How to Use Linux Uninstaller on Ubuntu [5 Easy Ways]

Linux Uninstaller on Ubuntu is a powerful package management tool that can remove software packages from your system. It can eliminate associated application files, configuration files, dependencies, and libraries. However, improper uninstallation can leave behind files that may cause conflicts with other software and consume storage space, leading to performance issues. To help you out, I will guide you through the basic and advanced methods of using Linux Uninstaller on Ubuntu in the article below.

How to Use Linux Uninstaller

You can use Linux Uninstaller either from GUI or Terminal app to remove app files, config files, dependencies, and libraries. To help you with this process, here are 5 easy methods to use the Linux Uninstaller on Ubuntu:

1. Use the Ubuntu Software Center

Ubuntu Software Center provides a graphical user interface (GUI) that makes it easy for users to remove software packages. This method is especially useful for users who prefer a point-and-click interface over using the Terminal. Here’s how to use the Linux Uninstaller via Ubuntu Software Center:

1. Head to the Applications menu on your Ubuntu desktop.

2. Search for the Ubuntu Software from the search bar and click on it to open.

3. Click the Installed tab at the top of the screen.

4. Scroll down and find the software package that you want to uninstall, and double-click on it.

5. Once you double-click the software package you want to uninstall, you will see a screen that provides you with some basic information about the package, such as its name, version, and size. To uninstall the selected software package, simply click the trash can icon.

6. If the prompt asks whether you want to uninstall the selected software. Click Uninstall.

7. You may be prompted to enter your administrator password to confirm the action. Once you have entered your password and confirmed the removal, the software package will be uninstalled from your system.

2. Use Synaptic Interface

Another method to use Linux Uninstaller is to install the synaptic package manager. Synaptic is a graphical package management tool that allows you to easily manage software packages on your Ubuntu system, including uninstalling software packages. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to use Linux Uninstaller through the Synaptic package manager:

1. In the Terminal app, run the following command to install Synaptic on your Linux system:

sudo apt-get install synaptic

2. Enter your administrator password when prompted.

3. Type y and press Enter to continue the installation process.

4. Once Synaptic is installed on your system, search for Synaptic in the Ubuntu dashboard and click on it.

5. Enter your password to authenticate and run the Synaptic package on your Linux machine.

6. Use the search bar to find the software package you want to uninstall.

7. Right-click on the package and select Mark for Removal from the drop-down list.

8. Click the Mark button to mark the selected software package.

9. Now, navigate to the Edit menu at the top and click Apply Marked Changes to remove the marked software packages.

10. Finally, click the Apply button to confirm the uninstallation of the marked software packages.

3. Use apt-get remove Command

While Linux Uninstaller provides a simple and straightforward way to uninstall software packages, sometimes you may need Terminal commands. As the apt-get package is generally pre-installed with all Ubuntu versions, you can use these commands to remove unwanted files from your system. Here’s how to do it:

1. Press Ctrl + Alt + T to open the Terminal app and execute the command:

sudo apt-get remove [package_name]

Replace [package_name] with the name of the package you want to uninstall.

2. You may be prompted to enter your administrator password. If so, enter it and press Enter.

3. Then, to remove any leftover dependencies, run the following command:

sudo apt-get autoremove

4. Wait for any leftover dependencies to be removed from your system. But if your system does not have any leftover dependencies, you’ll see the following output:

4. Use apt-get purge Command

Alternatively, you can use the purge option with the apt-get command to remove not only the package files but also any associated configuration files and dependencies. Here is how you can use the purge option in the Terminal:

1. Launch the Terminal app and run the following command:

sudo apt-get purge [package_name]

Replace [package_name] with the name of the package you want to uninstall.

2. You may be prompted to ask about uninstallation. If so, enter y and press Enter.

3. Now, to completely remove a package, its associated configuration files, and any dependencies that are no longer needed, run the following command:

sudo apt-get autoremove

4. Once all the dependencies files are removed, you see the similar output:

5. Use the dpkg Command

Another method to use Linux Uninstaller is to use the dpkg command-line tool. This is a low-level command-line tool to manage software packages on Ubuntu and other Debian-based Linux distributions. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to use Linux Uninstaller through the dpkg command:

1. Run the Terminal app and type in the following command to search for the installed package:

dpkg -l | grep [package_name]

Replace [package_name] with the name of the package you want to remove.

2. Press Enter to execute the command and wait for the output to show up to note down the exact package name from the output.

3. Run the following command to remove the package:

sudo dpkg -r [package_name]

Replace [package_name] with the exact package name and version number.

4. Wait for the package to be removed from your system. If done correctly, you’ll get the following output:

6 Best Practices to Use Linux Uninstaller on Ubuntu

Now that you know how to use Linux Uninstaller on Ubuntu, let’s move on to discuss the 6 best practices for managing your software packages on your Linux machine. This includes:

• 🔍 Double-check package name before uninstalling: Before uninstalling a package, confirm its name using dpkg -l | grep [package_name] in the Terminal app to avoid uninstalling the wrong package.
• 💻 Be cautious with the purge option: Use the remove option instead of purge to avoid removing configuration files that might contain important data or settings.
• 📖 Consult Ubuntu documentation or seek help from online forums: Visit the Ubuntu website for official documentation or search online for Ubuntu forums and communities for help.
• 🔄 Keep the system up-to-date with the latest updates and patches: Use sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade to install all available updates and sudo apt-get install unattended-upgrades to install security patches.
• 🔒 Only install software from trusted sources: Use Ubuntu Software Center or official Ubuntu repositories with sudo apt-get install [package_name] to ensure the software is from trusted sources.
• 🗑️ Remove unused software packages regularly: Use dpkg -l to list all installed packages and sudo apt-get remove [package_name] remove unused packages regularly to keep the system optimized.

To Sum Up

Using Linux Uninstaller on Ubuntu is an essential part of managing your software packages and keeping your system clean and efficient. By following the steps outlined in this guide and following best practices for software management, you can ensure that your Ubuntu system runs smoothly and efficiently. If you have any questions or issues, don’t hesitate to seek help from online communities or the official Ubuntu documentation.

To learn more about package management in Ubuntu, check out my articles on how to fix the held broken packages error, install a specific version of the package, or search for a particular package. By staying informed and learning more about Linux package management, you can ensure that your system runs efficiently and effectively.

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