Preferential Treatment for Mac

Used Preferential Treatment for Mac?

Preferential Treatment Analysis

AI Assisted Content · June 11, 2026

Not written by CNET Staff.

Preferential Treatment is a utility designed for Mac users to identify and manage corrupt preferences files. This application simplifies the process of using the command line tool 'plutil' by offering an intuitive graphical interface. Users can easily browse their system for corrupt files, with the application parsing results to highlight specific issues and their locations. This functionality makes it accessible for those who may be uncomfortable using Terminal commands.

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Once corrupt files are identified, Preferential Treatment allows users to delete them directly within the interface, streamlining the cleanup process. Additionally, it provides options to save scan reports for future reference. While the absence of readme files may pose a minor inconvenience, the application's straightforward design ensures that users can effectively manage their preference files without extensive technical knowledge.

Preferential Treatment for Mac

Used Preferential Treatment for Mac?

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Full Specifications

GENERAL

Release: November 6, 2007

Latest update: June 11, 2026

Version: 1.1.8

OPERATING SYSTEMS

Platform: Mac

Operating System

Mac OS X 10.3
Mac OS X
Mac OS X 10.4
Mac OS X 10.3.9
Mac OS X 10.5
Mac OS X 10.2

Additional Requirements: Mac OS X 10.2 or higher

POPULARITY

Total Downloads: 4,892

Downloads Last Week: 0

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Last Updated

User Reviews

4.2/5

14 User Votes

Still doesn't work for me under system 10.5
Rockwell11July 23, 2011
Pros
small fast loader
Cons
crashes on startup
Summary
I've deleted it from my computer.
Doesn't find bad preferences, only corrupted
MWPollardMay 2, 2010
Pros
Catches corrupted preference files. The program doesn't crash itself or your computer.
Cons
Confusing, few directions. The program doesn't find bad preferences, just corrupted files. Preferences can be problematic without actually being corrupted. Unless the file is actually invalid XML, this program will not catch it.
Summary
First, the program is confusing. There are no real directions. You drop the program icon on the icon for a Launch as Administrator script, since the program cannot do this itself. The script runs in a console session, which will be confusing for most Mac users, and requires your administrative password in that session. More to the issues of this program, The program doesn't find bad preferences, just corrupted files. Preferences can be problematic without actually being corrupted. Unless the file is actually invalid XML, this program will not catch it.
Not sure it really finds "bad" preference files.
w t sJanuary 16, 2010
Pros
I reserve my opinion on the value/pros of this programme.
Cons
In a lightning speed review it came up with a problem but did not show that problem in the listing.
Summary
I am somewhat skeptical that this application works with late 2009 edition of Mac Intel's. I ran PT to check and it found no problems although there were. When I trashed what i was sure was a bad preference all was OK with the application.
Great App!
JD_1October 30, 2006
Pros
Cons
Summary
This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com.<br />This is a great little app that does exactly what it says it will do. Part of my regular maintenance routine. Thanks for keeping this app current and making it free! Well worth donating a few $ to!
Supurb customer support
mtconNovember 3, 2005
Pros
Cons
Summary
This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com.<br />Installed 1.1.5 & received an error msg when scanning user preferences. Had used V1.1.4 previously. e-mailed Jon Nathan & received an immediate reply saying he would check it out. About 2 hours lated received another e-mail stating an inadvertenterror was introduce in 1.1.5 & would be corrected in 1.1.6 in a couple hours. v1.1.6 did correct the problem. Talk about fast response & it's an excellent program as well. Highly recommended.
1.1.4 works fine, both for system and user prefs.
Edwin-schemerMay 11, 2005
Pros
Cons
Summary
This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com.<br />If you click on the lock it prompts you for the administrator password, and then does what it promises. Thnaks for the update!
Put My Mind At Ease
big_banana_3October 17, 2004
Pros
Cons
Summary
This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com.<br />Great and simple little package that really put my mind at ease. Highly recommended for users who have too many applications on their Powermac like me and never know what's going on with their preferences files. Get it now and sleep easier..........
Support & App Simply Rock!
jreffnerAugust 20, 2004
Pros
Cons
Summary
This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com.<br />I had a warning pop up that the script had changed so I emailed Jon. Within minutes he emailed me back and told me what to do. I sent him more info and he immediately sent back an explanation (it was my fault as I suspected). I thanked him and sent some cash to further his cause. PT is a great app with even greater support. Support him too please if you use it.
Elegant Donate-Ware with superb tech support
nnagerAugust 20, 2004
Pros
Cons
Summary
This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com.<br />I respect what the author has done to strengthen security on this elegant program and saw it evidenced when the updated version alerted me to a minor change I had made in the script in the previous version. I did, however, leave the warning sit on my desktop while I attended to other things; too long because it timed out. I dropped a note to the author who responded a few minutes later: "Sorry for any confusion this might have caused. Thanks for the notice about the timeout, I assumed people would just dismiss the dialog rather quickly. I'll add an error trap to catch a longer timeout for these dialogs." Thank you very much, Mr. Nathan, for your superb responsiveness. You listen, really listen, to users of your donate-ware, as I've witnessed in the improvements you've made in your several versions.
Have you ever noticed...
rmortonApril 6, 2004
Pros
Cons
Summary
This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com.<br />Have you ever noticed how great support is from I am assuming relatively small developers. I basically do not have a standard setup. I run as a regular user, but I am in the sudoers file. All this means is that I can run AppleScript Studio products that require me to be there, but I have to authenticate for just about everything. The author and I emailed back and forth for about a half a day before he enhanced the product so that I could use it without being an administrator. All of this while getting paid the huge $0 for his time. Does what it says, and seems to work great and has great support. Is there a downside somewhere, because I can not see it.

Developer’s Description

checks preference files for corruption