How to uninstall Mac OS X GUI permanently

genewolfe · 10-23-2008, 09:04 PM

Mac OS 10.5.5
MacBook

I'd like to uninstall or otherwise make it impossible or at least very difficult to access the GUI in Mac OS X, so as to force any user, even a user with admin privileges, to use the cli only.

I've read about the >console and /etc/ttys methods but I'm looking for a more permanent option. The /etc/ttys method is undone by editing a few lines in a single file.

I realize I could install a different operating system such as slackware linux and choose not to install a GUI but I'd prefer to uninstall the GUI from Mac OS X instead if that's possible.

Thanks in advance.

hayne · 10-24-2008, 12:13 AM

One more permanent solution would be to delete the files that are used by the GUI-parts of OS X. E.g. /System/Library/Frameworks/ApplicationServices.framework

Mikey-San · 10-24-2008, 12:46 AM

Is there really any point to this? Just install Linux or a BSD.

benwiggy · 10-24-2008, 07:09 AM

There have been other threads about this, but I suspect that OS X is so woven together that it would be quite difficult.

You can download the Darwin source code and install that from scratch.
http://www.opensource.apple.com/darwinsource/
http://www.puredarwin.org/

What will your users be using the computers to do?

acme.mail.order · 10-24-2008, 07:34 AM

Archiving (or just deleting) /System/Library/CoreServices/Finder.app should effectively kill access to the GUI. Might also cause interesting cascading errors. test on a disposable system and report back.

10-23-2008, 09:04 PM	#1
genewolfe Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 1	How to uninstall Mac OS X GUI permanently Mac OS 10.5.5 MacBook I'd like to uninstall or otherwise make it impossible or at least very difficult to access the GUI in Mac OS X, so as to force any user, even a user with admin privileges, to use the cli only. I've read about the >console and /etc/ttys methods but I'm looking for a more permanent option. The /etc/ttys method is undone by editing a few lines in a single file. I realize I could install a different operating system such as slackware linux and choose not to install a GUI but I'd prefer to uninstall the GUI from Mac OS X instead if that's possible. Thanks in advance.

10-24-2008, 12:13 AM	#2
hayne Site Admin Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Montreal Posts: 31,958	One more permanent solution would be to delete the files that are used by the GUI-parts of OS X. E.g. /System/Library/Frameworks/ApplicationServices.framework __________________ hayne.net/macosx.html

10-24-2008, 12:46 AM	#3
Mikey-San Hall of Famer Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 3,541	Is there really any point to this? Just install Linux or a BSD. __________________ COMPUTER TYPE SOME SPECIFICATIONS I COPIED FROM THE BOX STUFF I INSTALLED ALL BY MYSELF "WITTY QUOTE"

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10-24-2008, 07:09 AM	#4
benwiggy League Commissioner Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 5,071	There have been other threads about this, but I suspect that OS X is so woven together that it would be quite difficult. You can download the Darwin source code and install that from scratch. http://www.opensource.apple.com/darwinsource/ http://www.puredarwin.org/ What will your users be using the computers to do?

10-24-2008, 07:34 AM	#5
acme.mail.order League Commissioner Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Tokyo Posts: 6,057	Archiving (or just deleting) /System/Library/CoreServices/Finder.app should effectively kill access to the GUI. Might also cause interesting cascading errors. test on a disposable system and report back.