Uninstalling Programs & Freeing Space

I'm new to OS X and was wondering how you uninstall programs. Do you just drag it into the recycling bin? And what are suggestions for some programs to uninstall to free up some space? I have an 80 gig hard drive and I have about 20 gigs of music and pictures but I'm down to 35 gigs. Does OS X take up 25 gigs? What can I do to free up some space? BTW my recycling bin doesn't have anything in it - i've seen that on some other posts.

Here's a quick reference for uninstalling applications:
There are three basic ways to delete applications
1. Drag the application to the Trash and empty the Trash. Then use the Finder''s Find function to locate any additional files and then drag them to the Trash and empty the Trash.
2. Run an uninstall program that came with the application. The uninstall program may be in the same folder or it may be on the same CD or media on which the application was delivered.
3. The application's installer has an uninstall option used to uninstall the application.
In most cases you need only dump the application by simply dragging its icon to the Trash. However, most apps will leave behind at least a preference file. You can generally find it in the /Home/Library/Preferences/ folder. However, without the application the preference file only takes up space. Some applications may store stuff in /Home/Library/Applications Support/ and/or /Home/Library/appname/.
For more complete information visit The XLab FAQs and read the FAQ on uninstalling software.

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Uninstalling programs and related components

How do I uninstall programs and components from this machine. It was given to me with all the original owners stuff on it.

Uninstalling Software: The Basics
Most OS X applications are completely self-contained "packages" that can be uninstalled by simply dragging the application to the Trash. Applications may create preference files that are stored in the /Home/Library/Preferences/ folder. Although they do nothing once you delete the associated application, they do take up some disk space. If you want you can look for them in the above location and delete them, too.
Some applications may install an uninstaller program that can be used to remove the application. In some cases the uninstaller may be part of the application's installer, and is invoked by clicking on a Customize button that will appear during the install process.
Some applications may install components in the /Home/Library/Applications Support/ folder. You can also check there to see if the application has created a folder. You can also delete the folder that's in the Applications Support folder. Again, they don't do anything but take up disk space once the application is trashed.
Some applications may install a startupitem or a Log In item. Startupitems are usually installed in the /Library/StartupItems/ folder and less often in the /Home/Library/StartupItems/ folder. Log In Items are set in the Accounts preferences. Open System Preferences, click on the Accounts icon, then click on the LogIn Items tab. Locate the item in the list for the application you want to remove and click on the "-" button to delete it from the list.
Some software use startup daemons or agents that are a new feature of the OS. Look for them in /Library/LaunchAgents/ and /Library/LaunchDaemons/ or in /Home/Library/LaunchAgents/.
If an application installs any other files the best way to track them down is to do a Finder search using the application name or the developer name as the search term. Unfortunately Spotlight will not look in certain folders by default. You can modify Spotlight's behavior or use a third-party search utility, Easy Find, instead. Download Easy Find at VersionTracker or MacUpdate.
Some applications install a receipt in the /Library/Receipts/ folder. Usually with the same name as the program or the developer. The item generally has a ".pkg" extension. Be sure you also delete this item as some programs use it to determine if it's already installed.
There are many utilities that can uninstall applications. Here is a selection:
AppZapper
Automaton
Hazel
CleanApp
Yank
SuperPop
Uninstaller
Spring Cleaning
Look for them at VersionTracker or MacUpdate.
For more information visit The XLab FAQs and read the FAQ on removing software.

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

How to uninstall programs on Mac OSX

I just switched from PC to Mac, and I have no idea how to uninstall programs.
Im thinking you just drag the app to the trashcan, but does that remove all the files, or is there another way?

Hello,
Preference files (.plist) are left in
~/Library/Preferences if you want clean those out too
(I dont like anything left over). Sometimes other
Yes, some people don't like the slightest trace left behind. But, for the novice user, the PLIST files are not a big deal. They don't take-up much space, and are not worth accidentally deleting the wrong file for a novice.
files are left (cache folders and application
folders) that need to be removed too.
Fortunately, that is done quite easily by running maintenance programs like OnyX that clear out the caches:
http://www.titanium.free.fr/pgs/english.html
I used to do it all manually (using spotlight
search), but recently found AppZapper
(http://appzapper.com/) and use that. Worth every
penny and does a great job clearly everything out.
Never used that program. It sounds convenient. But, I'm a bit cheap. I won't pay for anything I can do for free
But moving the program to the trash does "uninstall"
the program. However some large ones (like Adobe
Photoshop and Dreamweaver) install things all over
your system, so just deleting them from Applications
wont remove everything.
Yes, there is the occasional program like that. I'm happy to say that they are the minority. I don't like programs that scatter stuff about.

Who to uninstall programs on MacBook pro

who to uninstall programs on MacBook pro

The computer's Admin user installs and uninstalls software.
Uninstalling Software: The Basics
Most OS X applications are completely self-contained "packages" that can be uninstalled by simply dragging the application to the Trash. Applications may create preference files that are stored in the /Home/Library/Preferences/ folder. Although they do nothing once you delete the associated application, they do take up some disk space. If you want you can look for them in the above location and delete them, too.
Some applications may install an uninstaller program that can be used to remove the application. In some cases the uninstaller may be part of the application's installer, and is invoked by clicking on a Customize button that will appear during the install process.
Some applications may install components in the /Home/Library/Applications Support/ folder. You can also check there to see if the application has created a folder. You can also delete the folder that's in the Applications Support folder. Again, they don't do anything but take up disk space once the application is trashed.
Some applications may install a startupitem or a Log In item. Startupitems are usually installed in the /Library/StartupItems/ folder and less often in the /Home/Library/StartupItems/ folder. Log In Items are set in the Accounts preferences. Open System Preferences, click on the Accounts icon, then click on the LogIn Items tab. Locate the item in the list for the application you want to remove and click on the "-" button to delete it from the list.
Some software use startup daemons or agents that are a new feature of the OS. Look for them in /Library/LaunchAgents/ and /Library/LaunchDaemons/ or in /Home/Library/LaunchAgents/.
If an application installs any other files the best way to track them down is to do a Finder search using the application name or the developer name as the search term. Unfortunately Spotlight will not look in certain folders by default. You can modify Spotlight's behavior or use a third-party search utility, EasyFind, instead.
Some applications install a receipt in the /Library/Receipts/ folder. Usually with the same name as the program or the developer. The item generally has a ".pkg" extension. Be sure you also delete this item as some programs use it to determine if it's already installed.
There are many utilities that can uninstall applications. Here is a selection:
    1. AppZapper 2.0.1
    2. AppDelete 3.2.6
    3. Automaton 1.50
    4. Hazel
    5. AppCleaner 2.1.0
    6. CleanApp
    7. iTrash 1.8.2
    8. Amnesia
    9. Uninstaller 1.15.1
10. Spring Cleaning 11.0.1
For more information visit The XLab FAQs and read the FAQ on removing software.

Best Way to Uninstall Programs

Scenario:
*Ordered a game online and before it got here I downloaded the demo to it. I want to make sure it is completely uninstalled (the demo).*
I am very confused on how to uninstall on Macs.
Do I find it in Finder and drag all related files to the Trash and hit Empty, or is there an Uninstall Program feature like on my former OS WinXP?
I asked in a different forum but still a little confused. Thanks. I like to try to conserve space so I do not like un-needed files floating about.

Your welcome. Just thought you would like to check these out to. AppZapper and AppDelete are very good programs to help do this. Thanks for the it is appreciated. Have a happy holiday and a great New Year!

Properly uninstalling programs and apps?

just wondering if uninstalling programs and apps rquire further delving into subfolders and drives...?

MaggyPie wrote:
Most residual files will be in ~/Library/Application Support/
If by 'most' you don't include any Apple Apps (Final Cut, DVD SP, iWork, iPhoto, Garageband, Logic) or Adobe apps or Virtualbox or anything with an installer …
A lot of apps also save files to /Library/Application Support or worse subfolders of /Library. It's not really somewhere a novice should be looking for files to delete.
Arthur's probably right about AppZapper, so long as you don't use it as a tool to 'free up some space'.

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Uninstalling Software: The Basics
Most OS X applications are completely self-contained "packages" that can be uninstalled by simply dragging the application to the Trash. Applications may create preference files that are stored in the /Home/Library/Preferences/ folder. Although they do nothing once you delete the associated application, they do take up some disk space. If you want you can look for them in the above location and delete them, too.
Some applications may install an uninstaller program that can be used to remove the application. In some cases the uninstaller may be part of the application's installer, and is invoked by clicking on a Customize button that will appear during the install process.
Some applications may install components in the /Home/Library/Applications Support/ folder. You can also check there to see if the application has created a folder. You can also delete the folder that's in the Applications Support folder. Again, they don't do anything but take up disk space once the application is trashed.
Some applications may install a startupitem or a Log In item. Startupitems are usually installed in the /Library/StartupItems/ folder and less often in the /Home/Library/StartupItems/ folder. Log In Items are set in the Accounts preferences. Open System Preferences, click on the Accounts icon, then click on the LogIn Items tab. Locate the item in the list for the application you want to remove and click on the "-" button to delete it from the list.
Some software use startup daemons or agents that are a new feature of the OS. Look for them in /Library/LaunchAgents/ and /Library/LaunchDaemons/ or in /Home/Library/LaunchAgents/.
If an application installs any other files the best way to track them down is to do a Finder search using the application name or the developer name as the search term. Unfortunately Spotlight will not look in certain folders by default. You can modify Spotlight's behavior or use a third-party search utility, EasyFind, instead.
Some applications install a receipt in the /Library/Receipts/ folder. Usually with the same name as the program or the developer. The item generally has a ".pkg" extension. Be sure you also delete this item as some programs use it to determine if it's already installed.
There are many utilities that can uninstall applications. Here is a selection:
    1. AppZapper 2.0.1
    2. AppDelete 3.2.6
    3. Automaton 1.50
    4. Hazel
    5. AppCleaner 2.1.0
    6. CleanApp
    7. iTrash 1.8.2
    8. Amnesia
    9. Uninstaller 1.15.1
10. Spring Cleaning 11.0.1
For more information visit The XLab FAQs and read the FAQ on removing software.

Using terminal to uninstall program

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Acrobat User Data          Favorites                    Printers
Address Book Plug-Ins          FontCollections                    PubSub
Application Support Fonts                              Receipts
Assistants                    Icons                              Recent Servers
Audio                              Input Methods                    Safari
Autosave Information          Internet Plug-Ins          Saved Searches
Caches                              Keyboard Layouts          Screen Savers
Calendars                    Keychains                    Sounds
ColorPickers                    LaunchAgents                    Spelling
ColorSync                    Logs                              Voices
Colors                              Mail                              iMovie
Compositions                    Mail Downloads                    iTunes
Cookies                              PreferencePanes
Documentation                    Preferences
Macintosh-3:Library Melissa$ cd Application Support
-bash: cd: Application: No such file or directory

I've downloaded CS6 Master Collection but only see The Photoshop icon. I can't seem to find the other programs, except on "uninstall programs" How do I open and run the others?

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Uninstalling programs

How do I uninstall programs? I have to do it manually, right?

NoOneImportant wrote:I asked because I attempted to uninstall audacious using #pacman -R audacious and it didn't work.
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Hello, how are you.
I'm a new mac user... and I have a doubt. If anybody knows, please answer me as soon as you read this. Is very important. How can I uninstall programs or applications from my mac?
Somebody talks me that I had to remove the archives from my mac. But, I don't know if "really" I'm uninstalling the program.
Please... I hope an answer!
Thank you, very much.

In MacOS X you can delete most applications by simply
dragging their icon to the trash (and ofcourse empty
the trash afterwards). Very few application do have
an uninstall application or offer an uninstall
feature in the original installer.
Trashing is one way to remove files, but it can, in the case of complicated applications that write to folders outside of their own application folder, not completely remove all the files associated with the application, this can be viewed/ termed as a "dirty uninstall".
For applications check if there is an uninstall option with the installstaller program for the application (in the case of MS Office theirs is a separate utility called "Remove Office" for this sole purpose). If a deinstallation option for the application is not present "dirty deinstallation" can be avoided by using a third-party application to do the job properly (e.g. springcleaning from Allume: http://www.allume.com/mac/springcleaning/ ).

Uninstalling Programs & Freeing Space

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