Uninstalling BetterTouchTool from Mac OS X Yosemite. Can't delete because "App is currently open"

Question

I recently installed BetterTouchTool on my Mac and loved it, but one day when I tried to open it I was getting an error saying "The Application "BetterTouchTool" isn't open anymore." I thought I would just uninstall and then reinstall, but when I attempted to move it to Trash I got the error "The item "BetterTouchTool" can't be moved to the trash because it is open."

I opened up Activity Monitor and searched through all running processes, and I couldn't find anything associated to the application. Also tried searching through Finder to identify any remnants of the application but struck out. The application doesn't show up in my Applications folder, but only my Downloads folder. Has anyone seen this issue before with BTT or with another app?

Answer 1

I've had the same issue with the same app (coincidence?) and one solution that worked for me was to use an app called AppCleaner.

1. Open the AppCleaner
2. Drag the App you're trying to uninstall on top of the AppCleaner window.
3. You'll get a message "Cannot remove protected apps" with two buttons. Click on "Preferences..."
4. Un-tick "Protect running apps"
5. Drag the app again on top of the AppCleaner. You'll see now the list of files associated with it.
6. Click "Remove". Your app will be sent to the Trash.