If you are a newbie to the Mac system and a little confused about how to delete or uninstall some wanted apps, don’t worry. There is a solution. Sometimes, these stubborn apps get the best of us into trouble in removing them. In this article, you’ll learn some methods to uninstall or delete these Mac applications.
How To Uninstall or Delete Software Applications Using the Applications Folder?
Method 1: Uninstall or Delete Programs Using Applications Folder
When deleting or uninstalling apps on Mac, after adopting NeXT OS in 2001, Apple introduced Mac OS X and maintained to separate user’s working area from system files like UNIX.
So, in Mac, all the programs or software apps are stored in the Applications directory, and how a user can configure that app is stored in “~/Library/Preferences.”
Furthermore, you’ll also find some supporting files stored in “~/Library/Application Support.”
You’ll see bundles of files stuffed together in the Applications folder. These files can be moved to other locations as well. Drag and drop the application into Trash when deleting or uninstalling the app. As simple as that. But, you must log in to your Mac as an administrator to delete or uninstall the apps to Trash. If not, it will ask for an administrator password.
If you are sure you’ll not require these applications again, you can empty the Trash. This will help free up the disk space. To empty the Trash can, right-click on the icon and choose empty trash to confirm it by clicking Empty Trash.
You can even use keyboard shortcuts to empty the Trash—Press ‘Command+Shift+Delete’ or ‘Command+Shift+Option+Delete’ to empty the Trash immediately without being prompted for confirmation.
Note: If you have accidentally erased other essential files and folders from Mac Trash. Refer to this article to learn how to recover files that were deleted from Mac Trash.
Method 2: Uninstall or Delete Programs Using Preferences
Even though you have deleted them, they may remain on the system's hard drive. You can delete the preferences of those applications from the Library Folder. Usually, the Library folder is hidden; to make it appear, hold the Option button and click Go. You should be able to see the Library folder in the Menu. Please search for the particular app by its name in the ~/Library/Application Support and ~/Library/Preferences folders. Right-click on the app, select Move to Trash, and empty the Trash too.
Method 3: Other Ways to Uninstall or Delete Applications From Mac
The apps you installed from the App Store can be deleted or uninstalled from the Launchpad. You must follow the procedure mentioned above for all other programs.
Press and hold the app’s icon until it starts wiggling, and you’ll see an X mark on the left top corner of the app (you can see this only on the apps purchased from the App Store). Click on the X mark; you’ll be prompted to confirm the deletion. Once confirmed, the program will end up in Trash. And you know the process of emptying the Trash.
Conclusion
Uninstalling or deleting applications from a Mac is easy if you follow the methods correctly. If by any chance you deleted the wrong folder, which contained important documents, and wondering data can be recovered from MacBook Pro, Mac Mini, or any Mac device, fret not. You can easily retrieve all your deleted data from your Mac in just a few clicks using specialized tools like Remo Mac File Recovery Software.
