Deleting a file or document is pretty easy these days. Depending on whether you're using a Macintosh or Windows, just drag the image of the doomed document to the respective Trash or Shredder icon and be done with it. But when it comes to applications, things can get a bit more dicey.

Applications usually have a host of support files that are needed to make sure things run smoothly. For example, Microsoft's Word application has numerous support files such as default templates that make sure each new document is like the last one you created. Templates keep track of things such as margin widths, point sizes, font selections, contain macros and even complete page layouts. Then there are preferences that keep track of what attributes you selected such as if feedback sound is turned on, what kind of spelling and grammar support you prefer, and literally dozens of other choices you want the computer to remember. All of these customizations are stored in all sorts of files that may be scattered all over your hard drive, tucked away in sub-sub-sub-directories, in the Registry, and who knows where else.

You might not think this is of consequence to you but it can be. To often deleted applications can come back to haunt you in the form of unused or corrupted preference files that decide to wreak havoc on your brand new or updated application. Sometimes these orphaned configuration files and the data within can literally cripple some totally unrelated application function and you may be in for a devil of a time trying to figure out what went wrong. Plus they just take up room sitting there never to be used again. The clutter these orphaned files can create can be staggering after a period of time.

Fortunately for Windows users, Microsoft has provided a fairly good solution with their Add/Remove control panel that attempts to delete the application along with any of its related support files and markers. Unfortunately, it's not one hundred percent fool-proof but hey, what is these days?

Then there's the Macintosh. For all of its wonderfulness and its incredibly stable operating system, Mac OS X Tiger has no facility for removing applications other than the old drag and drop method. And given the operating system's ability to have multiple users generating multiple library folders and multiple preferences files along with cryptic file names, it's hard to know just what files belong to which application.

Delete the wrong thing and you could find yourself in a world of hurt.

Fortunately, there's a solution beginning. I say beginning because it was just released at last week's Macworld convention. It's called AppZapper and it does exactly what its name says.

Using AppZapper couldn't be more simple. The application's designers wanted to make this as painless as possible and they've done an outstanding job so far. As of this writing, they just came out with an update but don't worry as AppZapper can check for updates when you run it. When you run AppZapper, a small window that says "Drag Apps Here" appears on the desktop. That's it. Just drag any application you want to delete into the window and you'll see all of its related files and folders appear in that same window.

AppZapper tells you where the related files can be found and their size.

Click on the small magnifying glass next to the file and it appears in the finder folder where it is stored.

You can uncheck any individual file you might wish to keep at this point which is a nice touch. After all, you may recognize it to be something you don't want deleted. When you are ready, just click the Zap button and you hear a zap sound as all the files listed are instantly moved into the Trash.

That's a nice fail-safe in case you decide that you want to put something back where you found it at the last moment.

Finally, you can also tell AppZapper to prevent you from zapping default applications such as Apple's iTunes or iPhoto. Another prevents you from zapping anything that may be currently running. If it's currently running, trust me when I tell you that you more than likely won't want to be zapping it.

AppZapper is a cute little application that's worth its virtual weight in the agony and frustration it may save you when you're about to delete something. I found myself actually zapping things just because AppZapper made it fun. Besides, it was a breeze to do so and it was time for me to do some housecleaning anyway.

AppZapper can be downloaded with 5 free zaps before you have to pay for it.

You're sure to become zap-happy with this one. $12.95 buys you the application with free upgrades for life.