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Been having spinning wheels in Safari (Version 10.0.3 (12602.4.8), on Sierra 10.12.2) for the past few weeks. Wondering if there's a way to completely delete Safari, ( first exporting/saving bookmarks file), and then reinstalling a fresh copy. I've tried removing the Safari pref folder, the plist file, cache, etc.
1. I suspect the best way to remove Safari totally would be via free App Cleaner (or AppZapper, etc).
2. Where does one download a fresh copy of Safari? I don't see it in the App Store.
(I do have other browsers, but just prefer Safari)
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Apple has gone the Microsoft route and now considers Safari part of the OS. They even moved the default browser prefs to Safari prefs instead of the former 'Internet' prefs so that you can not set a default browser without Safari.
Short answer - you need to reinstall the entire OS. It's the only way to be sure.
Other suggestions - remove all extensions and add-ons and see how things look. I had the same problems with my preferred Firefox and just shut down all extensions except Adblock and it has made a HUGE difference.
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dang. Was afraid of that.
I'm kind of headed in a nuke and pave direction anyway. It's been 2 years since I did it and I can see weird glitches going on. I may do it this weekend. Thanks.
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Disable Extensions in the Safari pref's.
Run a malware scan with
Malwarebytes.
Enable the debug menu and use it to clear Safari's caches.
Clear Safari's history.
Reboot.
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tuqqer wrote:
well crap. It found some Genieo files in there (basically made by the same company as MacKeeper).
Not the same people, but often distributed together.
Glad you found the problem.
