How to Completely Remove Java from Your Ubuntu System

It sounds like you’re ready to reclaim some space on your Ubuntu system by getting rid of Java! No worries, I got you covered. Here’s a simple step-by-step guide to help you clean your system.

Step 1: Check Installed Java Versions

First, let’s find out what you have installed. Open a terminal and run:

java -version

This will show you the version of Java that’s currently set. You can also check for installed packages with:

dpkg --list | grep -i jdk

or

dpkg --list | grep -i jre

Step 2: Remove Java Packages

Once you know which packages are installed, you can proceed to remove them. Use the following command, replacing package_name with the actual names of the packages you found:

sudo apt remove --purge package_name

You might want to remove multiple packages, so you can list them all in one command:

sudo apt remove --purge openjdk-*-jdk openjdk-*-jre oracle-java* 

Step 3: Clean Up Residual Files

After removing the packages, let’s clean up any unnecessary files left behind:

sudo apt autoremove

And to clean up the cache:

sudo apt clean

Step 4: Check Environment Variables

Next, you’ll want to make sure there are no environment variables pointing to Java. Open your bash configuration file:

nano ~/.bashrc

Look for lines like export JAVA_HOME=... or export PATH=...: that reference Java, and remove those lines. Then, apply the changes:

source ~/.bashrc

Step 5: Final Checks

Finally, you can double-check if anything is left by running:

java -version

It should say something like “command not found” if Java is fully uninstalled.

Pitfalls to Watch Out For

• Don’t forget to check for multiple installations; you might have other versions hanging around.
• Be careful when editing your .bashrc or other configuration files; it’s easy to accidentally delete something important.

You’re all set! With these steps, your system should be free of Java, giving you that clean slate you wanted. Happy coding with your new tools!