One of the greatest usability features in OS X is the way applications are handled. I remember when i first switched to Mac i didn’t understand how to install a downloaded application. After looking it up online, and seeing that all you had to do was drag it to the Applications folder, i was pleasantly surprised. As great as this functionality might be, often you are paying a hidden tax. Sometimes, just dragging an App to the trash will not remove the hidden support files created. That is where AppCleaner comes in to play.
AppCleaner is a free Mac download provided by freemacsoft.net. Downloading it is as simple as going to their website and clicking download. Once you have installed AppCleaner, run the app and check out its features. AppCleaner provides a small window with a box that says “Drop Apps Here”. If you drag an App into that window, it will properly delete it and any other files that are part of that installation. You can also manage your Widgets and various other Plugins. But the best feature has to be SmartDelete. Once enabled (check the preferences), users can drag apps to trash as usual, and AppCleaner will automatically detect that you are uninstalling an App and prompt you with extra deleting options.
So lets review, AppCleaner is:
- AppCleaner is extremely easy to use with its drag and drop interface
- Prevent your favorite apps from being deleted accidentally
- It will offer to delete an app properly when you move it to trash
- All the files deleted are stored in a history
