Mac App Store’s arrival should also make it easier to delete apps

When the Mac App Store rolls out for Mac OS X 10.6 (“Snow Leopard”) next month and is built-into Mac OS X Lion when it begins prowling in 2011, let’s hope Apple makes it simple to delete an app.

Right now removing an app doesn’t involve simply dragging the app to the trash. There are preference files, documents and more that have to be removed. Some apps have an uninstall feature. Others can be removed by third party apps (AppZapper is my personal favorite).

But if Apple plans on making installing apps from the Mac App Store a no-brainer procedure a la iOS apps, then, hopefully, the company will do the same with apps purchased there. In other words, deleting an app ought to remove all accompanying files.

Of course, that will probably only apply to software bought at the Mac App Store. For software purchased and downloaded elsewhere, tools such as AppZapper will still be needed.

— Dennis Sellers