PreferenceCleaner

Preference files can become corrupt and cause an application or operating system component to become unstable. Alternatively, if an application has a large array of preferences you might find it simpler to delete the files than to locate a setting which has enabled an undesired behaviour. PreferenceCleaner is a utility which aims to simplify the task of deleting preference files.

Requires Mac OS X 10.6 or higher
    (download v1.4.2 for Tiger or Leopard)
PreferenceCleaner is a Universal Binary.
Installation is as simple as dragging the the application from the disk image to your hard drive.

Download PreferenceCleaner 1.5 File size: 503 KB
Download PreferenceCleaner 1.4.2 File size: 465 KB

Current version: 1.5
New in this version:
  • This version only support OS X 10.6 (Snow Leopard) and later.
  • Support for more system preferences in Lion and Mountain Lion.
  • PreferenceCleaner can now locate preferences for sand-boxed applications in Lion and Mountain Lion.
  • This version is code-signed to work with the new "Gate Keeper" feature in OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion.

New in version 1.4.2:
  • This update improves parsing of plutil results on Mac OS X 10.4.x (Tiger).

New in version 1.4.1:
  • This is a maintenance release to fix a bug which could cause the application to crash on Mac OS X 10.5.x (Leopard).

New in version 1.4:
  • This version adds a new "Syntax Checker" tab, which provides a GUI for using Apple's plutil to check for corrupt preferences.
  • Support for more system preferences.
  • Shiny new icon!
± more
New in version 1.3:
  • PreferenceCleaner now requests authorisation if it requires elevated priveleges to delete a file. Previously it would fail.
  • It also now has a tab for deleting certain the preferences for certain operating system components.
  • The "Simple" tab has been removed, as it no longer served any real purpose. Accordingly, the "Advanced" tab has been renamed.

New in version 1.2:
  • PreferenceCleaner now uses specific knowledge about a number of applications to locate a larger number of files.
  • Added "Rescan" function.
  • Minor interface improvements.

New in version 1.1.1:
  • Fixed a bug which could prevent the application form launching on some systems.
  • Added the ability to drag a folder of applications into the batch list.

New in version 1.1:
  • The "Add File" dialogue in advanced mode now has a "Show hiden files" checkbox.
  • Icons for applications and files are now displayed in the table in advanced mode.
  • Now displays application icons in simple mode. Applications can be dragged into the icon display from the Finder.
  • Minor interface improvements.

New in version 1.0.4:
  • Fixed a bug where batch lists could not be opened by double-clicking in the Finder.

New in version 1.0.3:
  • Improved feedback in advanced mode to give the number of files actually deleted.
  • Fixed bug which prevented the window from being reopened if it was closed.

New in version: 1.0.2:
  • Now supports drag and drop of applications straight into the batch list.

New in version 1.0.1:
  • Improved search algorithm now finds a more complete set of files and folders.
  • Fixed a minor Leopard compatibility issue encoutered when adding applications without a CFBundleIdentifier.
  • Fixed a minor interface bug.

New in version 1.0:
  • Initial release.
"PreferenceCleaner is a lifesaver when an application begins acting unstable, you've got to have it!"

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