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Asked: 2024-09-25T02:33:46+05:30 In:

What is the process for thoroughly uninstalling a program along with all its associated files on Ubuntu?

I’ve been trying to clean up my Ubuntu system a bit, and I’ve hit a bit of a snag. I need to uninstall a program, but, honestly, I’m really not sure how to do it properly. I want to make sure I get rid of all those pesky associated files too. You know how some apps leave behind configuration files or cached data that just clutter up the system? I don’t want to have to deal with that later.

So, let’s say I want to uninstall an application – for example, maybe it’s something I thought I’d use a lot like a graphics editor or a fancy text editor, but now it’s just taking up space and I need to reclaim my hard drive. I know that on Ubuntu, I could just use the Ubuntu Software Center or even command line tools like `apt-get`, but I’m not really sure about those leftover files. How do I make sure all of that gets cleaned up too?

I’ve tried searching the web, but there always seems to be a different method suggested for specific applications, which makes it confusing. Is there a general process for doing this? Maybe someone here has a simple step-by-step guide that’s worked for them?

I’m also curious about whether there are tools or commands that help to search for left-behind files after an uninstallation. Do I need to look for hidden folders or something in my home directory? Any tips on what directories or files I should check to ensure that everything truly gets wiped?

I’d appreciate any advice you can share from your experiences or maybe just your tried-and-true method for thoroughly uninstalling software on Ubuntu. I’d love to hear how you guys handle this because I’m really looking to tidy things up and make sure my system is running smoothly. Looking forward to your suggestions!

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    2 Answers



    1. Uninstalling Software in Ubuntu

      How to Uninstall Software on Ubuntu

      If you want to uninstall a program in Ubuntu and not leave behind those pesky leftover files, here’s a simple step-by-step guide that might help!

      1. Using the Terminal

      First, you can use the terminal to uninstall applications. Open up your terminal and follow these steps:

      1. To remove a program, type the following command and replace package-name with the actual name of the application:
        2. sudo apt-get remove package-name
      2. But wait, there might be leftover configuration files. To remove those too, you can run:
        3. sudo apt-get purge package-name

      2. Cleaning Up After Uninstallation

      After you uninstalled the package, you wanna ensure no orphaned packages are clogging up your system. Use this command:

      sudo apt-get autoremove

      This will remove any packages that were installed as dependencies and are no longer needed.

      3. Finding Leftover Files

      Now, for those hidden files that might still be lurking around in your home directory, follow these tips:

      • Check for hidden directories (they start with a dot .) in your home directory. You can view these using:
        • ls -a ~
      • Look for folders that usually represent applications, like .config, .local, and/or .cache.
      • To search for the program’s files, you could use:
        • find ~ -name '*package-name*'
      • Carefully delete any leftover config files or cache files that may come up.

      4. Using GUI Tools

      If you prefer a graphical interface, the Ubuntu Software Center or Synaptic Package Manager are great tools. You can find and remove software along with associated files.

      5. Final Thoughts

      Once you have cleaned up, it’s a good idea to restart your computer to ensure everything is applied correctly. And that’s it! You should have a cleaner system without all that bulky leftover clutter. Good luck, and happy cleaning!



    2. To properly uninstall a program on Ubuntu and ensure that all associated files are removed, you can use the `apt-get` command via the terminal. First, open a terminal window and execute the command sudo apt-get remove --purge package-name. Replace package-name with the actual name of the application you want to uninstall. The --purge option not only removes the package but also deletes configuration files associated with it. After the uninstallation, it’s advisable to run sudo apt-get autoremove to remove any dependencies that were installed with the package and are no longer needed, helping you to reclaim additional disk space.

      For leftover files, especially in your home directory, you can manually check hidden folders that apps might use for configuration and cached data, typically prefixed with a dot (.). Look in directories like ~/.config/, ~/.local/share/, and ~/.cache/. You can use a command like ls -a to show hidden files. If you want a more automated approach, consider using tools like bleachbit, which can help clean up leftover files and cache from applications you’ve uninstalled. Always proceed with caution and ensure you have backups of any critical data before deleting files to prevent accidental data loss.


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