Home/ Questions/Q 3949
Next
In Process

askthedev.com Latest Questions

Asked: 2024-09-24T19:10:55+05:30 In:

How can I completely uninstall Firefox from my Ubuntu system along with all of its add-ons, so it feels like it was never installed?

I’ve been having a bit of a frustrating time with Firefox on my Ubuntu system, and I’m hoping to get some advice from anyone who’s gone through something similar. So, here’s the deal: I’ve installed Firefox, but I feel like it’s just not cutting it for me anymore. I thought it would be a great browser with all the bells and whistles, but between the frequent updates that seem to break my favorite add-ons and the occasional slowdown, it’s just not what I need right now.

I want to dive into something else—maybe Chrome or GNOME Web? But here’s the catch: I want to make sure that when I uninstall Firefox, it’s like it never existed on my machine at all. I’m talking about leaving no trace: all the add-ons, my browsing history, bookmarks, profile settings, and even cached data—everything! I don’t want any remnants hanging around to mess with my new browser experience.

I’ve tried digging around in the Ubuntu Software Center and using some terminal commands, but I’m not 100% sure I’m hitting all the right places to wipe everything clean. How do I completely wipe the slate? I’ve heard horror stories about users uninstalling applications only to find that there are still files lurking in their home directory or hidden system paths. The last thing I want is to find some ancient Firefox files popping up when I least expect it.

So, I’m really reaching out to the community here. If anyone has gone through this process and can lay out the steps clearly, including any terminal commands or paths I need to check, I’d be super grateful. And if there are any helpful tips for setting up a new browser afterward, I could use those too! Thanks in advance for any guidance you can share!

Share

    Leave an answer

    You must login to add an answer.

    Need An Account,

    2 Answers



    1. Uninstalling Firefox Completely on Ubuntu

      How to Completely Uninstall Firefox on Ubuntu

      Looks like you’re ready to make the leap away from Firefox! Here’s a simple walkthrough to help you wipe it off your Ubuntu system like it never existed.

      1. Uninstall Firefox

      First off, you’ll want to uninstall Firefox using the terminal. Open your terminal and run the following command:

      sudo apt remove --purge firefox

      The `–purge` option is key here because it gets rid of config files as well.

      2. Remove Additional Files

      Now, Firefox sometimes leaves behind some directories in your home folder. You’ll want to clean those up too. Run these commands:

      rm -rf ~/.mozilla/firefox/
      rm -rf ~/.cache/mozilla/firefox/
      rm -rf ~/.config/mozilla/firefox/

      This removes all the Firefox profiles, cache, and other related configurations.

      3. Double Check

      You might want to check the following just in case:

      • ~/snap/firefox – If you installed Firefox as a Snap package
      • ~/.local/share/applications/ – Look for any .desktop files related to Firefox

      Delete any remnants you find!

      4. Install Your New Browser

      Go ahead and install Chrome or GNOME Web (or whatever you fancy). If you’re going for Chrome, you can download the .deb package from the official website and install it using:

      sudo dpkg -i google-chrome*.deb

      If you opted for GNOME Web, you can install it via the terminal:

      sudo apt install epiphany-browser

      5. Set Up and Enjoy!

      Once your new browser is installed, fire it up and customize it to your liking. Don’t forget to import any bookmarks you saved before. Enjoy browsing without any Firefox baggage!

      Hope this helps! Good luck on your new browsing adventure!



    2. To completely uninstall Firefox from your Ubuntu system and ensure that no remnants are left behind, you can follow these steps. First, open your terminal and run the following command to uninstall Firefox:

      sudo apt-get remove --purge firefox

      This command not only removes Firefox but also purges its configuration files. After that, you can check for any leftover files in your home directory. Specifically, look for the `.mozilla` directory, which contains your Firefox profiles, bookmarks, and add-ons. To delete this directory, use:

      rm -rf ~/.mozilla

      For additional cleanup, check the `.cache` directory with:

      rm -rf ~/.cache/mozilla

      Once you’ve cleared these directories, Firefox should be completely removed from your system. If you’re considering alternatives like Chrome or GNOME Web, installation can be straightforward. For Chrome, download the .deb package from the official site and install it using:

      sudo dpkg -i path/to/chrome.deb
sudo apt-get install -f

      For GNOME Web, you can use the Ubuntu Software Center or run:

      sudo apt-get install epiphany-browser

      This process will ensure a fresh start without any Firefox files lingering. Enjoy your new browsing experience!


    Related Questions