How to Uninstall Software From a Macintosh Computer

By eHow Computers Editor

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Macs are the favorite computer platforms of many, especially those in the design, graphics and multimedia industries. Whether you're a first-time or seasoned Mac user, a time will likely arise when you'll need to uninstall a program or two. Even if you're a PC user and not familiar with the Mac environment, you can learn to uninstall software from an Apple Macintosh Computer.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Step1
Make sure the Mac computer is on, and close all programs. Locate your hard drive icon on the desktop. Generic, non-personalized systems will simply say "Macintosh HD" by the icon; however, if the user or owner has personalized their Mac's space, it may have a different name. Regardless, the icon looks the same: it appears as a small, silver metal rectangle that resembles a piece of computer hardware.
Step2
Click on the "Applications" folder once you're viewing the contents of the Mac's hard drive. The Applications folder holds all programs that have been installed on the machine.
Step3
Scan the list of available applications to see find the one(s) you seek to uninstall. There are two ways to uninstall the program once you've located it. One option is clicking while holding the Ctrl key once to select the file, a small menu will pop up. Select "Move to Trash". A second option is to locate the file in the Applications folder, select it, and drag it to the Trash on the desktop.
Step4
Ensure that you've removed all files associated with the program, in case they all weren't located in the Applications folder. Use Ctrl + F and use the appropriate keywords to search the name of the program. Any findings will disclose the location of the associated files. Located each file in the designated folder, and delete.
Step5
Know that you can also install and uninstall programs on a Mac using an actual program called an installer. Recommendations for the best such program, including directions for installing and uninstalling, can be found online.

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gavjenks said

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on 4/12/2008 hi, i have just bought a macbook and am currently using Leopard OS X Ver. 10.5.2 and need to change to Tiger. I`ve tried trashing the memory but it can`t trash locked items. any help would be great. Gav

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eHow Article:  How to Uninstall Software From a Macintosh Computer

eHow Computers Editor

eHow Computers Editor

Category: Computers

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