how to remove opera from mac: should you consider removing all traces of the browser?

In today’s digital age, browsers like Opera have become indispensable tools for navigating the internet. However, as with any software, uninstalling Opera from your Mac can be a complex process, especially if you want to ensure that all traces of it are removed. This article delves into various methods and considerations to help you completely remove Opera from your Mac system.

Uninstalling Opera Safely

Firstly, let’s discuss the straightforward way to uninstall Opera from your Mac. Opera offers a built-in uninstaller that simplifies the removal process. Here’s how to do it:

Open the Finder application on your Mac.
Navigate to the Applications folder.
Locate the Opera application within the folder.
Right-click (or control-click) on the Opera icon and select Move to Trash.
Once in the Trash, right-click (or control-click) again and choose Empty Trash.

While this method is convenient, it does not guarantee a thorough removal. To ensure all files and settings are deleted, follow these additional steps:

Using Terminal

For those comfortable with the command line, using Terminal can provide more control over the uninstallation process. Follow these steps:

Open Terminal (you can find it in the Applications > Utilities folder).
Type cd /Applications and press Enter to navigate to the Applications directory.
Use the following command to move the Opera application to the Trash: mv ~/Applications/Opera.app ~/Trash
Empty the Trash by typing rm -rf ~/Trash/Opera.app and pressing Enter.

Manual Removal

If you prefer a manual approach, you can delete all files related to Opera. Here’s what you need to do:

Close any running instances of Opera.
Open Finder and navigate to the Library folder located in your Home directory.
Go to Containers, then Application Support, and finally com.opera.* folders. These folders contain most of Opera’s data.
Delete the contents of the com.opera.* folders.
Navigate to ~/Library/Application Support and delete the com.opera.* folders.
Lastly, delete the Preferences folder located in ~/Library/Preferences.

Removing All Traces of Opera

To ensure that Opera is completely removed from your Mac, consider taking further measures:

System Preferences

Go to System Preferences.
Click on Users & Groups.
Select your user account and click on the lock icon to make changes.
Check the box next to Login Items and uncheck Opera if it appears there.

Privacy Settings

Go to System Preferences > Security & Privacy.
Click on the Privacy tab.
In the list of apps, check if Opera is listed under Web Browsing. If so, remove it.

Browser Extensions

Open Settings in Opera.
Go to the Extensions section.
Remove any extensions that were installed with Opera.

Third-Party Software

Sometimes, third-party applications or system updates may still reference Opera. Be sure to review and update your system preferences and security settings to ensure no lingering references remain.

Conclusion

Removing Opera from your Mac involves more than just uninstalling the application. By carefully managing the files and settings associated with Opera, you can ensure a clean slate. Whether you opt for the built-in uninstaller, the command line, or a more thorough manual removal, the key is to address all aspects of Opera’s presence on your Mac.