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We have a bunch of Mac at work that no longer require Xcode or command line tools so we'd like to remove them so the compilers aren't hanging around and we don't have to keep updating them when updates arrive.

Before Xcode was in the Mac App Store, there ware install and uninstall scripts (perl in /Developer) to remove the tools, but now that Xcode is an app store app you are left with the tools if you ever install them.

Can we clean this other than wiping the OS for macs running 10.10 and newer?

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Delete this one folder:

 /Library/Developer/CommandLineTools

This uninstall process is documented officially by Apple.

If you have installed these tools another way or have prompts to upgrade them, consider searching for files named like /System/Library/Receipts/com.apple.pkg.CLTools.bom since that may be a receipt for a past installation of the tools that needs to be removed. I have never seen one of these files, but wanted to link to this other answer in case it helps others. Note, these files do not remove the tools, they may govern the prompt that dev tools are in need of an update.

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  • 1
    However whenever there's a command line tools update, the App Store keeps showing up to update it.
    – adib
    Jun 13, 2018 at 22:53
  • Long time ago I used a DMG (needed to install an older version of the command line tools, but that's another story). Now I can't seem to get rid of it.
    – adib
    Jun 15, 2018 at 1:26
  • Aah @adib - That makes sense. This question was for a new / recent install where you only go to the App Store and install Xcode - that will download the tools for you without leaving a receipt in my experience.
    – bmike ♦
    Jun 15, 2018 at 19:55
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    Hence, what would be the answer to really uninstalling Command Line Tools?
    – adib
    Jun 16, 2018 at 13:25
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    @adlib: I had the same problem, just managed to fix it by deleting the bom files from /System/Library/Receipts: apple.stackexchange.com/questions/328034/… Perhaps that'll help you as well.
    – Kenny Lövrin
    Jun 18, 2018 at 9:15

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