Filed under: Software, Friday Favorite
Friday Favorite: AppZapper
Every so often I'll go through my Mac's hard drive and delete stuff that's just sitting around. The downloads folder fills with junk especially fast. I also download lots of software out of curiosity, and after a few months my applications folder is bulging.While installing Mac software is often as easy as a click, uninstalling takes a bit more work. Rather than hunt around for preference files, etc. I use AppZapper. By simply dropping an app onto the cute raygun icon, AppZapper finds all of that application's related files -- preferences, caches, etc. -- and lists them in a window. With a click, it "zaps" them (you can disable that sound effect) to the trash.
Fortunately, they aren't deleted for good, so you can recover something zapped by mistake. Once you're ready, simply empty the trash to reclaim all of that precious hard drive space. Pro tip: Move it to your Finder Window's sidebar for easy drag-and-drop access.
AppZapper requies Tiger or Leopard and the $12.95US pricetag includes free upgrades for life. There are other apps that do this, yes, but AppZapper works perfectly for me.
Update: Some readers are reporting that AppZapper doesn't work properly under Leopard. It's never given me any trouble, but if you want an alternative, Hazel is a good one.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Garrett Bjerkhoel said 2:07PM on 7-31-2009
I know there will be tons of people saying he never gives us updates, but what else is really needed? So don't throw the product down and complain.
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cmherbert said 2:18PM on 7-31-2009
Try the alternative, and FREE, version - AppCleaner. Works great!
www.freemacsoft.net/AppCleaner/
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Nikax said 2:51PM on 7-31-2009
Been using it for ages, very very handy.
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William Hook said 2:21PM on 7-31-2009
Disable the sound? Why on earth would I do that? It's one of the most awesome sounds I think I've ever heard that comes with an application. :P
That said, AppZapper, while brilliant, isn't free, and there are other free apps which do much the same thing. Two alternatives to AppZapper are:
http://konstochvanligasaker.se/apptrap/
http://www.freemacsoft.net/AppCleaner/
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skyman375 said 3:09PM on 7-31-2009
love the 'zap' sound!
bill cant fart said 3:28PM on 7-31-2009
Yeah, but a cool sound effect isn't worth 13 bucks.
Anyone know why TUAW doesn't really offer any free alternatives? Are they getting paid by developers?
David Winograd said 5:43PM on 7-31-2009
@ bill cant fart
You cut us to the quick. Wasn't it July 3rd that we covered Apptrap?
http://www.tuaw.com/2009/07/03/friday-favorite-triple-pack-alarm-clock-2-apptrap-and-timemac/
We don't get paid by developers but long as I'm here, may I recommend some AWESOME fart apps? [joke mode off]
kelly said 2:26PM on 7-31-2009
Any minute now version 2 will be released!
http://appzapper.com/soon/
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Lhasapso said 2:30PM on 7-31-2009
It's been saying that for I'm pretty sure over a year. The last news I heard about it was some preview images the developer shared during MacHeist 2 - MacHeist 3 finished up a few months ago.
Lhasapso said 2:34PM on 7-31-2009
If anyone's curious, here's a post with the pictures (note the date): http://daysofourmacbooks.blogspot.com/2008/01/appzapper-2-is-coming-soon.html
I love AppZapper and I'd love to see an update, but it's not looking like that's going to happen any time soon.
Mark said 4:14AM on 8-01-2009
LOL.
I've been staring at that page for over a year now.
Chris Pratt said 2:25PM on 7-31-2009
I second AppCleaner, why pay $15 bucks for something that I free app does as well as if not better. (or does AppZapper let you take out System Preferences panes too?)
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Gregory Lee said 2:29PM on 7-31-2009
Even better -- Hazel. If you are going to pay for an app to uninstall your apps, Hazel runs in the background and prompts you when you drag an app to the trash if you would like to delete the accompanying files. It also can help you organize any folder you would like, for example color coded labeling automatically, or moving movies from the downloads folder to the movies folder.
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kelly said 2:35PM on 7-31-2009
So you mean any SECOND NOW?!?!
backflip
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slakr007 said 2:36PM on 7-31-2009
This is so pre-Windows95. Exactly when are we going to get a fully integrated install/uninstall system? ...preferably one easier for both devs and users than Windows Installer, but even that would be better than having two installation methods and no uninstall method.
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skyman375 said 3:10PM on 7-31-2009
How about one integrated into a system App store? That seems to be the model Apple is following...why expect them to not go after that percentage too?
Aaron P. said 6:50PM on 7-31-2009
@skyman375
Ugh, please no. A Mac App Store is one of my worst fears for the Mac. Judging from the way they've handled the iPhone/iPod Touch App Store, I don't want anything to do with a Mac App Store. Ever.
brendenmulligan said 2:37PM on 7-31-2009
I LOVE this app. Been using it for years and it definitely helps me keep a clean house. Glad you're promoting it.
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Alex Nichols said 2:43PM on 7-31-2009
This is a perfect example of vaporware.
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Matt said 6:31PM on 7-31-2009
No it's not. Abandonware may be the word you're looking for. Vapourware is software that has been announced, but does not exist. This app clearly does.