Jul062012

How can I properly remove an app installed on my Mac without damaging another installed version?

Kesigan Marimuthu asks:

I’m a Windows user who recently got an iMac. Still learning the basics and I managed to install a free version of an app online and then got the fully paid for version from the app store. Now both versions show in my Launchpad.

The basic feeling I get from reading about deleting Mac Apps is to drag the app to the trash and then search the system for other related files and remove those too.

My concern is that if I delete the free version, I could affect the files in the full version. Any suggestions? Is there no App Management Program similar the built-in Uninstall that Windows comes with?


Browser: Safari 5.1
System: Mac
Tagged: ,

Comments for this Question are closed.

If you are looking for help, please ask a new question here.

We will be happy to help you!

6 Answers -

0 votes

Mike

July 6, 2012

There are apps which assist you in removal of applications and their associated files.
http://www.freemacsoft.net/appcleaner/

However using one of those might lead to the thing you are trying to avoid.

In your case all you have to do is go into the Applications folder and identify the free version of the app. Just drag it into the trash and DON’T look for other related files.

Since you bought the app on the Mac App Store it wouldn’t even matter if you remove both with all associated files. The Mac App Store allows you to download previously purchased apps again (and again).

0 votes

Kesigan Marimuthu

July 8, 2012

Thanks Mike! I removed both and then reinstalled from the app store. Works perfectly so far!

0 votes

Ben Mordecai

August 25, 2012

Appcleaner is the best answer. Uninstall with Appcleaner, then install the update. Most Mac software will handle updates automatically and you won’t need to do that.

0 votes

VictorGeis

August 26, 2012

AppCleaner is one of my favorite apps. It’s a simple drag and drop and it finds associated files to that application which you can then select (or unselect) to trash along with the chosen app.

0 votes

Gabriel Avila

September 12, 2012

yes with mackeeper just look up a torrent for it and it’s free

0 votes

Theo Reisinger

October 8, 2012

Appcleaner is probably your best option. It’s super simple and it’ll clean out those other random files your don’t need anymore