Delete previously installed application files | macOS

Learn how to delete files that are installed during a failed installation, or that are left behind when an application is removed.

Files from a failed or removed installation take up disk space and can cause problems when you install or run a newer version of the Adobe application.

Delete files from a previous Adobe application installation

To delete files from a previous Adobe application installation, do the following:

  1. If the Adobe application folder exists, drag it to Trash. By default, the folders are located in the Applications folder on the hard disk.

  2. Drag the preferences folder to Trash from the Users/[User]/Library/Preferences folder. (For example, drag the Acrobat folder to Trash.)

    Note:

    The user Library folder is hidden by default in Mac OS X 10.7 and later releases. To access files in the hidden library folder, see How to access hidden user library files.

  3. Drag the application PLIST file, located in the Users/[User]/Library/Preferences folder, to Trash. Skip this step if the Adobe application doesn't include a PLIST file.

  4. If you don't have other Adobe applications installed on your computer, drag each of the Adobe folders to Trash from the following locations:

    • Users/[User]/Library/Application Support
    • Library/Application Support
  5. Empty Trash. If you receive an error message while trying to empty Trash, see the next section. 

Can't empty Trash?

If you receive a message that items are locked and cannot be deleted, press Option and then empty Trash.

If you still receive a message that the item is in use, do one of the following:

  • Quit the app that you were using with the file and then empty Trash.
  • Restart your Mac and then empty Trash.
  • Start your Mac in safe mode by holding down the Shift key while your Mac starts up. Then empty Trash and restart your Mac normally. For more information, see Use safe mode to isolate issues with your Mac.

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