This post describes steps one can take to remove or uninstall software packages in Ubuntu Linux.
In our previous post we showed you how to install additional applications and software packages in Ubuntu Linux.
Applications and software that you can use and manage with Ubuntu Linux desktop typically have graphic user interface (GUI). You can use Ubuntu Software to remove applications that you no longer use.
You may also wish to remove software that does not have a GUI. To remove such software, you can use Synaptic or the command line. Note that Synaptic does not list snaps.
Applications are available in two formats: snap packages and Debian packages. Software packages that are available in both formats, Ubuntu Software will list the snap packages first.
Below is how to remove or uninstall software in Ubuntu Linux.
How to uninstall software in Ubuntu Linux
As described above, you can use Ubuntu Software to remove applications that you no longer use in Ubuntu Linux.
Below is how to do that.
Click the Ubuntu Software icon in the Dock, or search for Software in the Activities overview search bar.
When Ubuntu Software launches, search for an application, or select a category and find an application from the list.
By default, it will open in the Explore tab. Installed tab includes all installed software. The Updates tab shows list of software that have updates available to be installed.
In Ubuntu Software app, click the Installed button at the top.
Find the application that you want to remove by using the search box or by looking through the list of installed applications.
Select the application and click Uninstall or Remove by clicking the delete button.
Confirm that you want to remove the application.
You will be asked to authenticate by entering your password. Once you have done that the application will be removed.
Some applications depend on other applications to work properly. If you remove an application that other packages depend on, all dependent applications will be removed as well.
Do this for every application you want to remove in Ubuntu Linux.
How to remove package on the command line console
If you prefer to use the comment line console, follow the steps below.
Just like above where you search for all installed packages, you can use the apt list command to list all packages that are installed.
Example, run the commands below to list all install Debian packages.
sudo apt list --installed
That should list all installed package.
To remove a package, you find on the list, simply run the apt-get or apt command to uninstall it.
sudo apt remove package_name
Replace package_name with the package you wish to uninstall.
To uninstall multiple packages, run the commands below
sudo apt remove package_name_1 package_name_2
To completely remove packages and their configuration settings file, you use apt get with purge options.
example,
sudo apt purge package_name
For Snap package, you can list using the commands below:
snap list
Remove Snap packages using the commands below:
sudo snap remove package_name
That should do it!
Conclusion:
This post showed you how to uninstall or remove software packages in Ubuntu Linux. If you find any error above or have something to add, please use the comment form below.
