Uninstalling a program on a Mac is easy. You can remove an app the same way you would on iPads and iPhones. You need to hold the Option key while in Launchpad, and X buttons suddenly appear. However, not all applications can be deleted with this method, and you will quickly notice not all applications have an X next to them.
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If an application does not have an X button, you will need to locate the program in Finder and drag it over to the recycle bin. Overall, deleting programs on a Mac is much quicker and easier on a PC. But the difference between App Store applications that can be deleted with the X, compared to traditional software that must be deleted manually, is confusing.
Step 1: Open Launchpad
To delete an app, start by opening Launchpad. Do this by clicking on the Launchpad icon in the dock.
Step 2: Find the App
Locate the app in Launchpad using the search bar if needed. You can type in the name of any app in the search bar to find the right one.
Step 3: Hold Option
Once you’ve found the app to delete, hold down the Option key. This will make the apps start vibrating, and an X next will appear next to apps you can delete.
Step 4: Delete the App
With the apps vibrating, click on the X beside it. If the application does not have an X button next to it, then it is not an app that can be deleted with this method.
Step 5: Confirm Deletion
After clicking on the X button, a popup will appear. Be sure to click “Confirm” to finalize deleting the app. The app will then be permanently removed from your computer.
Delete a Program in Finder
One limitation of the above method is that it only works with applications in the app store. Other programs on the computer need to be manually removed rather than just clicking an “X” button. To delete these applications, start by opening Finder.
Next, choose “Applications” on the left side panel. All of the computer’s programs should be listed here. Find the one you want to delete and drag it to the trash can. This will remove the application and its files, but don’t forget to empty the trash can to delete them permanently.
Conclusion
Now it’s time to try uninstalling a program yourself. All you have to do is hold the Option key in Launchpad and press the X button to remove an application. Keep in mind some apps are not removable and others that are just stubborn to delete. You can get rid of most apps through Finder, but some require more steps, like using Terminal.
Also, be sure to stay ahead of deleting apps. It doesn’t take much for your computer to get overrun with unused software, and it can have a detrimental effect. More specifically, unused apps take up space on your hard drive and can slow down the computer. It is also a good idea to look for and remove programs that run in the background. Alternatively, you can use a third-party cleanup utility.
