Alternatively, you can also quit an app from the Menu Bar, or by pressing Command ⌘ + Q from the keyboard while the app is open and running in the foreground. Read more: 6 ways to quit an app on your Mac. After you quit the app you suspect is still using the file you’re trying to delete from your Trash, you can attempt to empty the Trash again. If you have several Adobe applications installed, those shared service files will not be available for removal, until you have more than one Adobe app. If you have only one Adobe app, you will see all its service files and will be able to remove them. Also, make sure in the Preferences that App Cleaner searches for service files in the System folders. Why can't I delete certain apps? For example, I've just installed Chrome for Mac. I don't like it and want to remove it. But when I move the app to trash, it just re-appears in apps folder, which is where it was in the first place!!! Got other that do that as well.

Uninstalling Software: The Basics
Most OS X applications are completely self-contained 'packages' that can be uninstalled by simply dragging the application to the Trash. Applications may create preference files that are stored in the /Home/Library/Preferences/ folder. Although they do nothing once you delete the associated application, they do take up some disk space. If you want you can look for them in the above location and delete them, too.
Some applications may install an uninstaller program that can be used to remove the application. In some cases the uninstaller may be part of the application's installer, and is invoked by clicking on a Customize button that will appear during the install process.
Some applications may install components in the /Home/Library/Applications Support/ folder. You can also check there to see if the application has created a folder. You can also delete the folder that's in the Applications Support folder. Again, they don't do anything but take up disk space once the application is trashed.
Some applications may install a startupitem or a Log In item. Startupitems are usually installed in the /Library/StartupItems/ folder and less often in the /Home/Library/StartupItems/ folder. Log In Items are set in the Accounts preferences. Open System Preferences, click on the Accounts icon, then click on the LogIn Items tab. Locate the item in the list for the application you want to remove and click on the '-' button to delete it from the list.
Some software use startup daemons or agents that are a new feature of the OS. Look for them in /Library/LaunchAgents/ and /Library/LaunchDaemons/ or in /Home/Library/LaunchAgents/.
If an application installs any other files the best way to track them down is to do a Finder search using the application name or the developer name as the search term. Unfortunately Spotlight will not look in certain folders by default. You can modify Spotlight's behavior or use a third-party search utility, Easy Find, instead. Download Easy Find at VersionTracker or MacUpdate.
Some applications install a receipt in the /Library/Receipts/ folder. Usually with the same name as the program or the developer. The item generally has a '.pkg' extension. Be sure you also delete this item as some programs use it to determine if it's already installed.
There are also several shareware utilities that can uninstall applications:

AppZapper
Automaton
Hazel
CleanApp
Yank
SuperPop
Uninstaller
Spring Cleaning
Look for them at VersionTracker or MacUpdate.

For more information visit The XLab FAQs and read the FAQ on removing software.

Oct 10, 2010 12:13 PM

How to get updates for macOS Mojave or later

Force delete the file. If all else fails, another terminal command can force file deletion. Enter “sudo rm -r path to the file”. In most cases, this command will delete the file once granted administrator permission with the password.

If you’ve upgraded to macOS Mojave or later, follow these steps to keep it up to date:

Choose System Preferences from the Apple menu , then click Software Update to check for updates.
If any updates are available, click the Update Now button to install them. Or click 'More info' to see details about each update and select specific updates to be installed.
When Software Update says that your Mac is up to date, the installed version of macOS and all of its apps are also up to date. That includes Safari, iTunes, Books, Messages, Mail, Calendar, Photos and FaceTime.

To find updates for iMovie, GarageBand, Pages, Numbers, Keynote and other apps that were downloaded separately from the App Store, open the App Store on your Mac, then click the Updates tab.

To automatically install macOS updates in the future, including apps that were downloaded separately from the App Store, select 'Automatically keep my Mac up to date'. Your Mac will notify you when updates require it to restart, so you can always choose to install those later.

How to get updates for earlier macOS versions

App Won't Delete Windows 10

If you’re using an earlier macOS, such as macOS High Sierra, Sierra, El Capitan or earlier,* follow these steps to keep it up to date:

Open the App Store app on your Mac.
Click Updates in the App Store toolbar.
Use the Update buttons to download and install any updates listed.
When the App Store shows no more updates, the installed version of macOS and all of its apps are up to date. That includes Safari, iTunes, iBooks, Messages, Mail, Calendar, Photos and FaceTime. Later versions may be available by upgrading your macOS.

Can't Delete Apps On Mac

To automatically download updates in the future, choose Apple menu  > System Preferences, click App Store, then select “Download newly available updates in the background”. Your Mac will notify you when updates are ready to install.

* If you’re using OS X Lion or Snow Leopard, get OS X updates by choosing Apple menu  > Software Update.

App Won't Delete Iphone

How to get updates for iOS

Find out how to update your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch to the latest version of iOS.

How To Delete Apps That Won't Delete

Learn more

Find out how to upgrade to the latest version of macOS.
Find out which macOS your Mac is using.
You can redownload apps that you previously downloaded from the App Store.
Your Mac doesn’t automatically download large updates when it’s using a Personal Hotspot.

Why Won't Some Apps Delete On Mac