How to how to uninstall package in linux

Why Uninstall Packages in Linux?

There are several reasons why you may need to uninstall packages in Linux:

• Free Up Space: Removing unused software can help reclaim disk space.
• System Optimization: Keeping only necessary packages helps maintain a clean and efficient system.
• Fixing Issues: Some packages might cause conflicts or errors that require uninstallation.
• Security: Unnecessary or outdated packages may pose security risks, so it’s crucial to uninstall them when no longer needed.

Now, let’s explore the different methods of uninstalling packages in Linux, depending on your distribution and package manager.

Uninstalling Packages in Linux Using the Terminal

The terminal is one of the most powerful ways to uninstall packages in Linux. Below are the methods for popular Linux distributions using their respective package managers.

1. Uninstalling Packages with `apt` (Debian, Ubuntu, Mint)

If you’re using a Debian-based distribution like Ubuntu, Mint, or others, the apt package manager is the most common tool for uninstalling software.

To uninstall a package using apt, run the following command:

sudo apt remove package_name

Replace package_name with the name of the package you want to uninstall. For example, to remove Firefox, you would run:

sudo apt remove firefox

If you also want to remove the configuration files associated with the package, use the purge command instead:

sudo apt purge package_name

This will ensure that all files related to the package are deleted.

2. Uninstalling Packages with `yum` (CentOS, Fedora, RHEL)

For Red Hat-based distributions like CentOS, Fedora, and RHEL, the yum package manager is typically used for managing packages.

To uninstall a package with yum, use the following command:

sudo yum remove package_name

For example, to remove the httpd web server, you would use:

sudo yum remove httpd

If you are using a newer version of Fedora, dnf is the default package manager, and the command is the same:

sudo dnf remove package_name

3. Uninstalling Packages with `zypper` (openSUSE)

In openSUSE, zypper is the command-line tool used for package management.

To uninstall a package with zypper, run the following command:

sudo zypper remove package_name

For example, to remove the vim editor, use:

sudo zypper remove vim

4. Uninstalling Packages with `pacman` (Arch Linux)

For Arch Linux and its derivatives (like Manjaro), the pacman package manager is used to manage packages.

To uninstall a package with pacman, use:

sudo pacman -R package_name

To remove both the package and its configuration files, use:

sudo pacman -Rns package_name

5. Uninstalling Snap Packages

If you installed the package using snap, you can remove it using the following command:

sudo snap remove package_name

For example, to remove the vlc snap package, you would run:

sudo snap remove vlc

6. Uninstalling Flatpak Packages

If you used flatpak to install a package, you can uninstall it using:

flatpak uninstall package_name

For example, to remove the org.videolan.VLC Flatpak package, use:

flatpak uninstall org.videolan.VLC

Uninstalling Packages Using a Graphical Package Manager

If you prefer not to use the terminal, you can uninstall packages using the graphical package manager that comes with your Linux distribution. Here’s how to do it in some popular Linux desktop environments:

1. Ubuntu Software (Ubuntu, Mint)

In Ubuntu-based distributions, the Ubuntu Software app allows you to easily uninstall software. Here’s how:

1. Open the Ubuntu Software application.
2. Search for the package you want to uninstall.
3. Click on the package, then select Remove.
4. Confirm the removal when prompted.

2. GNOME Software (Fedora, RHEL, Debian)

Fedora and other GNOME-based distributions use GNOME Software for package management:

1. Open GNOME Software.
2. Search for the package you want to remove.
3. Click on the package and choose Remove.
4. Confirm the uninstallation.

3. Discover (KDE Plasma)

If you’re using the KDE Plasma desktop, you can use the Discover software manager:

1. Open the Discover application.
2. Search for the package you want to uninstall.
3. Click on the package and select Remove.
4. Confirm the removal.

Conclusion

Uninstalling packages in Linux is a straightforward task, whether you prefer to use the command line or a graphical tool. The package manager varies depending on the distribution you’re using, but the overall process is the same: find the package, issue the remove command, and confirm the uninstallation.

By keeping your system free from unnecessary software, you can optimize performance and ensure that you’re only running the software you truly need.