How do I delete programs from the Applications folder?

[pathofthorns19]

Hi everyone,
I have a beta version of Photoshop 7 for OS X on my machine (733MHz G4, 640mb RAM), which for some reason I can no longer access, and I'd like to get rid of it from the Applications folder, but the system won't let me, saying I do not have permission. I went into Show Info for Applications folder, and it said the user was 'system', but that's not my login name. I seem to be logged in as an administrator (I'm the only admin user in System Preferences/Users, but I can't delete the file. I'm a photographer and I bought my Mac for it's graphics capabilities and it's ease of use, but I know nothing about programming or anything like that, ie root users, terminal, etc. Can someone please help me figure out how to delete these files w/ no problems?

Thanks a lot,
pathofthorns19

[macguy17]

ok, if you don't want to miss with terminal...

Go into Applications/Utilities and open NetInfo Manager.
Click on the padlock in the lower left of the screen.
Type your log in name and password then hit OK.

Go to menu Domain-Security-Enable Root User. It should ask for you to make up a password for the root account, hopefully non-trivial.

Quit NetInfo Mananger.

Go into System Preferences then the Login Panel. Turn on Show Other User option.

Next log out and click other user. In the first text box type root, in the second the password you made up.

Trash the files you want.

Log out and back in as your regular account.

Go back to NetInfo manager, click the padlock, use your administrator name and password and click OK.

Then do the menu Domain-Security-Disable root user to be safe.

[starfleetX]

Be forewarned that by enabling and using root, you could destroy civilization at you know it. If random problems start cropping up after you start tinkering with root, don't come asking for help. If permissions get screwed up while you're root, you'll probably be safest to do a clean reinstall.

That said, I recommend you do NOT follow macguy17's suggestions. Rather do this:

* Open the Terminal (/Applications/Utilites/Terminal.app).
* Type in "sudo rm -R " less the quotes and with the trailing space. DON'T press return yet.
* Go to the Finder and find the offending file/folder you wish to delete.
* Drag said file into the Terminal window -- the path to that file will automatically fill in.
* Switch back to the Terminal.
* DOUBLE CHECK the path to be sure it matches. If it doesn't, close the Terminal and start over.
* Press return.
* When prompted, enter your admin user's password.

Voila! Your file has been deleted without wielding the dangerous powers of root.

Alternatively, if you don't want to use the Terminal and want a *really* easy way to delete it, download the utility BatChmod.

* Drag the offending folder to BatChmod
* Change the owner to your name and be sure the R and W below are checked.
* Check the "Apply ownership and privileges" and "Unlock" under "Enclosed files and folders"
* Click Apply.
* Enter your admin password when prompted.
* Close BatChmod.
* Delete the folder in the Finder with ease.

[dixonbm]

What StarfleetX said.

[edX]

yea, get BatchMod at www.versiontracker.com and change the permissions. it's easy and you can't screw it up. leave the termainal for another day.

[Dekatophil]

starfleeX wrote:
* Open the Terminal (/Applications/Utilites/Terminal.app).
* Type in "sudo rm -R " less the quotes and with the trailing space. DON'T press return yet.
* Go to the Finder and find the offending file/folder you wish to delete.
* Drag said file into the Terminal window -- the path to that file will automatically fill in.
* Switch back to the Terminal.
* DOUBLE CHECK the path to be sure it matches. If it doesn't, close the Terminal and start over.
* Press return.
* When prompted, enter your admin user's password


If you want to get a little familiar with the Terminal this isn't too bad. I would add, though, that you should type "-iR" instead of just "-R" because like that, you'll be asked each time whether you really want to delete the file and the Terminal (once again) shows you which file you're about to delete...
BTW, answer "y" or "n". This reduces the danger very much...