If you have a Mac, you already know the ease of which you are able to get rid of unwanted applications (software). If you have (have had) a PC, I’m sure you are familiar with the multi-step process of trying to uninstall a piece of software, only to find out later that there are still small traces of it lying around your hard drive.
Luckily when you purchase a Mac, there isn’t alot of extraneous software on it that you want to dump. But every now and again, you might find that you don’t use something anymore and want to get rid of it to free up space. So in order to do that, you just open the applications folder, and drag that specific app to the trash and POOF! …it’s gone. Well, not quite…
Depending on the app, there may still be some system files that are left. You may have gotten rid of that application itself, but the registry files, or other “mac bits” may still be floating around.
Rest assured…I have a solution for you.
I picked up AppZapper when I was new to the Mac and googling around trying to find out the best way to ditch an app. I can’t say enough about this simple application. I guess the first thing I would say is that this application is…well…simple. You want to get rid of an app? You just open AppZapper, drop the app you want to get rid of, it finds the other associated files, hit “ZAP” and it makes a very cool sound and your app is gone! Just like that!
The creators of AppZapper have been so generous to provide me with 5 licenses to AppZapper, to be given AT RANDOM to 5 people who subscribe to the RSS feed, and comment on this post. Just leave a comment saying which app you have that you would like to “zap” and at the end of today (9pm PST) 5 commenters will be chosen at random, contacted via email, and given their FREE license. Good luck!
By the way, if you are looking for a killer everyday Mac application site, check out MacZot. Created by the same guys who gave you AppZapper.
March 19th, 2009 at 6:23 pm
I have a whole slew of old podcast apps and flash games I need to get rid of. Having too many problems with browser right now to list them all. Besides that, Villanova is coming back on American!
May 5th, 2009 at 10:26 am
I want to get rid of (zap) “Before You Know It Lite.” Have had it hanging around for several years now without using it. Thanks. Bill
September 15th, 2011 at 3:40 am
Got a lot out of your article, continue to post.
November 9th, 2011 at 1:53 pm
I have way too many unused programs that need to be terminated for example omnigraffle and sherlock….to name a couple. Thanks, I could really use your zapper to annialate any trailing files.
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