How to cleanup leftover files after applications uninstall?

AppCleaner is a free, lightweight tool for macOS that helps you uninstall applications and remove their leftover files efficiently. Unlike simply dragging an app to the Trash, AppCleaner scans your system for associated files (e.g., preferences, caches, and support files) and deletes them along with the app. Here’s how to use it to clean up leftover files after uninstalling an application:

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Steps to Clean Up Leftover Files with AppCleaner (free software)

1. Download and Install AppCleaner

• Visit the official website (freemacsoft.net) and download the latest version of AppCleaner compatible with your macOS version.
• Open the downloaded .zip file, drag the AppCleaner app to your /Applications folder, and launch it.

2. Uninstall an Application and Remove Leftovers

• Option A: Drag and Drop
  • Open Finder and navigate to the /Applications folder.
  • Locate the app you want to uninstall.
  • Drag the app’s icon onto the AppCleaner window (or the AppCleaner icon in the Dock if pinned).
• Option B: Use the App List
  • Open AppCleaner and click the Applications tab (looks like a list icon) in the top-right corner.
  • Scroll through the list of installed apps, check the box next to the app you want to remove, and proceed.
• AppCleaner will scan your system and display a list of all associated files (e.g., ~/Library/Preferences, ~/Library/Application Support, ~/Library/Caches, etc.) tied to the app.

3. Review and Delete

• Review the list of files AppCleaner found. These are typically checked by default, but you can uncheck any you want to keep (e.g., if you plan to reinstall the app and retain settings).
• Click the Remove button. AppCleaner will move the app and its leftover files to the Trash.

4. Empty the Trash

• Right-click the Trash icon in the Dock and select Empty Trash (or use Finder > Empty Trash) to permanently delete the app and its leftovers.
• Alternatively, use Command + Shift + Delete in Finder and confirm.

5. Clean Up Leftovers from Already Uninstalled Apps (Optional)

• If you’ve already deleted an app manually (e.g., by dragging it to the Trash), AppCleaner can still help:
  • Open AppCleaner and go to the Preferences menu (AppCleaner > Preferences).
  • Enable SmartDelete (if not already on). This feature detects when you move an app to the Trash and automatically offers to find and remove its leftovers.
  • Alternatively, reinstall the app, then uninstall it properly with AppCleaner to ensure all remnants are caught.

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Tips for Effective Use

• Run as Admin: If some files are in system directories (e.g., /Library/ instead of ~/Library/), AppCleaner may prompt for your admin password to delete them.
• Check Hidden Files: AppCleaner automatically searches common locations, but toggle hidden files in Finder (Command + Shift + .) to manually verify if anything’s missed.
• Regular Maintenance: Periodically open AppCleaner’s app list to check for orphaned files from old uninstalls.

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Why Use AppCleaner?

When you uninstall an app by dragging it to the Trash, leftover files like preference files (.plist), caches, and support folders often remain in locations such as:

• ~/Library/Preferences/
• ~/Library/Application Support/
• ~/Library/Caches/
  AppCleaner automates the process, saving you from manually hunting these down, which can be tedious and error-prone.