSX version.
7. Your System Preferences. Click the Apple logo in the upper left. Sometimes in "Other" at the bottom of all the icons there may be an uninstaller, or if there's an icon for the app or the developer I've found how to uninstall apps. Not often, but sometimes over the years I have.
8. Lastly: if you can't find an uninstaller, or directions for manual deletion, then simply drag the app in question to the trash and trash it. Make sure the app isn't running. If Trash doesn't allow you which can happen based on the app, you may have to provide your computer's password you defined when setting up your computer, unless you left that blank. Or you might simply need to restart your computer and try to empty the Trash again.
Sorry for the tonnage of info, but something in all this will point you in the direction you want depending on the developer, the app and how complete you want to uninstall the app.
I hope this is helpful to you or anyone else looking to uninstall an application.
Steven