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Asked: 2024-09-25T05:01:40+05:30 In:

What steps should I follow to uninstall Node.js from my Ubuntu 16.04 system?

So, I’ve been messing around with Node.js on my Ubuntu 16.04 setup for a while now, and to be honest, it’s starting to feel a bit cluttered. I think I might want to uninstall it because I’ve realized I don’t actually need it for my current projects. The thing is, I’m not super confident about how to go about it without accidentally breaking something or leaving a mess behind.

I know there are a few different ways to install Node.js, whether it’s through a package manager like apt or using a version manager like nvm. But that’s kind of where my knowledge starts to fade. Do I need to look out for anything specific depending on how I originally set it up?

Also, my concern is about the dependencies or any associated files that might still linger on my system after the uninstallation. I’ve heard that if you don’t remove everything related to it, you might run into issues later if you decide to reinstall or if it messes with other applications.

What’s the best step-by-step strategy to completely uninstall Node.js? Should I check something in the terminal, or is there a graphical method that’s safer? And what about all those packages I might have installed globally? Do I need to do anything extra to clean those up too?

If anyone can share a detailed guide or even just some personal tips on what worked for you, I’d really appreciate it. I just want to ensure that I do this right and don’t end up with more problems down the line. Thanks in advance!

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    2 Answers



    1. Uninstalling Node.js on Ubuntu 16.04

      How to Uninstall Node.js on Ubuntu 16.04

      If you want to uninstall Node.js from your Ubuntu 16.04 system, there are some things you need to consider based on how you originally installed it.

      1. Check How You Installed Node.js

      Node.js can be installed using different methods:

      • APT package manager: If you used a command like sudo apt install nodejs
      • NVM (Node Version Manager): If you installed Node.js with nvm

      2. Uninstalling Using APT

      If you installed Node.js via APT, you can easily remove it by running the following commands in the terminal:

              sudo apt remove nodejs
        sudo apt purge nodejs

      This will remove Node.js and its configuration files. To remove any unused packages, you can run:

              sudo apt autoremove

      3. Uninstalling Using NVM

      If you used NVM, uninstalling Node.js is even easier. Just run:

              nvm uninstall node

      This will remove all versions of Node.js installed through NVM.

      4. Removing Global Packages

      If you installed any global packages (like npm install -g package-name), you might want to clean those up too. If you used APT, global packages are usually in:

              /usr/local/lib/node_modules

      You can remove them manually with:

              sudo rm -rf /usr/local/lib/node_modules

      5. Verify Removal

      After uninstalling, you can check if Node.js is completely gone by running:

              node -v

      If it says something like command not found, you’re all set!

      6. Concerns About Leftovers

      To avoid leaving any lingering files, you can also search for Node.js-related files using:

              find / -name "*node*"

      Be careful with what you delete; make sure it’s related to Node.js.

      7. Consider Future Needs

      If you think you might need Node.js later, it might be worth keeping NVM installed, as it allows for easy reinstallation of Node.js versions.

      Final Tips

      Take your time with each step, and back up anything important just in case. You got this!




    2. Uninstalling Node.js on Ubuntu 16.04

      To completely uninstall Node.js from your Ubuntu 16.04 system, the first step is determining how it was installed. If you installed it using the apt package manager, you can use the following terminal command to remove it: sudo apt remove nodejs. This command will uninstall Node.js, but may leave behind configuration files. To ensure a cleaner uninstallation, you can follow up with sudo apt purge nodejs. In case you used a version manager like nvm, simply run nvm uninstall to remove the specific version of Node.js that you have installed. It’s also advisable to check any global packages you may have installed with the command npm list -g --depth=0 and remove them individually if you wish through npm uninstall -g .

      After you’ve removed Node.js, ensure that all lingering files are taken care of. Check for and remove any remaining Node.js files by searching with which node to locate any executables and which npm for the package manager. If these commands return paths, verify their existence and delete them if necessary. Furthermore, you might want to inspect your home directory for any .npm or .nvm folders that might contain global packages or cached data. With these clean-up steps, you can minimize the chance of running into issues down the line, whether you keep Node.js uninstalled or decide to reinstall it in the future.


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