Uninstall unwanted App from Apple Laptop

[paulsolino]

Last couple of days I get a notification from a n app I don't want or even installed. It's Solarwinds Take Control Agent. I've tried all I know but evertyime I try to uninstall or drag it to the trash I get a warning that's it's running and get be taken to the trash.
I can't see it running and restart doesn't do it.

Help how can I get rid??

 

[Applescrumpy]

I found these instructions via a Google search.

https://success.solarwindsmsp.com/kb/solarwinds_n-central/How-to-Perform-a-Clean-Uninstall-and-Reinstall-of-Take-Control-for-macOS-in-SolarWinds-N-Central

 

[Raz0rEdge]

A better question, this is a remote IT tool installed for remote servicing of your computer. Are you using a computer that is owned by your work, school or some other thing? If this is NOT your personal machine, then understand that you need to have this app installed for reasons deemed necessary by the organization that gave you the machine.

If this is your personal machine, then we can discuss.

 

[paulsolino]

A better question, this is a remote IT tool installed for remote servicing of your computer. Are you using a computer that is owned by your work, school or some other thing? If this is NOT your personal machine, then understand that you need to have this app installed for reasons deemed necessary by the organization that gave you the machine.

If this is your personal machine, then we can discuss.

Hi. Yes this is my personal laptop .

 

[Rod]

This seems to be one part of a suite of online sales and marketing apps and from what I can see a reputable company. Usually I would advise using the developers uninstaller but in this case a little more research might be required.

 

[Raz0rEdge]

Hi. Yes this is my personal laptop .

If that is the case, did you seek remote IT help in the recent past and did they have you install something to help you? If so that's how this got installed. If none of this true, someone else with physical access to your computer and your credentials installed it.

If you want it removed, then carefully follow the instructions in the post above for the developers site.

 

[Rod]

Just to answer the question though Delete Apps; Uninstaller and TrashIt are pretty good but I think direct contact with the developer would be the best course to take.

 

[Raz0rEdge]

There are apps out there are are just sitting in your /Applications folder but rather have services that run in the background and so on. For these apps, the uninstaller apps like AppCleaner won't work since they just delete the static files in /Applications and associated prefs file, they don't know how to stop services.

To that end, you need to use specific application provided uninstallers or Terminal commands to stop those things.

 

[MacInWin]

Try booting in Safe mode and then see if the app can be deleted. Safe Mode prevents third party software from starting.

 

[Rod]

There are apps out there are are just sitting in your /Applications folder but rather have services that run in the background and so on. For these apps, the uninstaller apps like AppCleaner won't work since they just delete the static files in /Applications and associated prefs file, they don't know how to stop services.

To that end, you need to use specific application provided uninstallers or Terminal commands to stop those things.

Which makes me wonder why they don't have an uninstaller. The uninstall process described on thier site seems quite complicated given the program seems to have more or less installed itself. Having said that it may be simpler than it appears it will just require care and precision not to mention a backup before beginning.

 

[pm-r]

Maybe there is some information you can use from their UnInstaller sites, or at least get some idea of the stuff to delete:

Success Center

support.solarwinds.com

Success Center

support.solarwinds.com

- Patrick
=======

 

[paulsolino]

Tried several uninstallers but going into Safe Mode and dragging it to the bin has worked so thanks for everyones input.

 

[Rod]

As a matter of interest if you were to download Find Any File, free from here; http://apps.tempel.org/FindAnyFile/index.php
and perform a search for solarwinds how many files would remain.

 

[pm-r]

As a matter of interest if you were to download Find Any File, free from here; http://apps.tempel.org/FindAnyFile/index.php
and perform a search for solarwinds how many files would remain.

+1.
It always amazes me how much stuff Find Any File.app can find bits of deleted applications after various un-installers are used. May as well use it in the first place.



- Patrick
=======

 

[chscag]

Or, the free "EasyFind.app" which you can download from here:

DEVONtechnologies | Needful Things

A little collection of free utilities for the Mac to make your life easier.

www.devontechnologies.com