Comments on: New Reviews: The Mac uninstallers

Not every Mac app is a winner. Sometimes we download programs that either are too buggy or just don't do the job we need them to. With this group of freshly reviewed apps, you'll be able to get programs all their associated files off your hard drive.

Add a Comment (Log in or register) (13 Comments)


by b_baggins July 25, 2008 9:00 AM PDT: OS X is not Windows.

99% of the time the files scattered all over the place, are actually put in your home/library folder and don't bother anything or anybody, unlike tangled spaghetti registry entries which can hose an entire Windows system.

In other words, it doesn't matter if you leave the files there unless you're the kind of person who want to save 500k of space on your 250GB hard drive.; Like this Reply to this comment

by jparker July 25, 2008 12:12 PM PDT

I see what you're saying b_baggins, but if you're going to uninstall the app, doesn't it make sense to uninstall it completely? That's great if the extra files don't hurt your system, but why not get rid of them if you're never going to use them?

Like this Reply to this comment


by b_baggins July 28, 2008 7:23 AM PDT: No reason at all. Except that these tools usually cost money.; Like this


by cybercuz2 July 25, 2008 6:45 PM PDT: Just how many of these 4 kb files would I have to delete to make room for one of these programs I'm going to use to delete 4 kb text filebs that do not hurt a thing where they are ?.. They are not registry entries or dll files that might cause a problem with other files and cause a system crash like on a PC....; Like this Reply to this comment


by raw_knee July 27, 2008 4:59 AM PDT: There may be install/remove applications in the control panel in Windows, but the same can be said about them: not all of these completely remove files from your computer.

I'd still prefer the way Mac apps are installed. It's cleaner than how Windows does things. When you drag an app to the application folder, the files are installed there. Combined with an uninstaller menitioned above, the whole install/uninstall process is better than Windows.

I've been using AppTrap for close to a year now. No problems whatsoever.; Like this Reply to this comment

by iertry July 27, 2008 7:09 AM PDT

Also have a look at AppDelete which I use. It seems to do a pretty good job and as far as I remember it's free. Usually I just drag the icon to the trash though.

Like this Reply to this comment


by garybc12 July 28, 2008 1:08 PM PDT: I use AppDelete also. works great on my Mac. :); Like this

by Dalmatian28 July 27, 2008 1:54 PM PDT

Why are this people here so defensive????? The man was trying to show you how clean your junk from computer and you are for what ever reason jumping to defend MAC OS. Nobody said anything about OSX being worst than windows or better than widows, all he wanted to show you is how to avoid piling up unnecessary garbage!!!! Another problem is that some of you need to get your facts straight! Some of the files left after installation are a lot bigger then just 4 kb. (egz. Adobe ) If you use it for couple years...it does add up! When it comes to spelling, anyone that uses Firefox that has been taken care of! Please stop acting like children and fight about which OS is better! They all have advantages and disadvantages. I have Apple notebook but run Vista on my desktop. It is best of the both worlds! My laptop is more mobile, runs two OS. While my desktop is a lot more powerful and faster (overclocked, better video) and runs great. I do tech-support for living and I got to tell you...I receive a lot more calls for OSX per unit than I do for windows. So grow up and realize that they both have advantages as well as disadvantages! How good each of the OS's are depends on what you trying to accomplish! That is why I own both of them!

Like this Reply to this comment


by ebowdish July 28, 2008 5:48 PM PDT: I agree. Mac folk can get so defensive about their precious computers.; Like this


by Pete July 30, 2008 12:52 PM PDT: @Dalmation,
where is the defensiveness? People are just pointing out that the remaining files with present day hard disks are not such an issue anymore be they 4 kb or 40 kb, but if you're a tidy person these apps can be useful albeit not perfect. ALL of them still miss out on picking up crud left behind and will improve over time, what updates and upgrades are supposed to do.
As to Jason's remark:
"On a Windows machine, you can go to the control panel and choose the Add/Remove programs tool to find and uninstall software you don't want. But on a Mac, it's not as easy. When you install on a Mac the process usually involves dragging the software into your Applications folder. What you may not know is other files associated with that program are automatically installed into different folders to make the program work properly. So if you simply drag that app icon to the trash, you're leaving a significant amount of unused files on your hard drive"

Jason is a nice guy and finds almost every software he mentions nice without giving an in-depth review. So, being not easily shaken - and being a Mac and PC user - myself, I even find this remark odd coming from a nice Mac user, when I see how much crap, let alone crud, remains behind in a Windows machine that slows your system down as well, which I have never encountered with my Mac having over 300 (sic) applications on board!
Dumping an app in the trash still beats having to go in the uninstall procedure on a Windows box!; Like this


by anhtney July 28, 2008 3:34 AM PDT: lol :); Like this Reply to this comment


by jake49 July 28, 2008 9:05 AM PDT: why is everyone commenting bagging on each others OS? Mac and Windows are both good... Anyways the method for removing apps worked well on my mac...; Like this Reply to this comment


by Pete July 31, 2008 8:44 AM PDT: @Dalmation,
where is the defensiveness? People are just pointing out that the remaining files with present day hard disks are not such an issue anymore be they 4 kb or 40 kb, but if you're a tidy person these apps can be useful albeit not perfect. ALL of them still miss out on picking up crud left behind and will improve over time, what updates and upgrades are supposed to do.
As to Jason's remark:
"On a Windows machine, you can go to the control panel and choose the Add/Remove programs tool to find and uninstall software you don't want. But on a Mac, it's not as easy. When you install on a Mac the process usually involves dragging the software into your Applications folder. What you may not know is other files associated with that program are automatically installed into different folders to make the program work properly. So if you simply drag that app icon to the trash, you're leaving a significant amount of unused files on your hard drive"

Jason is a nice guy and finds almost every software he mentions nice without giving an in-depth review. So, being not easily shaken - and being a Mac and PC user - myself, I even find this remark odd coming from a nice Mac user, when I see how much crap, let alone crud, remains behind in a Windows machine that slows your system down as well, which I have never encountered with my Mac having over 300 (sic) applications on board!
Dumping an app in the trash still beats having to go in the uninstall procedure on a Windows box!; Like this Reply to this comment