As we continue to download and install applications on our Mac computers, our storage space will gradually decrease. Some of these applications might become obsolete, and it’s important to delete them to create more space on our hard drives. However, deleting applications on Mac is not as straightforward as dragging and dropping them into the trash bin. Therefore, in this blog post, we will discuss various methods you can use to delete downloaded applications on Mac safely.
Video Tutorial:
Why You Need to Delete Downloaded Applications on Mac
There are many reasons why you should delete downloaded applications on Mac. One of the main reasons is to clear disk space on your hard drive. When you download applications, they take up space on your hard drive, and if you do not delete them, they can accumulate and clog up your hard drive, slowing down your computer’s performance. Additionally, deleting apps you no longer use can help you optimize the performance of your Mac computer.
Method 1: Deleting Applications Using Launchpad
Before you delete an application on Mac, it’s important to close it first to avoid any system errors. Here is how to delete downloaded applications on Mac using Launchpad:
1. Click on the Launchpad icon in your dock to open it.
2. Find the application that you want to delete. You can scroll through the list or use the search bar to locate the application.
3. Click and hold the application that you want to delete, until it starts to wiggle.
4. Once the application starts to wiggle, click on the “x” button located in the top-left corner of the application.
5. Confirm that you want to delete the application by clicking on the “Delete” button.
Pros:
– Simple and straightforward method for deleting applications.
– You do not need any technical experience to use this method.
Cons:
– This method does not work for all applications.
– You cannot delete multiple applications at once.
Method 2: Using Finder to Delete Applications
The Finder method provides an efficient way of deleting an application that comes with the installation package. Here’s how to delete apps on Mac using Finder:
1. Open Finder and click on “Applications” in the left-hand sidebar.
2. Locate the application that you want to remove from your computer. You can use the search bar to help find the app.
3. Click once to highlight the application.
4. Click “File” at the top of the screen, then select “Move To Trash” from the dropdown menu that appears.
5. If the application requires a password, enter it before clicking “OK” to confirm the deletion.
Pros:
– You can delete multiple applications at once using this method.
– It works with all applications regardless of their origin.
Cons:
– You may delete the wrong file or subfolder inadvertently, hence rendering the application useless or may affect the system files.
Method 3: Using Terminal To Delete Dowloaded Applications
Terminal provides an efficient and effective way to delete downloaded applications on Mac. Using Terminal ensures that you have completely removed the application files. Here’s how to delete apps on Mac using Terminal:
1. Open Terminal by pressing “Ctrl + Spacebar” and typing Terminal, then pressing enter.
2. Type “cd /Applications/” and press Enter to navigate to your Applications folder.
3. To delete a single application, type “sudo rm -r [application name].app” and press Enter. Replace “[application name]” with the name of the application you want to delete.
4. To delete multiple applications, type “sudo rm -r [application name 1].app [application name 2].app” and press Enter. Replace “[application name 1]” and “[application name 2]” with the names of the applications you want to delete.
5. Enter your administrator password when prompted and press Enter.
Pro:
– This method is effective in removing application files.
– You do not need to install third-party applications.
Cons:
– Terminal is complex and requires technical know-how to use.
– You risk running rm command to delete the wrong file or subfolder, which could damage the os X system.
What to Do If You Can’t Delete Dowloaded Applications on Mac
There are several fixes you can try when you can’t delete downloaded apps on Mac. Here are some of the fixes:
– Check if the app is running: ensure the applications are not open before deleting them. If the app is currently in use; stop the app from the dock or by using the “Activity Monitor.”
– Check if the app or its file is locked: if the app or its files are locked, you will be unable to delete them. Right-click on the application and choose “Get Info.” Navigate to “General” and uncheck the option beside “Locked.”
– Log in as an administrator: log in as an administrator before deleting applications.
– Check if the app was installed from the App Store: If you have apps installed from the App Store, you might not be able to delete them unless they are from third-party sources. Open Launchpad and hold the Option key. The apps that can be deleted will show an “X” while non-deletable apps will not show an “X.”
Bonus Tip: Use Third-Party Apps
There are various third-party apps that you can use to delete downloaded applications on Mac. One of the most popular is CleanMyMacX. The software scans your system for applications and allows you to uninstall them with a single click. CleanMyMacX also cleans up junk files, caches, and other system files that might be taking up space on your hard drive.
5 FAQs on How to Delete Downloaded Applications on Mac
Q1. How do I delete system applications from my Mac?
A: You cannot delete system applications on a Mac as they are part of the OS X system. You can, however, remove the icons for these applications from your Dock to reduce clutter.
Q2. Can I delete applications from the Launchpad without installing additional software?
A: Yes, you can delete applications from the Launchpad without installing any additional software.
Q3. Is it safe to delete downloaded applications on Mac completely?
A: It’s safe to delete downloaded applications as long as you follow the proper methods outlined in this blog post. Ensure that you close the apps before deleting them.
Q4. Can I recover deleted apps on my Mac?
A: Yes, you can recover deleted apps on your Mac as long as you have not emptied your trash folder. Open the trash folder and drag the deleted app back to your applications folder.
Q5. Should I delete preference files when deleting downloaded apps?
A: No, it’s not necessary. Deleting the app will remove all preference files associated with the application.
Final Thoughts
Deleting downloaded apps from your Mac is an important step in optimizing your computer’s performance. By following the methods described above, you can easily and safely delete downloaded applications on Mac and free up valuable disk space. Remember to always ensure that you have closed the app before attempting to delete it and to use appropriate methods to delete the applications to prevent damage to your system.{“@context”:”https://schema.org”,”@type”:”FAQPage”,”mainEntity”:null}
