Do I need an uninstall program?

When I am trying some software and install it I am not sure what files are put where. I am a new Mac user.
When I drag an application out of the Application folder to uninstall it I heard that it does not get rid of everything. I like the feeling of having a "clean" machine.
Can anyone recommend what to do? Is there a reliable program that monitors apps as they are installed and then cleans them out when uninstalled?
Or does having such a program slow down or negatively affect my machine and it is not really worth it as the left over files are non intrusive and just leave well enough alone?
Also, I guess what I am looking for is a site or list that says: Here are things to prep your new Mac...
Some of these initial things that you guys may do to your new mac may be second nature to you guys but what should a new user do?
Thanks for the advice!
Wayne

Hi.
Most programs will leave behind property list files like com.whatever.plist (in User/Library/Preferences or /Library/Preferences), these are harmless. Some may put a folder in /User/Library/Application Support or /Library/Application Support, it will only take up space, but it's harmless as well.
Some other programs may also install kernel extensions, .kext files in System/Library/Extensions (sort of an equivalent to windows drivers in C/Windows/System32). You should not foul around with the Extensions folder.
To find out what an installer has actually copied to your hard drive, you can have a look at this link.
Finally, as an advice from my own experience, I never install anything I don't know how to uninstall later.
Good Luck.

Similar Messages

  • Do I need to uninstall programs with a Mac? and more questions.

    Aloha all,
    I am about 3 days old with my new Macbook. I love it and am almost completely sold to Macs forever. This thing is wonderful.
    However, I still dont know all the answers yet and need some help.
    I tried to download the Microsoft video player to view a vid online. It never installed properly for some reason, and I just want to know if it even is still on my HD. Do I have to uninstall things like you do on Windows? Where do I go and how do I do this?
    Also, I downloaded the newest version of itunes today, yet in my applications folder there is still one itunes icon and a white HD looking icon that says itune 6.0.5. Is that normal?
    Hope that made sense.
    Thanks for you help in advance.

    I tried to download the Microsoft video player to
    view a vid online. It never installed properly for
    some reason,
    You might want to use Flip4Mac instead.
    If you are downloading Windows Media Player you will also need to download Stuffit Expander as Microsoft have used Stuffit to compress the installation file and Tiger now no longer comes with Stuffit.
    Once you have expanded the .sit file you can then run the Windows Media Player installer.
    VLC which is a universal binary
    http://www.videolan.org/vlc/download-macosx.html
    Flip4Mac allows you to play Windows Media files through Quicktime, however it is not a universal binary so
    a) you have to run the installer app through Rosetta to install Flip4Mac
    b) Quicktime also has to run through Rosetta to play Windows Media files with Flip4Mac
    c) Safari (and other browsers) need to run through Rosetta to play embedded Windows Media files on webpages
    and I just want to know if it even is
    still on my HD.
    Probably.
    Do I have to uninstall things like
    you do on Windows? Where do I go and how do I do
    this?
    Depends on the application.
    Some have uninstallers (similar to Windows).
    Others can be simply dragged to the trash.
    Also, I downloaded the newest version of itunes
    today, yet in my applications folder there is still
    one itunes icon and a white HD looking icon that says
    itune 6.0.5. Is that normal?
    Yes. That is a mounted disk image. You can safely drag it to the trash.
    Hope that made sense.
    ditto
    iFelix

  • How to uninstall programs

    my macbook says that my start up disc is full and that i need to uninstall programs. i have no idea how to do that. for some reason i thought once i put the program from applications to the trash bin that that would deleted them (after i delete the trash bin) but they still seem to be on here because my husband says after i deleted some of his programs he was still able to use them and i still get the "start-up disc full" message.
    please help
    thank you

    Hi romini;
    Generally speaking programs are relatively small. It is usually the data files that take up more space. Of these data files, the worst offenders are usually music and photo that can eat a disk alive.
    I would suggest you download an application called WhatSize. This will tell you exactly what is eating up the most disk space on your system. Then you can go through and either move them elsewhere or delete them.
    Allan

  • I need to uninstall my old version on itunes and install a new version, i cant uninstall from Programs and Features, a message keeps coming up saying 'The feature you are trying to use is on a network resource that is unavailable.' Can anyone help please

    I have tried to just install the new version of itunes from the apple website, it looks like it downloads but after 5 minutes at the end of the install it says 'old version of itunes cannot be uninstalled, please contact support.'?  
    Is there anyway I can remove the version of itunes from my computer? i dont mind if i lose the music/content I already have on my itunes. I need to do this as i have just received the iphone 4 and need to install the newest version of itunes.
    Many thanks

    I need to uninstall my old version on itunes and install a new version, i cant uninstall from Programs and Features, a message keeps coming up saying 'The feature you are trying to use is on a network resource that is unavailable.'
    Unfortunately, this sort of trouble has gotten more complicated to deal with ever since Microsoft pulled the Windows Installer CleanUp utility from their Download Center on June 25. First we have to find a copy of the utility.
    Let's try Googling. (Best not to use Bing, I think.) Look for a working download site for at least version 3.0 of the Windows Installer CleanUp utility. After downloading the utility installer file (msicuu2.exe), scan the file for malware, just in case. (I use the free version of Malwarebytes AntiMalware to do single-file scans for that.)
    If the file is clean, to install the utility, doubleclick the msicuu2.exe file you've downloaded.
    Now run the utility ("Start > All Programs > Windows Install Clean Up"). In the list of programs that appears in CleanUp, select any iTunes entries and click "Remove".
    Quit out of CleanUp, restart the PC and try installing iTunes again. Does the install go through properly now?
    (If you do find a clean download site for the correct version of CleanUp, please don't tell me where it is. Without wishing to sound paranoid (although I grant it does sound paranoid), there is a non-zero chance that posting links to download locations for the utility here at Discussions leads to that download location being shut down.)

  • Do i need to uninstall netgear router program if switching to new router?

    Do i need to uninstall netgear router program if I want to install a new router program?

    no, in fact, it's better to update it instead of installing the new one separately so that you don't loose your bookmarks and such.
    To update, open firefox and go to Help and chose About Firefox. you should see an update button there.

  • I need to uninstall Elements 13 but program not listed

    When I go to Control Panel, Programs and Features to uninstall, change or repair the Photoshop Elements 13 program which I downloaded on a trial basis is not listed.
    I need to uninstall it as it has taken over everything and slowed down my computer.  Obviously program not suitable for me.
    Can anyone help me with this one please.

    cactisken
    You should not have to uninstall Premiere Elements 12/12.1 in order to install and run Premiere Elements 13 on the same computer unless your computer is overloaded and the computer resources are compromised. Just use one program at a time.
    Can you still use 12/12.1 on this same computer that will not let you use 13?
    What specific Window operating system are you using?
    Let us go through the usual drill...
    1. Does the problem exist with and without the antivirus and firewall(s) disabled?
    2. Are you using a pen and tablet device instead of a mouse?
    3. Did you install the program with antivirus and firewall(s) disabled?
    4. Disable the SLCache Folder found in Windows 7, 8, or 8.1 64 bit
    Local Disk C
    Program Files (x86)
    Common Files
    Adobe
    and in the Adobe Folder should be the SL Cache Folder that you delete or disable by renaming the Folder
    from SLCache to SLCacheOLD.
    5. Are you running the program as Administrator and is the latest version of QuickTime installed on the same
    computer as Premiere Elements 13?
    Let us start here and then decide what next.
    Thank you.
    ATR

  • When I open a pdf from email source or online it deletes my authorization and I get a message saying this program is not authorized. You need to uninstall and reinstall.

    Saying this program is not authorized. You need to uninstall it and reinstall. This is getting old. Any way to fix it?@

    This is Acrobat9 Pro. Has worked fine until very recent when this started happening.

  • I cannot uninstall program (I need the space) - suggestions?

    When I run the windows uninstall program nothing happens - the uninstall program does not run

    When I run the windows uninstall program nothing happens - the uninstall program does not run

  • While going through uninstalling programs I didnt need i accidently uninstalled bonjour, where can i go to download it again?

    While going through uninstalling programs I didn't use any longer, I accidently uninstalled bonjour.  Where can I go to download it again?

    Uninstalling and then reinstalling your iTunes should also get your Bonjour reinstalled.
    For the reinstall, use an installer downloaded from the Apple website:
    http://www.apple.com/itunes/download/
    ... or you could get it back via your Apple Software Update for Windows.
    If you'd prefer not to uninstall iTunes, try the following procedure.
    Download and save a copy of the iTunesSetup.exe (or iTunes64setup.exe) installer file to your hard drive:
    http://www.apple.com/itunes/download/
    Download and install the free trial version of WinRAR:
    http://www.rarlab.com/
    Right-click the iTunesSetup.exe (or iTunes64setup.exe), and select "Extract to iTunesSetup" (or "Extract to iTunes64Setup"). WinRAR will expand the contents of the file into a folder called "iTunesSetup" (or "iTunes64Setup").
    Go into the folder and doubleclick the Bonjour.msi (or Bonjour64.msi) to do a standalone Bonjour install.

  • HT1751 I need to uninstall and reinstall iTunes (it won't let me update). So, how do I copy or back up my iTunes library of over 1,500 songs? Can I use a Flash Drive to do so?

    I need to uninstall and reinstall iTunes (it won't let me update). I have IE 8 on Windows XP, and iTunes 10 something. In my Program files list I see iTunes and iTunes (2) and even iPod and iPod (2) where a tech had to back up and do this for me before. I'm just trying to fix it all. I keep getting the "The feature you are trying to use is on a network resource that is unavailable. Click OK to try again, or enter an alternate path to a folder containing the installation package 'iTunes.msi' in the box below." I can even run a search and find the folder, but it gives me the same error message. I was planning on using the Microsoft Fix-It tool  to help uninstall then Reinstall iTunes. But I need to backup my library. So, how do I copy or back up my iTunes library of over 1,500 songs? Can I copy the folder to desktop or can I use a Flash Drive to backup my music? I don't want to do anything until I know for sure how I can backup my songs, and then reinstall them into iTunes. Thanks for any help.

    Ok, thanks that helps. I don't have an external hard drive though. What about backing up through 'the cloud'? I'm just wondering since my husband syncs his iPod to the PC through iTunes and he's worried that he will lose all the songs on his iPod if the library is lost from iTunes and he tries to 'sync' it up again. I'm not exactly sure how to  'copy the entire iTunes folder' either. I kinda suck at this unless I have step by step instructions, which I haven't found yet on iTunes help or other sources.
    The only way I know how to back anything up is by going back to a restore point, etc. (as stated before, we don't have an external hard drive.)
    Thanks for the info.

  • I need to uninstall Adobe Flash Player Installer/Uninstaller 14.0 r0

    I need to uninstall Adobe® Flash® Player Installer/Uninstaller 14.0 r0 but have looked everywhere for how to do this & can not find out how to do this can someone please help? I am using A Sony Vaio, Windows Vista Home Premium 32 bit, I use Chrome Version 36.0.1985.143 m.
    I want to get it off of my system because ever since I installed it I have had problems with Chrome loading it does not want to load then if I restart my comptuter & I click on chrome  5 windows open up at one time a white box appears saying "Your profile can not be used because it is from a newer browser version of google chrome. Some features may be available. Please specify a different profile directory  or use a different version of chrome" then if you click ok it shuts all the windows down. I have figured a way to get one window to stay open so I can use chrome, now I do have other browser I can use but I do not like them  at all & do not have a flash player since mine is built in with Chrome. So on to the other problem that began as soon as I downloaded this & I understand it may not be this but I still want to get it off of my computer. I also have been having trouble with my flash player error messages: saying it has stopped working constantly, it says upgrade flash text, a plug in shock wave flash isn't responding then in (stop plug in) it wants you to hit.  I have run 3 different Mallware programs through my computer just in case that was one question that was going to be ask. No other programs jave been downloaded wither.
    I am not very good with computers so I have to come to places like this for help & I really have to have help explaining what to do because  do not know much about computers other then getting on them & surfing the web & some basic things. When chromes message said specify a different profile directory that went right over m head. So that should give you an idea where I am coming from. I want to thank you in advance & hope I have made sense in what I have written I tried to give all the information that I could.

    Your screenshot of task manager clarifies things.
    When I replied, I had been looking at the screenshot of the desktop from the original poster, which shows the uninstaller executable and it's properties.  That executable doesn't install anything -- it can just be dragged to the trash; however, that didn't completely align with the behaviors either of you were describing, and we've been trying to figure out what you were talking about.  It wasn't making a lot of sense to me, and it's not a question that I've seen come up before, at least not articulated this way.
    FlashUtil32_XX_XX_XX_XX.exe is the sandbox broker for Internet Explorer.  You can read more about the sandbox work here: Flash Player Security with Windows 8 and Internet Explorer 10
    The description listed in Task Manager is a bug, and the source of the confusion.  We've been doing a lot of work modernizing our build systems, and this is fallout from that work. This is something I'd like to see cleaned up, but it's pretty low on the list of priorities.
    The broker service is invoked when Internet Explorer is running in Protected Mode.  On my Windows 7 machine running IE 10, running Flash content in Internet Explorer with Protected Mode enabled causes the broker service to be invoked (this is probably true for previous versions as well, but I didn't test them).  If I disable Protected Mode and restart Internet Explorer, the broker is not invoked, which is expected.
    To disable Protected Mode, launch Internet Explorer and choose security.  Uncheck Enable Protected Mode.  Internet Explorer will restart, and you should be able to verify that the broker is no longer invoked when loading content with Flash Player.
    I've included a screenshot showing the expected processes in both scenarios below.  As the Flash Player ActiveX control is loaded into an Internet Explorer process, you'll see the child explorer.exe process listed, which hosts the Flash ActiveX control in the process list.
    Sandboxing the Flash Player plug-in is an important security mitigation intended to increase the cost of successfully developing and deploying malware.  While it's not a panacea, it significantly raises the bar for attackers.  As I'm sure you've read in the news and trade literature, the threat landscape has evolved significantly over the last few years, and modern security threats and their mitigations are a necessary reality.  New mitigations typically come with some additional processing overhead.  The overhead varies based on the architectural choices made by the particular browser vendors, but the overhead in IE is pretty reasonable.
    We haven't published a blog post specific to IE, but if you're interested in the implementation details, the sandbox architecture is similar to what we did with Protected Mode for Firefox on Windows.  The Flash Player process that handles untrusted content runs at Low Integrity, which restricts access to critical system resources in the event that you encounter malware designed to take control of the Flash Player process.  Access to system resources is negotiated through a Medium Integrity broker process.  Without Protected Mode, the Flash Player process handling untrusted content runs at Medium Integrity, making it easier for malware to escalate privileges from a hijacked process.  Depending on the functionality in play, a lot of message-passing can take place between IE, the broker and Flash Player.  We've effectively doubled the number of messages that get passed, plus put a bunch of validation checks in, and all of that consumes CPU.  It also makes your web browsing activity more secure.
    Some desktop applications (Yahoo Messenger, for example) also use the ActiveX version of Flash Player installed on your machine.  This could explain why you see Flash Player and the broker invoked unexpectedly.  We're also aware of an issue on Vista where the broker doesn't always exit as expected.  In that instance (and on WinXP), I'd highly recommend that people use Google Chrome for web browsing, as Google has extended some security mitigations that would only be available to Internet Explorer users running in newer versions of Windows, and it doesn't suffer from this specific issue with the broker.

  • Do I need to uninstall Crystal Reports Server 2008?

    Hello,
    We recently installed Crystal Reports Server 2008 and began migrating reports off the CR Enterprise 9 platform and things were going pretty well.
    One of our other locations began moving over their reports that are ran against an Oracle database and cannot get passed a connectivity issue. We found the following:
    Oracle connectivity issues
    If you are installing Crystal Reports Server 2008 V1 on a 64-bit Windows
    platform, Oracle database connectivity issues may occur. If Crystal Reports
    Server 2008 V1 is installed to a location that contains brackets in the folder
    path, for example, C:\Program Files (x86)\, it will be unable to connect
    to an Oracle database. Certain Oracle database clients such as version
    10.2.0.2 or 10.1.0.2, may not function properly with any application that
    has brackets in its folder path. When installing Crystal Reports Server 2008
    V1, select an installation path that does not contain brackets, such as
    C:\Program Files x86\ or contact Oracle support for an updated database
    client.
    We of course have everything installed in the default (x86) folder. My question is, is there a way to move the installation, or do I need to uninstall/re-install? If I need to re-install, is there a way to back-up and reload all of my existing jobs?

    Hello,
    CR must have the Oracle client installed. Unless you use a Wired Driver, which has the client engine built in, CR requires a client to be installed. It never has worked without the client installed.
    Also, I've found that if you have more than one Oracle client installed it causes problems. Make sure the first one in the PATH statement points to the latest version of the client.
    And yes you are correct, ODBC is a layer on top of the native client so it will be slower obviously because it has to go through one more layer of dll's to get to the server.
    Thanks again
    Don

  • The new version installs (Win 8.1) but will not launch - do I need to uninstall Lightroom 5.7 first?

    Creative Cloud desktop app installs the new Lightroom CC but it wont launch - I've tried several times but nothing happens.  (Windows 8.1) do I need to uninstall Lightroom 5.7 first?

    Hi Susan,
    Please check this link: https://forums.adobe.com/message/7460001#7460001
    and if does not work
    Please follow these steps:
    Try to rename SLCacje to Slcache.old
    C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Adobe
    and
    SLStore to Slstore.old
    C:\ProgramData\Adobe\SLStore
    and Right Click on the Adobe Lightroom icon and run as administrator.
    Regards,
    Sandeep

  • I need to uninstall downloaded version of Elements 12 on a computer, then install Elements 12 on the same computer directly from a disk. Elements 11 was previously used on same computer, and the albums and library had been moved to the first installation

    I need to uninstall downloaded version of Elements 12 on a computer, then install Elements 12 on the same computer directly from a disk. Elements 11 was previously used on same computer, and the albums and library had been moved to the first installation of 12, which I am removing. How do I correctly unstall the old Elements 12, and install the new elements 12 from disk, and retain all albums and libraries from the old Elements 12?

    You're welcome.  It was not an answer, it was a question, and it could lead to being helpful if you explain why you think you need to uninstall.
    As far as uninstalling goes, you will uninstall it like you do for any program, which depends on what kind of operating system you have.  If you wish to retain albums and whatnot, maybe the following link can provide some guidance.
    Photoshop Elements Help / Use Backup, Restore to move catalog | Organizer | Elements 6 or later
    http://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop-elements/kb/backup-restore-move-catalog-photoshop.html#ma in_Special_notes_if_you_restore_a_catalog_from_a_previous_version_of_Photoshop_Elements

  • Adobe Product Problems. Can't Install, or Uninstall programs. Also programs installed on my computer are not showing up in CC

    I have tried many times but, I can not install any adobe products onto my computer (It does meet system requirements). It always is gets an "Installation failed" error at 42% I also can not uninstall adobe programs. I have Adobe after effects installed and I have tried to uninstall it. A window comes up saying "Uninstall Failed" and gives me some trouble shooting tips which I have tried many times. Another problem is when I open up creative cloud my installed programs do not show up. For example I have Adobe After Effects but, in creative cloud it is listed as uninstalled and has a button that says "Try" even though it is already installed onto my computer. I have problems with the CreativeCloudCleaner too. I have tried using it to uninstall programs but, when I choose the option to delete adobe CC products it only gives me the option to delete Creative Cloud and no CC programs. These are problems I have been trying to fix for days but, I have not yet found a solution anywhere.

    64-bit Operating System (Windows 8.1)
    CPU: AMD A10-4600M APU with Radeon(tm) HD Graphics (4 CPUs) ~2.3 Ghz
    RAM: 6GB of RAM
    Graphics: AMD Radeon HD 7660G
    Is that what you need?

Maybe you are looking for