Hi Peter, No real quick reply is possible to explain the difference between uninstalling Windows Applications & OS X Applications. And as I am extremely busy, I'll give a short rundown for you ;-)
Uninstalling applications in Mac OS X is very different than uninstalling in a Microsoft Windows environment because Mac OS X has nothing like the Windows Registry. Few vendors offer uninstallers on the Mac, and generally they’re not necessary. Most programs don’t run background components or alter system settings files (like the Registry on Windows), and leaving old preferences and support files on the hard drive generally doesn’t do much harm. In general, applications in OS X are packaged into a “.app” bundle that appears to be a single file but is actually a self-contained folder. Unlike Windows, in which an application usually installs a folder that contains the executable and supporting files, most of what an OS X app needs to run is stored within the .app bundle (if you’re curious, right-click on any .app file and select “Show Package Contents” to see what’s inside). Deleting an application bundle will remove that application’s binary and all the supporting files contained within. Many apps, however, also install additional files in the user’s Library folder, such as application preferences and caches. As I mentioned above " leaving old preferences and support files on the hard drive generally doesn’t do much harm." Mac App Store Apps: Due to sandboxing requirements imposed by Apple, apps obtained from the Mac App Store are even easier to remove. Simply delete two items: the application file itself from the Applications folder and the application-specific folder in User\Library\Containers. --- I gave instructions to Graham for where the Alfred associated preferences /cache/ Application Support files are located so he can remove them. Not knowing much about Alfred, I felt it is safer to delete these files. Some third party applications include an uninstaller, so it is always better to use the uninstaller that came with the application. There are Mac programs that uninstall third party apps and their associated files - preferences / cache/ Application support files. We have posted information and recommendations of these programs on WAMUG mailing list numerous times. Cheers, Ronni On 29 Aug 2014, at 11:22 am, [email protected] wrote: > Hi Ronni, I have always wondered why there doesn't seem to be a "complete" > solution for deletion of applications. It seems to me I am unaware of a > complete "one-hit" solution which does all the package removal actions, > registry reversion etc. > > In Windows (I have no choice but to use it at my work place), as many may be > aware the Control Panel>Uninstall a Program action is an all inclusive > process. > > Perhaps there is a good reason for this strategy by Apple. > > Any clues to why this is? > > Regards > > Pete.
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