TUAW's Daily Mac App: AppZapper

Uninstalling apps on a Mac is easy -- just delete the program from your Applications folder. But what about all the garbage of ancillary files that gets left behind? Zap 'em with AppZapper.

AppZapper is an uninstaller that does everything for you and makes sure nothing is left behind. It'll find things like Services menu entries, preference files and any other small files not stored in the .app file.

Simply drag-and-drop the application you want shot of, AppZapper will then show you what it's found and move it all to trash when you hit the "Zap!" button.

AppZapper also has a more advanced program finder feature that lists all the programs you have installed that are ready for removal. It doesn't stop short of programs either -- Preference Panes, Dashboard widgets and plug-ins are all fair game.

For those apps you want to keep, AppZapper also includes a "My Apps" feature. Simply drag-and-drop apps into a collection pane, and it will then create app "cards," on the back of which you can store license information and other things. Handy for keeping all your registration information in one place for those apps not in the Mac App Store.

If you're constantly installing and uninstalling applications on your Mac, an app like AppZapper is a Godsend. It's quick, easy, and most of all, effective. There's a free trial available on the AppZapper website that gives you five free Zaps, so it's certainly worth a try. Once you've tried it and liked it, the app will set you back US$12.95.

View Tags

Source: http://www.appzapper.com/

Categories

Software Mac

Uninstalling apps on a Mac is easy -- just delete the program from your Applications folder. But what about all the garbage of...

Add a Comment

Sign in »

19 Comments

Filter by:

Slomo

Plus it has that nifty "pew!" sound.
There's just something about it that's satisfying.
Begone, cursed app! And it is.

June 18 2011 at 6:50 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

calemon

I've always used AppTrap.. it's simple and functions as expected... Yes, it's not sexy looking but it's free...

June 17 2011 at 2:26 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Asbjørn Ulsberg

Won't Lion obsolete software like this, have I just dreamt it?

June 16 2011 at 3:06 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Chris R

I've been using Trashme for a while.. it free and easy!
http://www.jibapps.com/products/trashme/

June 16 2011 at 8:51 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

ephemeral

Having recently migrated to the Mac from a Windows, only in the past days have I begun to wonder about this very item. I know well what to do in a Windows environment to search and destroy .dll files, etc. but only now do I get up to speed on the Mac. I have been too busy having fun.

So I was just about to figure out the 'how' of complete app removal, when this post came along. I paid heed to the comments, downloaded AppCleaner, sampled it with one app removal... and am quite impressed.

But then I am quite impressed with the Mac overall.

June 16 2011 at 7:27 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

I prefer Appcleaner. It's free, no frills, and does pretty much the same thing (but doesn't do pref panes). If you want a way to make sure everything is deleted when you get rid of apps, I highly recommend it. http://www.freemacsoft.net/AppCleaner/

June 16 2011 at 1:59 AM Report abuse Permalink +1 rate up rate down Reply

Ward

Over the years, I've tried AppZapper and most of the housekeeping utilities mentioned in the comments. I've settled on AppDelete as easiest and most reliable. And the developer is remarkably responsive to user feedback.

June 16 2011 at 12:29 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Alex Simpson

CleanMyMac does this, and much more besides, like getting rid of languages you don't need and the portion of universal binaries that you don't use.

June 15 2011 at 5:56 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Noah

AppCleaner does all this (extremely well) and then some. AppCleaner has a special Smart Delete preference that when you delete an app (without opening AppCleaner) , AppCleaner pops up & asks if you would like to delete the associated files.

http://www.freemacsoft.net/AppCleaner/

June 15 2011 at 5:43 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply