Deleting applications on Mac Monterey is as simple as dragging them into the trash! But this is not enough to eliminate all traces of their passage and it is preferable to use a specialized tool.
Since the beginning, Apple has been working to make life easier for its users by making its macOS system more and more intuitive. For years now, to delete a useless application on a Mac, you just have to put it in the Recycle Bin and then purge it. In two clicks the job is done, whereas with Windows this basic operation is impossible. With Microsoft’s system, it is necessary to use an uninstaller, supplied with the software or a specialized third-party utility such as CCleaner or Revo Uninstaller for example. This tool removes not only the executable (the .exe file), but also the various shortcuts placed on the Desktop or in the Start menu as well as all the files associated with the software to be removed, in particular the .dll files (for dynamic link library). This procedure is certainly more cumbersome, but also more efficient, and can also be applied to the Mac.
Why use an uninstaller on macOS Monterey?
You might think that on macOS such maneuvers are useless. And yet… When you place a program in the Trash, only the application is deleted. All the links it has created during its use remain anchored in the system, for example plist files (preferences) or aliases (shortcuts). Also, if you have discarded a program for malfunctioning by simply throwing it into the Recycle Bin and then try to reinstall it to try it again, there is a risk that the program will not work.If you try to reinstall it to try again, there is a good chance that it will reuse the preference files left behind by the previous version… and crash again!
To make sure you don’t leave any traces, it’s better to proceed as on Windows and use an uninstaller that will search the Mac for all the items related to the software to be removed and throw them in the Trash. There are a number of free, trial or paid uninstallers in this field, such as AppZapper, uApp, AppTrap, CleanApp, AppDelete… For this practical guide, we have chosen AppCleaner. Free and in French, it is simple to use and does not overflow with functions. It just deletes your applications cleanly and that’s all we ask!
How to completely delete an app on Mac Monterey?
A few clicks are all it takes to clean up neatly with AppCleaner. This utility offers two methods to remove your apps cleanly.
- The software does not require installation. Unzip the Zip archive, then open its folder and launch AppCleaner.
- A window will appear in the Finder. There are two ways to clean up your software. The first is to drag the unwanted application from the Applications folder of macOS into the AppCleaner window. You can also move the folder containing the application if this is the case.
- After a few seconds, AppCleaner lists all the files that are attached to that application and specifies their locations. It will also indicate the amount of data that this set represents. Click on the Delete button at the bottom right to get rid of them.
- The set of files is placed in the Recycle Bin. Your session password may be required for this operation: if so, enter it and you can then purge the MacOS Recycle Bin.
- AppCleaner also offers to browse the macOS Applications folder for you, so you don’t have to open a new window in the Finder. To do this, click on the button with overlapping lines at the top right of the utility window.
- After a few seconds, AppCleaner will show you all the software saved in the Applications folder.
- Click on the one you want to remove. All the files and folders attached to it will be displayed. Click on the Delete button to move all the associated items to the Recycle Bin.
- AppCleaner can also delete plug-ins and other widgets installed in the system. Click on the small arrows to the right of Applications at the top left of the window. Select Plugins, for example.
- This will display a list of the plug-ins present. These may be modules that are anchored in the system and can be found in the macOS System Preferences panel.
- Click on the one you want to get rid of, then on the Delete button to throw it in the Trash.