Clicking Reset to Pre-TinkerTool state requires you to log off, and log back in to the system, so that all the changes you made can be reversed. In short, TinkerTool is a massive Mac OS X 10.7 system and application tweaking utility that makes changes to User Account files in order to apply UI and applications specific tweaks. Head over to the TinkerTool website and download the correct version of TinkerTool for your version of macOS. Once the file has downloaded, launch it and follow the onscreen instructions to install. Read the warning, and if you’re happy to proceed then click “Understood.” This will launch the main TinkerTool interface.
TinkerTool is an application that gives you access to additional preference settings Apple has built into macOS. This allows to activate hidden features in the operating system and in some of the applications delivered with the system.
The tool makes sure that preference changes can only affect the current user. You don't need administrative privileges to use the tool. With this design, it is no problem to use TinkerTool in professional networks where users have restricted permissions. The program will never change any component of the operating system, so the integrity of your system is not put at risk, and there will be no negative effect on system updates. Compliance with these security rules is additionally guaranteed by the application sandbox of macOS.
All preference settings changed by TinkerTool can be reset to Apple's defaults, or to the state that existed before using the tool. No dangerous background processes are used for TinkerTool's operation.
TinkerTool is electronically distributed software. You can download the product free of charge.
TinkerTool generations for older operating systems
TinkerTool is available for all generations of macOS, OS X, and Mac OS X. Please see our version overview for details.
TinkerTool running on macOS Mojave with 'General' preferences pane open. | |
| Initial release | December 7, 2010 |
|---|---|
| Stable release | |
| Operating system | macOS |
| Available in | Multilingual |
| Type | Utilities |
| License | Freeware |
| Website | www.bresink.com/osx/TinkerTool.html |
TinkerTool is a freeware application for macOS that allows the user to customise the system by exposing hidden preferences to a graphical user interface (GUI).[1] It is developed by German developer Marcel Bresink Software-Systeme. Its latest release is version 7.4.2, which is optimised for macOS Catalina and many features that came with it.[2]
Tinkertool Download
Features[edit]
TinkerTool gives users access to hidden system and application preferences that Apple has built into macOS, but not integrated into GUI preferences menus. Although users can typically access these through Terminal operations, TinkerTool assembles them and provides a GUI similar to Apple’s System Preferences application for easier access.
By using Apple’s hidden preferences, the application only commits changes that are reversible and affect the preferences of the current user account. Administrative privileges or background processing are not required. The application also supports a reset option to reset all preferences to Apple's defaults, or to the state that existed before using the application.
History[edit]
Initially, TinkerTool worked with all versions of macOS. However, over the years, compatibility with particular versions of macOS was spun off into separate applications: TinkerTool Classic, TinkerTool Classic Generation 2, TinkerTool 4, TinkerTool 5, TinkerTool 6, and the current TinkerTool. Support therefore goes back to Mac OS X 10.1 Puma and later.[3]
Versions[edit]
TinkerTool versions are specific to versions of macOS and are not backward compatible. The program will not work correctly if used with an OS for which it was not designed.
Tinkertown Tools
- Mac OS X 10.2 Jaguar: TinkerTool Classic, v3.9.5
- Mac OS X 10.3 Panther: TinkerTool Classic, v3.9.5
- Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger: TinkerTool Classic Generation 2, v4.5
- Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard: TinkerTool Classic Generation 2, v4.5
- Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard: TinkerTool 4, v4.97
- Mac OS X 10.7 Lion: TinkerTool 4, v4.97
- OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion: TinkerTool 4, v4.97
- OS X 10.9 Mavericks: TinkerTool 5, v5.7
- OS X 10.10 Yosemite: TinkerTool 5, v5.7
- OS X 10.11 El Capitan: TinkerTool 5, v5.7
- macOS 10.12 Sierra: TinkerTool 6, v6.5
- macOS 10.13 High Sierra: TinkerTool 6, v6.5
- macOS 10.14 Mojave: TinkerTool, v7.4.2
- macOS 10.15 Catalina: TinkerTool, v7.4.2
- macOS 11.1 Big Sur: TinkerTool, v8.0.0
The macOS Big Sur (11.1) build is actively maintained. However, all previous versions in support of past operating systems are still available for download from the developer's website.
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^Bresink, Marcel. 'TinkerTool: Description'. Software-Systeme. Retrieved 23 February 2019.CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
- ^Bresink, Marcel. 'TikerTool: What's new?'. Software-Systeme. Retrieved 23 February 2019.CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
- ^TinkerTool versions
External links[edit]