MACMAGNA  The Macmagna.com web hosting service provider has some technical problems today.

A mirror site of macmagna.com is available here:

http://macmagna.free.fr/  
(Version 1.14)

SCOTT.GARDNER  Step 1 of the procedure to use Uninstaller is to, "Open Uninstaller in "Root mode." Yet the version 1.12.2 notes state, "10.6 limitation: the preferences option 'Make Uninstaller a root application' does not work under MacOS 10.6 and has been disabled for such systems. Note that except this, Uninstaller is fully functional under MacOS 10.6."

So is it necessary to, e.g., open Uninstaller via Terminal on Snow Leopard in order to achieve full functionality?:

sudo /Applications/Uninstaller &

Psuedo is an application that will allow drag-and-drop opening of an application as root, but it hasn't been developed since 2002 so I I don't know if it's compatible with 10.6.

Thanks  
(Version 1.12.2)

SAMADORE  Uninstaller is the ONLY stable (am keeping my eye on CleanApp) app uninstaller that lets you ensure you see EVERYTHING that an application installation puts on your hard drive. Trust me. Use this, see the items it shows you were just installed by an app and you'll realize that all the other purported 'app cleaners' do nothing but drag the app from your application folder and maybe find the odd ~/Library/Preference file and on a really good day a User cache file. It's interesting and useful to see the plethora of files (and where they go) some of these application installations scatter all over our hard drives. Can also be used as a re-installer and has uses beyond simple application file management.

Plus you get to try the other products in the MacMagna stable.  
(Version 1.12.1)

MACMAGNA  Perhaps we are not using the same version because the behavior you describe is similar to the one used in the previous release v.1.11 not in v.1.12.

In Uninstaller 1.12:

- "Save" just scan and save the item state.

- "Compare" just scan and compare against the saved state.

and:

- "Save" DO NOT compare after the scan.

- "Compare" DO NOT save any state.

Please let me know if the version you use really works differently.  
(Version 1.12)

SGHUEBNER  I am sorry, there seems to be no way to edit a review so I have to use another one. There was a typo in my last comment. The last sentence should read "...then make a *comparison*...", not "computer". Don't know how this got in there :-)  
(Version 1.12)

SGHUEBNER  Maybe I am the only one but I think the new behaviour of 1.12 is very un-intuitive compared to how it worked before. Reasons:

1. The toolbar-buttons do other things than their label suggests.

2. "save" not only saves the state, but it does a compare again. Totally useless and unnecessary as I only want to actually "save" but not want to compare again.

3. It is not clear to the user that "compare" actually not only compares but also saves the new found state.

This is bad for several reasons. In my opinion, "save" should only be available in two cases:

1. There is no earlier state

2. right after a "compare" and only once.

"Compare" should really do only "compare" and no save at all. The reason? The user may only test try a comparison to see if anything has changed. He might decide to leave Uninstaller without saving, install something else and then make a computer which then would include the unsaved changes plus new found entries.  
(Version 1.12)

MACMAGNA  Unlike previous versions, Uninstaller 1.12 use a different behavior to do its job.

The new uninstall process:

1) Select your main disc/folder and do just "Save" (this create/update the saved state)

2) Install your new app, use it, create documents, etc...

3) Do "Compare" (this create the current state and compare it to the saved state)

Now Uninstaller show you New, Modified and Removed items since 1)

4) Review New items and delete unwanted files.

That's all.

Optionally, you can update the saved state by doing "Save" again after 4) if you consider to compare later your disc/folder from this point.  
(Version 1.12)

REZA666  I have tested most of the so called uninstallers and i must say this is the only software that finds everything. all others do not find hidden files and leave files behind.

On the other hand, i think it is a little to complex to all the time exclude files not related to the install. I have lots of excluded files in my list by now.

Would be nice if there were some predefined list. Still i think this is a great software so i have payed for it.

One feature i miss is the ability to add more items to an existing log.

Also i have to scan, save state twice each time i exclude something which is a bit to overkill.

There is some room for improvments still but overall a great software.  
(Version 1.10.5)

XENOS  it's a real pain with people like THECAUSE, comparing apples with pears.

when reviewing a software, one would be supposed to knowing what they are talking about.

if it comes to seriously tracking down all new, deleted and changed files implied by an installation, you quietly can forget the whole palette of all other applications like CleanApp, Appzapper etc...

Uninstaller is the only working means of being notified about any installation process - provided you know to apply it correctly, i.e. doing an analysis and saving it before the installation begins.  
(Version 1.10.5)

THECAUSE  Consider giving the application

AppCleaner

http://www.macupdate.com/info.php/id/25276

a whirl. Its free dollars and it has a very clean interface.  
(Version 1.10.5)

MACMAGNA  If you "Scan and Save" just before the install and then "Scan and Compare" just after the install, as mentioned in the help, no system files could appear in the "New items" found excepted if you do this while MacOSX is updating itself, which is not a good idea.

To avoid catching unwanted files and to reduce, as close as possible, the found items to these relative to the installation process, i recommend to close all other applications before monitoring an installation with Uninstaller.  
(Version 1.10.5)

SCHNUCK  wrongo - what about invisible files and files that directly incfluence the system such as background daemons etc.? this is when it becomes messy. and a non-geek could easily ruin the entire system by trying to get rid of these.  
(Version 1.10.5)

STEVENBROWN  This utility has a 15 day trial - great! I can see if it works, then buy it.

Wait a minute - in addition to the time limitation, it's also feature disabled. So to demo it, I have to specifically install some app that only affects my home folder. So I can't just install something I was going to install anyway, because that install files out of reach of the "demo scan" of the home folder.

Is it really that dangerous to the dev's livelihood to just time-limit the demo? Why make the act of "checking out the program" more labor intensive than really required? Let's just keep pruning features away from the demo - how about only recognizing apps that start with the letter Q?

Jeez - because the only way I can test this within the "need to see what was changed _on my computer_" definition, I must now buy it to demo it.

I'm now going to purchase to demo. It may very well be great, we'll see, but come on!  
(Version 1.10.5)

MACMAGNA  Yes sometimes applications could be uninstalled by just trashing them to the trash and sometimes not. I think you have to post the same comment for the popular AppZapper ( http://www.macupdate.com/info.php/id/20306 ) which do exactely what you suggest for $12.95 and like you miss some files, package receipts, custom libraries, private frameworks, tmp files, log files, hidden files, etc... when "uninstalling" an application. Uninstaller do more than just searching for some name related files in some basic folders: Uninstaller compares file system hierarchies item by item and can also be used to find changes in any folder or disk of your choice between two dates.

Additionally, i suggest you first download and test the shareware before posting a comment on it. This does not apply only to Uninstaller, of course.  
(Version 1.10.5)

JSLMG  Another anonymous reviewer, writing in November 2003, suggested a command-line way to do what this app does. Generally, there is another, even less tricky way to get rid of whatever an installation puts on one's computer, by hand and using nothing but the Finder.

When you install an application, it will usually put everything in three locations--that's it, just three locations. If you know where those locations are, you can usually uninstall by dragging to trash. Here are the three locations to check:

(1) simply trash the application package itself--that's the most obvious first step.

(2) look in your home folder for "Library," then "Application Support". Look for any folders bearing the name of the application there. Trash it.

(3) go back to the "Library" level in home, and look for the "Preferences" folder. Look in preferences for any files bearing the name of the application (sometimes it's the maker of the application) you want to delete. Trash them.

Then, empty trash. That's really all there is to it.

Some applications--but not very many--will also deposit files in the system level. To check this, open the hard drive, open "Library," open "Application Support," and repeat as above. Then, open "Preferences" folder, repeat as above.

You can usually do all of this without logging in as root.

And again: Thanks to Spotlight, we can now perform searches for any remaining files an application has left behind.

The whole operation only takes me about one or two minutes, and I get to use the resources already available. I don't need to pay $25.

Which brings me to my real point: What does this app do that I couldn't do myself? Why is it worth $25 when it's already so easy on a Mac to have full control?

This app WOULD be a great little convenience tool if it were free. I'd download it in a heartbeat, but I'm not going to pay $25 for something I can easily do myself for free.  
(Version 1.10.5)

HAUSLENDALE  When I right click on an item in the list and selete

(Get Info) The "Finder" will become active but no info

panel will show up.

This is the only bug I find in this wonderful app.

Testing on 10.4.8 2.66 GHZ INTEL Core 2 Duo  
(Version 1.10)

MOUSEE  Thanks a lot for that upgrade bringing Uninstaller to the Intel side of the Macintosh. Startup and process are much faster.

A question though: RosettaTest still sees Uninstaller 1.1 as running under Rosetta, even though the "Open using Rosetta" box in the Uninstaller's Finder informations window is not checked. Any idea why?  
(Version 1.10)

SGHUEBNER  Great tool for keeping your system clean and remove whatever you have installed. Shows just any file that is installed and/or created by any program. Plus it's quite easy to use and the file-listings can be saved. Just great, imho, and worth the money. The new additions (setting color of deleted files, for example) makes it even easier to use.  
(Version 1.9.9)

K  $19 is expensive. I think it is too much.

That said, Uninstaller is great if you "play" with your system. Two or three times it saved me a full reinstallation.

It is good to track files too.  
(Version 1.9.8)

DOUGLAS  The great "Installer Observer 3.0" (Classic only) was much better ... and free.

http://allmacintosh.xs4all.nl/preview/207015.html

  
(Version 1.9.6)

KEVIN  Tried to use the simple drag and drop technique as described in the help section but it didn't work removing the Canon EOS application and folders.  
(Version 1.9.5)

ANONYMOUS  Install Observer was a cool tool in OS 9, too bad it does not work in OS X. Uninstaller works but it is too expensive. OK for $5 but 20!!! So let's find another way if you are not afraid to look under the hood. Thanks to BSD, it is pretty easy to make your own uninstaller.

1°) Log in root mode and open Terminal:

cd /

ls -aLRT > /step1.txt

2°) Log in you user account, install the untrusted application, launch the app, try a few functions, save a file, quit the app. Don't use another app!

3°) Log in root mode and open Terminal:

cd /

ls -aLRT > /step2.txt

4°) Now use FileMerge (install Apple's Dev Tools or extract it with Pacifist) to compare step1.txt and step2.txt. Use Command-down to go from a change to another, to find new files created by the untrusted application. Now you can easily control or delete what this app put on your hard drive.

This method is not as sexy as Uninstaller, but when you're used to it, it works very well, quickly, especially if you can't pay 20 bucks for a cute but overpriced tool.  
(Version 1.9.2)

REFURBY  Works great - just like Bruce said (pretty good directions on how to use it).

It is reminiscent of Installer Observer, but I think that this app will actually do more - it DOES give you the ability to see all changes made after an installation and use of an app.

I know it has more features, but I haven't gotten to them yet; I think that they will be useful, though.  
(Version 1.9.2)

BRUCE  Re. working like Installer Observer in OS9 - no, it doesn't work exactly the same.

- It takes a bit of time to get familiar with its design, but when you do, I find it very reliable. (Though I have not tried to compare an older saved UIS image to new).

- Prior to install new SW, do a Scan Item, then Save State. Now install and try new SW. Then relaunch Uninstaller, do a Scan Item (same one as first time) and it shows what is different from the last time you hit 'Save State'.

- To remove view of unnecessary files, must manually right click on one or several, and select 'Delete from list'.

(reg. user of 1.8, 1.9.2)  
(Version 1.9.2)

STEPHAN  Maybe I am just too dumb but it seems to me that it isn't possible to use this proggie like "Installer Observer", or is it?

Seems as if I can't compare two saved states with each other to see the changes made after an earlier installtion. Can I only compare a saved one with the actual state? If so, the proggie would show some interesting entries together with a lot of unnecessary garbage...? ;-(  
(Version 1.9)

MARK  Just getting better and better.  
(Version 1.7.7)

PHIL  best app i know to monitor, what an installer is doing, or what an app is doing on your hard drive. 1.6.3 will be perfect!!!

full throttle,

phil  
(Version 1.6.2)