How To Uninstall Apps From Mac Desktop

Apple unveils a new MacBook Air during an Apple launch event at the Brooklyn Academy of Music on Oct. 30, 2018 in New York City. Stephanie Keith/Getty Images

Removing programs from a Macintosh can be very easy. In many cases, all you have to do is drag the application's icon to the Trash. Sometimes, though, applications store the files they need to run in other locations on your computer's hard drive, and finding them can take some detective work. If you are used to the uninstall option in Windows, you have a little culture shock — macOS does not have this feature built in.

It is generally believed that uninstalling software on Mac OS X is simple and straightforward - you can just remove apps from the Applications folder; or drag-n-drop a program to Trash; for the application downloaded from App Store, you can directly uninstall it from LaunchPad. Mac OS Trash function could help you to remove the main executable file of uTorrent from the Mac. It is one of the most effective ways to uninstall uTorrent from the Mac. Please click on the “Go” tab from the top main menu and select “Applications” from the list available. The way to install app programs on a Mac is versatile. For example, you can buy and download apps programs from Apple App Store, install apps from a disc, or install third party software downloaded directly from developer homepage (Make sure the app you try to install is from an unidentified developer). Option 1: Uninstall Loom. On your Mac, click the Finder icon in the Dock, then click Applications. Find Loom, then drag it from the Applications folder to the Trash (at the end of your Dock) Option 2: Manually uninstall Loom. How to manually uninstall apps on a Mac computer Uninstall apps using Launchpad. Click “Launchpad” in your Dock and find the app you wish to delete. How to uninstall on Mac by using the Launchpad? It's easy and this manual method works like this: Click Launchpad icon in your Mac's Dock. Find the app you want to delete. Click and hold the app until it starts shaking. Click X in the top-left corner of the app icon. This will uninstall the app from your Mac.

Why would you want to uninstall a program? For the same reason you occasionally tidy your office or clean your garage. Clutter breeds inefficiency. Applications take up space on your hard disk and can slow your computer. Also, a new version of a program may not work correctly unless you get rid of the old one [source: Ritchie].

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Most of the time, uninstalling is this simple:

  1. Exit the program you want to delete.
  2. Open the Applications folder, which you'll find by opening a new window in the Finder, or clicking on the hard disk icon.
  3. Drag the icon of the program you want to uninstall to the Trash.
  4. Empty the Trash.

When files for the application you want to delete are all stored in one location, dragging the icon to the Trash will take care of most of the work. In Mac talk, apps like this are 'bundled.' To see the files in an application's bundle, click on its icon while holding down the Control key. You should see an option that says, 'show package contents.' Uninstalling applications downloaded from the Mac App Store is even easier — just delete the application from the Applications Folder and its accompanying folder in UserLibraryContainers [source: Tanous].

For some other programs, removal is more complicated. When installed, these programs create files in several locations, often in the System Folder. The first step in removing them is to check the program's documentation to see if there is an uninstall utility. If your program has an uninstall utility associated with it, it may have been installed with the program or included on the disk that came with it. If you downloaded a disk image to install the software, sometimes you'll find an uninstaller there. Running an uninstall utility can make removing a program much easier.

You should be aware that removing an unbundled program by moving it into the Trash can leave behind orphan files on your computer. Preferencefiles are usually small and you might want to ignore them if you're just trying to free up disk space. Background files or support files can be larger, especially for multimedia programs like GarageBand [source: MacRumors]. These files are likely to reside in Library folders in your hard drive or Home folder. They will usually be labeled with the name of the program, like Office or Acrobat, or the developer, such as Microsoft or Adobe. You can search for the relevant names using Spotlight, which is included with the Mac OS. Drag the files you find to the trash to get rid of them [source: Tanous]. .

Check out the next page for tips to make your uninstallation go even more smoothly.

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If searching through obscure corners of your computer for what could be hundreds of files sounds like something a machine could do better than you, you're right. There are plenty of software programs that do just that. They're usually your best bet for really cleaning an app off your Mac, and some of them are free. Popular examples include AppTrap, Appcleaner, and AppZapper.

Some of the files that a program might create on your hard disk are invisible. It may be tempting, especially for neat freaks, to find and delete these files. But some files are deliberately hidden because they are essential to the computer's operating system. Deleting the wrong file could land you in deep trouble [source: Landau]. The best advice is not to go where even experienced techies fear to tread. Uninstall utilities can search out and destroy these files, but doing so on your own invites trouble.

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Another important thing to do is empty your Trash when you're finished uninstalling. Moving a program's icon to the Trash doesn't actually remove the files from your hard disk or clear up any space. Only when you empty the Trash is the application really gone.

Here are some other important tips:

  • When you install a program, check to see how to uninstall it. Make a note if it has its own uninstall utility or instructions.
  • Before you begin any uninstalling process, check to make sure your Trash is empty or contains nothing you might want to save.
  • Log on as your computer's administrator whenever you uninstall. If you're uninstalling at work and don't have administrator privileges, you'll have to consult with your tech people [source: Ritchie].
  • If you opt for a third-party uninstall utility, look at the features. Some developers charge for their software, but you may not need the bells and whistles. Free utilities may work fine.
  • It often makes sense to leave preference files alone. If you ever reinstall the same software, you won't have to set the preferences.
  • Suites of software from a developer, such as the Office suite from Microsoft, often share files. Removing the files of one component may affect the others, so it's good to be cautious with these [source: The X Lab].
  • If, after you remove a program, the icon is still in your dock, you can get rid of it by simply dragging it off the dock and letting it go [source: Tech-FAQ].

Removing software from your Mac is a lot less of a hassle than cleaning your office or garage. But clearing away computer clutter and making space on your hard disk can be just as satisfying.

Originally Published: Aug 8, 2011

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Sources

  • Landau, Ted. 'Tutorial: Now you see 'em, now you don't: Invisible files in Mac OS X,' cnet.com, May 19, 2004. (Feb. 14, 2019) https://www.cnet.com/news/tutorial-now-you-see-em-now-you-dont-invisible-files-in-mac-os-x/
  • FacRumors. 'Uninstalling Applications in Mac OS X,' MacRumors.com. (Feb. 16, 2019) https://web.archive.org/web/20170715163609/http://guides.macrumors.com/Uninstalling_Applications_in_Mac_OS_Xp
  • Ritchie, David. 'How to Uninstall Mac Programs,' TheMacLawyer.com. October 13, 2010. (Feb. 16, 2019) http://www.themaclawyer.com/2010/10/articles/guest-posts/guest-post-how-to-uninstall-mac-programs/
  • Tanous, Jim. 'How to Uninstall & Remove Mac OS X Programs and Applications,' The Mac Observer. Feb. 1, 2013. (Feb. 16, 2019) https://www.macobserver.com/tmo/answers/how-to-uninstall-remove-mac-os-x-programs-and-applications
  • Tech-FAQ. 'How to Uninstall Programs on a Mac,' Tech-FAQ.com. (Feb. 16, 2019) http://www.tech-faq.com/how-to-uninstall-programs-on-a-mac.html
  • The X Lab. 'Uninstalling applications,' TheXLab.com. (Feb. 16, 2019) http://www.thexlab.com/faqs/uninstallingapps.html

If you rush to drag the Adobe programs to Trash, you might fail to uninstall Adobe on Mac or trigger error message. Why? Make sure you have quitted the program from the Dock and Activity Monitor. Moreover, you also need to clean up all the service files, such as caches, logs and other debris still remains on your Mac to completely uninstall Adobe on Mac.

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The article shares the methods to uninstall Creative Cloud, Adobe Flash Player, Acrobat Player, and Photoshop completely from your Mac. Besides the complicated processes, Apeaksoft Mac Cleaner is the ultimate method to uninstall Adobe on Mac within clicks.

Part 1: The Ultimate Method to Uninstall Adobe on Mac

Apeaksoft Mac Cleaner is the versatile Adobe uninstaller on Mac. Whether you need to uninstall Adobe applications with ease, or cannot uninstall the files, it is able to have a quick scan, locate and identify files and unneeded clutter on your Mac within one click.

  • 1. Uninstall Adobe applications, caches, logs and others within one click.
  • 2. Monitor the system performance and keep the Mac in a good state.
  • 3. Remove any funk file, old & large file, clutter, shred files and more others.
  • 4. Ensure 100% security and speed up the Mac system with ease.

Step 1Download and install Mac Cleaner
Just download and install Apeaksoft Mac Cleaner, launch the program on your Mac. Choose the “ToolKit” menu from the user interface of the program to scan for the installed Adobe applications, such as Adobe Cloud Creative, Flash Player, Adobe Reader and more.

Step 2Scan the Adobe applications on Mac
Click the “Scan” button to scan the Adobe applications as well as the related cache/log and other files on your Mac. It might take a period of time to scan all the files on your Mac computer. Click the “Rescan” button if the files are not available.

Step 3Locate and check the Adobe Application
Click the “View” button, you can check out the scanned applications for Adobe. It includes all the information, such as installer, plist files as well as the others. Of course, you can also enter the name of the Adobe application you want to uninstall from your Mac.

Step 4Uninstall Adobe application on Mac
Once you have selected all the Adobe application as well as the cache files, you can click the “Clean” button to uninstall Adobe application on your Mac. It will clean up all the files that will not cause the compatibility issues even if you have a reinstallation.

Part 2: How to Uninstall Adobe Creative Cloud on Mac

Adobe Creative Cloud on Mac enables you to install the other Adobe programs. In order to uninstall Adobe Creative Cloud on Mac, you have to make sure you don’t have specific programs installed from Creative Studio. Then you can follow the method to uninstall Adobe on Mac as below.

Step 1Quit the Creative Cloud app manager on Mac. Locate the Adobe Creative Cloud in the Menu Bar, right click the app and choose the “Quit” option.

Step 2Locate the uninstaller with the following path: Macintosh HD/Applications/Adobe Creative Cloud/Uninstall Adobe Creative Cloud. Just search for the uninstaller if above location is not available.

Step 3Click the “Creative Cloud Uninstaller” app to uninstall Adobe Creative Cloud on your Mac. Click the “Uninstall” button and enter the administrator password of your Mac to remove the Adobe program.

Step 4In order to remove the leftovers, you can delete service files with the following folder: Adobe Application Manager, Adobe Creative Cloud, Adobe Creative Experience, Adobe Installers, Adobe Sync.

Part 3: How to Uninstall Adobe Flash Player on Mac

Adobe Flash Player is different from the other Adobe programs, which is not displayed on Launchpad or in any folder in the Applications. Instead, you should remove the Adobe Flash Player from System Preference Panes. Here is the detailed process to uninstall Adobe Flash Player on Mac.

Step 1Go to the “System Preferences” on your Mac and locate the “Flash Player” in the bottom. Right click the Flash Player and select the Remove “Flash Player” Preference Pane.

Step 2Open the Finder and go to the Library folder. Locate the following directory: ~Library/PreferencePanes. You can remove the Flash Player subfolder to uninstall Mac Adobe Flash Player in the PreferencePanes folder.

Part 4: How to Uninstall Adobe Acrobat Reader on Mac

Adobe Acrobat Reader on Mac is also available in the Applications. You can follow the similar method to uninstall Adobe Acrobat Reader on Mac. Besides, you should also remove the service files; caches, logs and other debris still remain on your Mac.

Step 1Go to the “Applications” folder in the Finder. Locate the app and remove the Adobe Reader application to the Trash. After that, you can empty the app within the Trash.

Step 2In order to uninstall Adobe Acrobat Reader on Mac completely, you have to remove the caches, logs and more other leftovers that still remain on your Mac.

~/Library/Application Support/Adobe

~/Library/Caches/Adobe

~/Library/Saved Application State/com.adobe.Reader.savedState

How To Uninstall Apps From Mac Desktop App

~/Library/Caches/com.adobe.Reader

/what-is-the-best-radio-app-for-mac.html. ~/Library/Caches/com.adobe.InstallAdobeAcrobatReaderDC

~/Library/Preferences/Adobe

~/Library/Preferences/com.adobe.Reader.plist

How To Delete Apps On Mac

~/Library/Preferences/com.adobe.AdobeRdrCEFHelper.plist

~/Library/Logs/Adobe_ADMLogs

Uninstall For Mac

~/Library/Logs/Adobe

~/Library/Cookies/com.adobe.InstallAdobeAcrobatReaderDC.binarycookies

Part 5: How to Uninstall Adobe Photoshop on Mac

When you are using Photoshop CC, you have to remove the Adobe Creative Cloud service beforehand. As for Photoshop CS4/CS5/CS6 or Photoshop Elements as the standalone version, you can find the detailed process to uninstall Adobe Photoshop CS5 on Mac as below.

Step 1Go to the following path to remove Adobe Photoshop CS5 via the “Uninstall Adobe Photoshop CS5”. You might also find some unreadable name there. Macintosh HD/Applications/Utilities/Adobe Installers/

Step 2Launch the uninstaller and you can enter the administrator password. Check the “Remove Preferences” if you want to uninstall the Adobe Photoshop CS5 on Mac completely.

Step 3Locate and delete the Adobe Installers and Adobe Utilities with the following path. If you still need the other Adobe Photoshop programs, you should keep them in the folder.
Macintosh HD / Applications / Utilities

How To Uninstall Apps From Mac Desktop Windows 10

Conclusion

How To Uninstall Apps From Mac Desktop Computer

What are the best methods to uninstall Adobe programs on the Mac? The article shares the methods to remove the Adobe installers as well as the caches. Make sure all the files are cleaned up in order to avoid the compatibility issues. Of course, you can also use the ultimate Adobe uninstaller tool on Mac to clear the Adobe completely.