In previous versions of os x, you would find a file named com.apple.dockfixup.plist located in /Library/Preferences.  In OS X Yosemite, that file was moved to:

/System/Library/CoreServices/Dock.app/Contents/Resources/com.apple.dockfixup.plist

 

Using your favorite plist editor, you can edit what will show up in the dock by removing items from the add-app and system-app keys.

Once done, you will need to edit another file located in:

/System/Library/CoreServices/Dock.app/Contents/en.lproj/default.plist

 

Using your favorite plist editor, you can edit what will show up in the dock by removing items from the persistent-apps keys.

After removing the unwanted items from both plist files, create a new user to test your work.  You should no longer see any of the items that you removed in the dock.  

Feel free to play around with some of the other keys in the plist files.  You can add default folders to the dock as well.

 POST UPDATE:  11-8-14

 

The following commands will net the same result as the above.

This will delete the dock apps:

/usr/libexec/PlistBuddy -c "delete:add-app" /System/Library/CoreServices/Dock.app/Contents/Resources/com.apple.dockfixup.plist

 

This will delete the dock folders:

/usr/libexec/PlistBuddy -c "delete:add-doc" /System/Library/CoreServices/Dock.app/Contents/Resources/com.apple.dockfixup.plist

Marianne Carroll

Marianne began her professional career as a musician, recording and touring as a violinist with the 70’s disco sensation CHIC. She then moved into music management as the Executive Director of the Aston Magna Foundation for Music, which sponsored a Summer classical music festival and NEA-funded cross-cultural educational Academy in the Berkshires as well as a concert series at the Metropolitan Museum.

Speak with an Apple Certified expert today

We’d love to discuss your business challenges, even if you’re not sure what your next step is. No pitch, no strings attached.

Let's Talk