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How to Uninstall an Application in Ubuntu: A Masterclass

So, you’ve decided to part ways with an application on your Ubuntu system? Excellent! While installing software on Ubuntu is remarkably straightforward, the process of uninstalling can sometimes feel… less intuitive. But fear not! This guide is your comprehensive roadmap to removing applications cleanly and effectively from your Ubuntu machine. We’ll not only cover the basic methods but also delve into some advanced techniques and best practices to ensure your system remains lean and mean.

The straightforward answer to the question, “How to uninstall an application in Ubuntu?” is this: You can achieve this via the Ubuntu Software Center (GUI), the apt package manager (CLI), the snap package manager (CLI), or through a direct uninstall command provided by the application itself (CLI). The best method often depends on how the application was initially installed. Let’s explore each of these methods in detail.

Uninstalling Applications Using the Ubuntu Software Center (GUI)

The Ubuntu Software Center provides a user-friendly graphical interface for managing your applications. It’s the most accessible method for beginners.

Steps to Uninstall via the Software Center:

Open the Ubuntu Software Center: You can usually find it in your applications menu or by searching for “Software” in the Activities Overview (accessed by pressing the Super key, often the Windows key).
Navigate to the “Installed” tab: This section lists all the applications currently installed on your system.
Locate the application you want to uninstall: You can scroll through the list or use the search bar to find it quickly.
Click on the application: This will open the application’s details page.
Click the “Uninstall” button: A confirmation dialog will appear.
Confirm your decision: Click “Uninstall” again to initiate the uninstallation process. You might be prompted for your password to authorize the removal.

The Software Center will handle the rest, removing the application and associated files from your system.

Uninstalling Applications Using the `apt` Package Manager (CLI)

The apt (Advanced Package Tool) package manager is the backbone of Debian-based systems like Ubuntu. It’s a powerful command-line tool for installing, updating, and removing software packages. This method is crucial for applications installed using .deb packages or through official Ubuntu repositories.

Steps to Uninstall via `apt`:

Open a terminal: You can usually find it in your applications menu or by searching for “Terminal” in the Activities Overview.
Identify the package name: Before you can uninstall an application using apt, you need to know its package name. Sometimes, the application name differs from the package name. You can list all installed packages using the command: dpkg --list. Alternatively, you can use apt list --installed for a similar output. Filter the output using grep along with the application’s name (e.g., dpkg --list | grep firefox).
Use the apt remove command: To remove the application, use the following command, replacing <package_name> with the actual package name: sudo apt remove <package_name>. This command will remove the application’s binaries but leave its configuration files intact.
Use the apt purge command: To remove the application and its configuration files, use the purge option: sudo apt purge <package_name>. This is a more thorough approach and is often recommended when you don’t plan to reinstall the application in the future.
Clean up dependencies: After uninstalling, you might have orphaned dependencies (packages that were installed as dependencies of the removed application but are no longer needed). To remove these, run: sudo apt autoremove.
Update the package cache: It’s good practice to update the package cache after removing software: sudo apt update.

Important Note: Always use sudo before apt commands, as they require administrative privileges.

Uninstalling Applications Using the `snap` Package Manager (CLI)

Snap packages are self-contained software packages that can be installed and managed across different Linux distributions. If you installed an application using snap, you’ll need to use the snap command to uninstall it.

Steps to Uninstall via `snap`:

Open a terminal: As before, find it in your applications menu or through the Activities Overview.
List installed snaps: To see a list of all installed snap packages, use the command: snap list. This will show you the name of the snap you want to remove.
Use the snap remove command: To uninstall the snap package, use the following command, replacing <snap_name> with the actual name of the snap: sudo snap remove <snap_name>.
Consider removing revisions: Snap packages often retain previous revisions of the application. You can remove these using the --purge flag: sudo snap remove <snap_name> --purge. This will remove all data associated with the snap.

Important Note: Snap packages are generally sandboxed, meaning they have limited access to your system. Uninstalling a snap typically removes all its associated data and configuration files.

Uninstalling Applications Using Application-Specific Uninstallers (CLI)

Some applications, especially those installed from source or via custom installation scripts, may provide their own uninstallation scripts or commands. These are often located in the application’s installation directory or are added to your system’s PATH.

Steps to Uninstall via Application-Specific Uninstallers:

Locate the uninstaller: Check the application’s documentation or installation directory for an uninstaller script (e.g., uninstall.sh, uninstall.exe – though less common on Ubuntu).
Run the uninstaller: Open a terminal, navigate to the directory containing the uninstaller, and execute it. For example, if the uninstaller is named uninstall.sh, you would run: sudo ./uninstall.sh. You might need to make the script executable first using chmod +x uninstall.sh.

Important Note: This method is less common but is worth considering, especially for older or custom-installed applications.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify the process of uninstalling applications in Ubuntu:

1. How do I know which method was used to install an application?

There’s no single foolproof method, but here are some clues:

Ubuntu Software Center: If you installed it through the Software Center, it will be listed under the “Installed” tab.
apt: If you used apt install <package_name>, it’s an apt package.
snap: If you used snap install <snap_name>, it’s a snap package. Use snap list to verify.
Manual Installation: If you downloaded a .deb file and installed it using dpkg -i <file.deb>, or if you compiled from source, you likely need application-specific uninstall instructions.

2. What’s the difference between `apt remove` and `apt purge`?

apt remove removes the application’s binaries but leaves its configuration files intact. apt purge removes both the binaries and the configuration files. Use purge for a completely clean uninstall.

3. Why do I need to use `sudo`?

sudo grants you administrative privileges, which are required to modify system files, including installing and uninstalling software.

4. What are orphaned dependencies, and how do I remove them?

Orphaned dependencies are packages that were installed as dependencies of an application that has since been uninstalled but are no longer required by any other applications. You can remove them using the command: sudo apt autoremove.

5. Can I uninstall pre-installed applications?

Yes, you can uninstall most pre-installed applications using apt or snap, depending on how they were installed. However, be cautious when removing core system components, as this could destabilize your system.

6. How do I reinstall an application after uninstalling it?

You can reinstall an application using the same method you used to install it initially (Ubuntu Software Center, apt, snap, etc.).

7. What if the application doesn’t appear in the Ubuntu Software Center?

This usually means the application wasn’t installed through the Software Center. Try using apt or snap to uninstall it, or check for application-specific uninstall instructions.

8. I uninstalled an application, but its icon is still in the applications menu. How do I remove it?

This might be due to a cached icon. Try logging out and logging back in, or restarting your computer. If that doesn’t work, you might need to manually remove the desktop entry file (usually located in /usr/share/applications or ~/.local/share/applications).

9. Can I uninstall multiple applications at once using `apt`?

Yes, you can uninstall multiple applications at once by listing their package names separated by spaces in the apt remove or apt purge command: sudo apt remove package1 package2 package3.

10. Is it safe to remove all snap revisions?

Yes, it is generally safe to remove old snap revisions. However, if you suspect that a recent update caused issues, keeping an older revision might allow you to revert to a previous version.

11. What if the uninstall command fails?

If the uninstall command fails, check for error messages and try searching online for solutions. Common issues include dependency conflicts or insufficient permissions.

12. How can I prevent future installations of snap packages?

While Ubuntu leans heavily on snaps, you can prioritize apt by adjusting the package manager configuration. However, completely disabling snap is generally not recommended as it can impact system updates and functionality. Research “prefer apt over snap Ubuntu” for detailed guides if you choose to pursue this.

By understanding these methods and FAQs, you’re now equipped to confidently manage the applications on your Ubuntu system. Happy uninstalling!