Unable to delete caches on iMac

You have successfully removed Mullvad. Wireguard is still in your Applications folder and that will need to be moved to the trash as well. Wireguard also works with ProtonVPN, but requires an additional installation that will not be removed when you delete Wireguard.

It is that ProtonVPN System Extension that is difficult to remove. I will post the steps to remove that Extension, but you absolutely need a working backup in case things go wrong, which is always possible when using Terminal. To be honest, I do not know if Sequoia has made the process easier as I have only needed to do this with Sonoma and may also take some heat for posting these steps, but I also welcome anyone else's input. This is why it is recommended to use the uninstaller when removing the VPN, but that appears to no longer be available. In most cases it is simpler to just recommend a clean install of the OS, but here goes:

• BOOT INTO RECOVERY MODE

Hold power button while starting up until Options button appears. Click the button and continue, you may be asked to choose your startup drive.

• DISABLE SIP

In the menu bar of the Recovery Mode, choose Utilities > Terminal.

Enter the command "csrutil disable"

Quit Terminal by going to Terminal > Quit

• RESTART
• OPEN TERMINAL IN YOUR UTILITIES FOLDER

Enter the command "systemextensionsctl list". This will give you a list of the extensions including the ProtonVPN. You will want to look for the Team ID and Bundle ID and use them in the next command.

Type "systemextensionsctl uninstall TEAMID BUNDLEID" substituting the TEAMID and BUNDLEID with the ones from above. The spaces matter when typing in that command. Quit Terminal.

• BOOT INTO RECOVERY MODE USING THE FIRST STEP
• ENABLE SIP

In the menu bar of the Recovery Mode, choose Utilities > Terminal.

Enter the command "csrutil enable"

Quit Terminal by going to Terminal > Quit

• RESTART

You may be asked to enter your Administrator Password for these commands which is the same as your login password and also be aware that the password is not visible when entered in Terminal. Post a follow up EtreCheck report to make sure it has been removed successfully.

I cannot stress enough to not install any of these types of apps in the future:

• Cleaners
• Optimizers
• AntiVirus
• VPN (Unless specifically required for a work or school environment)

After further review, it does appear the Mullvad VPN may be using a modern installation where the LaunchDaemon is part of the Application bundle. According to the EtreCheck report, it is in your Application folder and the app name that contains that file is Mullvad VPN. Do you see it there?

The ProtonVPN that is listed as a System Extension is the one that is difficult to remove. The easiest way is by using the uninstaller included with the app that installed it. The other method involves using Terminal and disabling SIP (System Integrity Protection), which is possible, but those instructions are not commonly given here as Terminal is only intended to be used by experienced users and Apple does not include those steps in any Support Articles.

You could try starting up in Safe Mode and try to empty the Trash from there. I imagine one of the cache files is in use.

Why did you delete a cache? It is generally counterproductive unless it is actually corrupt, which is rare.

DODGE01CHALLENGERSRT01_01 wrote:

I do not it came from I think it was from here

https://www.imymac.com/powermymac/

That looks like a garbage app....I would be highly suspect

Uninstall all third party apps that are Cleaners/Optimizers/VPN/Anti-Virus

all known to cause issues on the macOS

DODGE01CHALLENGERSRT01_01 wrote:

Well how do I find any left over files?

The best way to identify the files and see where they were installed is by posting the free EtreCheck report using the Additional Text option when posting. The report contains no personal information and is used frequently on this support site to assist in identifying problematic files installed in System folders.

How to use the Add Text Feature When Post… - Apple Community

There are no left over files from the PowerMyMac installation. The multiple VPN apps may be problematic but not the source of the issue with the Cache files. Of the 4 listed below, Proton and Mullvad are the ones that are remnant files due to incomplete removal.

• ProtonVPN OpenVPN - System Extensions can be difficult to remove and is best done with the uninstaller provided by the Developer.
• DuckDuckGo VPN Network Extension - Not necessarily problematic and appears to be installed from the App Store which makes removal very easy. Just another duplicative VPN.
• net.mullvad.daemon.plist - Located at /Library/LaunchDaemons and is not signed as it should be. Removal of this one is simple and just need to go to Finder > Go > Go to Folder, and enter /Library/LaunchDaemons, to find the file and drag it to the trash.
• WireGuard.app - Another VPN, but also easily removed since it was installed by the App Store.

I understand, that it why it is recommended to do a clean install or use the uninstaller of the app to remove the System Extension. I don't know the app that was used to install that System Extension,, because there are many versions of ProtonVPN and in the report it says "Application Not Found". That just leaves you with 3 options:

• Clean Install
• Leave the System Extension
• Attempt to manually remove it

Agreed, everything there is junk and hopefully the damage has not been done already. Similar to the CleanMyMac app that has earned the name here of BrickMyMac due to the problems users have encountered when they have used it.

DODGE01CHALLENGERSRT01_01 wrote:

I cannot delete this cache how to delete if was in my trash cannot delete it?

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

?

what cache....from where?

DODGE01CHALLENGERSRT01_01 wrote:

It does not show up there?

What doesn’t show up. None of this makes any sense.