Amnesia
From Koingo Software Wiki
For a complete product description, download links, and feature outline, visit the product page. This page is for product support only.
Contents |
Introduction
To begin using Amnesia to uninstall software, simply drag the executable (.app, prefPane, .saver, etc.) from the Application folder to the main list. Alternatively, click one of the many tabs at the top of the main window and select from a list by category. Amnesia will then automatically scan the hard drive for logs, caches, application support files, preferences, and other related files.
Verify the list of files Amnesia found, and uncheck any you would like to keep on the computer, then click "Uninstall". After entering the administrator username and password, the files will be completely eradicated. View a log of the process by choosing Program Log from the Window menu.
Amnesia also comes with the ability to backup and restore a set of files for a software package. Drag files to the main window as if to delete them, but choose Backup instead. An archive will be created which can later be used with the Restore feature to reinstall the product.
There are many options in the Preferences/Options window that help tweak the functionality of Amnesia. These include the ability to move files to the Trash instead of deleting them, toggling the program log, rebuilding the Launch Services database, managing an Untouchables list, and more!
Backup & Restore
Before removing a software product and associated files, a backup can be created in the event a reinstall is desired, or if you want to move a copy to another machine.
Backing up Files
- Add a software product to the main Amnesia list.
- Check or uncheck files to be included in this backup.
- Click the "Backup" button.
- Save the Archive to the desired location on the hard drive.
Restoring Files
- Click the "Restore" button in the main window.
- Locate an Amnesia archive.
Changing the Removal Location
Amnesia will delete files by default; however, a removal destination can be specified instead. Often specified as the user Trash folder, it is possible to specify any location for the files to be moved to.
Specifying a Removal Location
- Open the Preferences/Options window.
- Choose the "Move to Location" option for the Removal Action.
- Press Choose to specify a folder where the files will be moved to.
Secure File Removal
By default, Amnesia removes files using the standard delete feature in Mac OS X. However, for added security we have added the ability to not just delete, but make recovery of the deleted file(s) nearly impossible. The disadvantage being, this may substantially increase the amount of time to remove software.
To do this, Amnesia will overwrite files before deleting them. Files are overwritten three times, first with the byte pattern 0xff, then 0x00, and then 0xff again.
Turning on Secure Deletion
- Open the Preferences window.
- Enable the option to delete files securely.
- Remove any software product.
What is the Launch Services database?
The Launch Services database is maintained by the operating syetem and contains a cached list of all installed applications, and the file types they support. This is useful in applications like the Finder and its "Open With..." menu item option, or a file is double clicked, the Launch Services database is consulted to determine which application is necessary to read it.
Occasionally, the Launch Services database can become inaccurate due to the adding/removal of applications. Often it is updated automatically but no system is perfect. Amnesia can automatically rebuild the Launch Services database after a removal.
Rebuilding the Launch Services Database
- Open the Preferences window.
- Enable the option to rebuild the Launch Services database.
- Remove any software product.
