Apps that I can't get rid of

[Lionel Mandrake]

MacOS High Sierra comes with a helpful tip about 32-bit apps and a warning that future versions of OS X will not support such apps. The helpful tip reads as follows:

<begin quote>

How do I check if an app is 32-bit or 64-bit?

From the Apple menu, choose About This Mac, then click the System Report button. From the system report, scroll down to Software, then select Applications. When you select an individual application, you will see a field titled ”64-bit (Intel)”. “Yes" indicates 64-bit; “No" indicates 32-bit.

<end quote>

I followed the instructions above and got a list of the apps installed on my computer. It's nice to know which apps are 32-bit and which are 64-bit, but what's more interesting is this appears to be a complete list of all apps on my computer. I'd never seen such a list before.

Looking over the list, I see that many apps are obsolete. Some apps exist only to launch intrusive promotional crap. Many apps are not where the list says they are. I can't get rid of them, because I can't locate them.

Has anyone else run into this problem?

[emulatorloo]

1. Call Apple Tech support and tell them you are having a problem with OS X

Explain what’s going on and they will help you sort this out.

Let us know how it works out.

[Lionel Mandrake]

4. I did that.

Apple tech support helped me stop an obnoxious app from repeatedly launching a shitty commercial message, but even they couldn't get rid of it. So it's sitting there somewhere, like Voldemort, hoping to become whole once again.

[TreasonousBastard]

2. Not a Mac user, but I understand Macs have unistallers like Windows has...

I use uninstallers because they can root out most hidden files and registry entries that just erasing the files or using the program's uninstall would miss.

Check with Mac experts to see what they use to clean the junk out.

[morisddx]

5. app names?

Name one of the apps so we can check it is malware or spamware

[CloudWatcher]

6. Most applications are in /Applications

Try using the Finder to navigate (or use "Goto Folder" ) to the "Applications" folder (aka /Applications) and delete the application. It should prompt you for your password and then move it to the trash.

There are other things (device drivers, startup items) that live elsewhere. E.g. these guys for the system as a whole:

/Applications/Utilities/
/Library/LaunchAgents
/Library/LaunchDaemons
/Library/Application Support
/Library/PreferencePanes
/Library/Extensions

And these guys specific to your login:
~/Library/Application Support
~/Library/LaunchAgents
~/Library/PreferencePanes

And, of course, be careful what you delete!

There's more ... but this list should get about 99% of things. Including where malware lives ...

[CloudWatcher]

7. easiest ...

Ah, I didn't notice, but if you look again at that report from About This Mac / System Report / Software / Applications ... if you click on an application it will tell you all about it. Including its "Location:" ... just copy/paste the location (from the first / through and including the last /) into the Finder's "Go to Folder" menu command and you should see the old application. With some luck you'll be able to drag it to the trash.

[CloudWatcher]

9. What to do when running low on available disk space

Applications usually aren't all that big. I'd suggest reviewing what has happened with your disk space!

If you use 'About This Mac' (under the Apple Menu) and then the "Storage" tab .. it's actually pretty useful. You can find out generally why your storage has run out, and (under the 'Manage' button) even find out which files are taking up the most space.

I keep finding enormous files that I've forgotten about and no longer need