Removing old apps that you aren’t using anymore can help you keep your Mac running like new. This is especially important if you have a malicious app that is causing your problems. Here are several ways to uninstall apps on your Mac, and how to completely remove any of the program’s orphan files. Show
How to Uninstall Apps on a Mac Using TrashOne of the easiest ways to uninstall an app on your Mac is by dragging it from the Applications folder to the Trash in your Dock. Then right-click the Trash icon and select Empty Trash.
Note: Only the app itself will be uninstalled by dragging it to the trash. While the orphan files that would be left behind are usually tiny, some of them can contain malicious software. How to Uninstall Apps On a Mac Using 3rd-Party UninstallersIf you want to completely uninstall an app on your Mac, including any orphan files, you can use a 3rd-party uninstaller like App Cleaner. Just download, install, and launch the app. Then drag an app into the AppCleanerwindow and click Remove. Note: To make things easier, these steps apply to the AppCleaner program, but there are lots of other 3rd-party uninstallers available.
How to Uninstall Apps on a Mac Using an App UninstallerSome apps come with their own uninstallers. It is recommended that you use the uninstaller tool that came with the application in order to make the uninstallation process safer.
How to Uninstall on a Mac Using the LaunchpadTo uninstall apps you downloaded from the App Store, open the Launchpad app in your Applications folder. Then click and hold the app you want to uninstall. Finally, click the “X” that appears and select Delete to confirm.
If you are still not able to uninstall certain apps on your Mac, it might be a virus. Check out our guide on how to remove malware from your Mac to find out more. How do I remove an app from my Mac desktop without deleting it?Deleting a Shortcut on Mac
Go to “Finder” and then “Preferences,” and you'll be presented with a list under “Show these items on the desktop.” Check the options – hard discs or external discs, for example – to display on the desktop or uncheck them to remove them from the desktop.
How do I remove icons from my Mac desktop?Just drag the icons from the desktop to another folder for removal. Alternatively, you can drag the unwanted icons to Trash to remove them.
How do I completely remove an app from my desktop?In the search box on the taskbar, type Control Panel and select it from the results. Select Programs > Programs and Features. Press and hold (or right-click) on the program you want to remove and select Uninstall or Uninstall/Change.
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