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Need to remove a program you've installed on your Ubuntu system? You have several options, and they are all very easy. This tutorial will teach you how to remove software packages from Ubuntu Linux from the terminal using apt-get, and, if you prefer using a GUI, through the Ubuntu Software app. We'll also show you how to uninstall Ubuntu from your PC.
Steps
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1Open Terminal . You should see the Terminal app icon on the left side of the screen; if not, click the Ubuntu icon in the top-left corner of the screen, type terminal into the search bar, and click Terminal when it appears. [1] X Research source [Image:Uninstall Ubuntu Software Step 1 Version 4.jpg|center]]
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Open a list of your currently installed programs. Type dpkg -l into Terminal, then press ↵ Enter . [2] X Research sourceAdvertisement
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Find the program that you want to uninstall. You'll need to note the official name of the program file rather than the name of the program itself (e.g., "avg.exe" rather than AVG Antivirus).
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Enter the "apt-get" command. Type sudo apt-get --purge remove program into Terminal—making sure to use the program's actual name instead of "program"—and press ↵ Enter . [3] X Research source
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Confirm the deletion. Type in y and press ↵ Enter . Your program will begin to uninstall itself. Once it finishes, you can close Terminal. [4] X Research source
- This process may take a while to complete depending on the size of the program.
- If your program isn't properly removed using the apt-get command, try using sudo aptitude remove program instead.
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Open Ubuntu Software. Its app icon resembles an orange suitcase with a white "A" on it. Ubuntu Linux comes with this built-in software manager, allowing you to remove programs in just a few clicks. [5] X Research source
- If you can't find Ubuntu Software, click the Ubuntu logo in the upper-left corner of the screen, type ubuntu software into the search bar, and click the Ubuntu Software app icon.
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Click the Installed tab. This computer-shaped tab is at the top of the Ubuntu Software window. [6] X Research source
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Find the program that you want to uninstall. Scroll through the list of installed programs until you arrive at the one that you want to uninstall, or type the name of an installed program into the search bar in the top-right corner of the window.
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Confirm the decision if prompted. If asked to confirm, click Remove again, or click OK .
- The prompt that you see may vary slightly depending on your version of Ubuntu.
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Close Ubuntu Software. Your program should now be uninstalled.
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Make sure that you have a Windows CD or USB drive. On a computer that's only running Linux, the easiest way to uninstall Ubuntu is by reformatting your computer using an installation CD. [8] X Trustworthy Source Microsoft Support Technical support and product information from Microsoft. Go to source
- Ubuntu typically isn't installed as the only operating system on a Mac.
- To create a Windows CD on Ubuntu: insert the CD into your computer, download the ISO from the Windows download site , right-click the ISO, click Write to Disc... , select your disc, and click Create Image .
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Insert the CD into the computer. Make sure that the CD's logo is facing up when you do so.
- Skip this step if you created a Windows CD in the previous step.
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Restart your computer . Click the Settings gear in the top-right corner of the screen, click Shut Down... at the bottom of the resulting drop-down menu, and click the Restart icon in the pop-up menu.
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Select a time and language, then click Next . You'll use the drop-down menus in the middle of the Windows Setup window to select your preferred language and time zone.
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Enter your Windows 10 product key , then click Next . Type your product key into the text field near the bottom of the window. [11] X Research source
- You can also click the I don't have a product key link here if you'd like to enter the product key later. If you do this, you'll need to select a version of Windows before proceeding.
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Check the "I accept" box, then click Next . Doing so will accept Microsoft's terms of use and take you to the next page.
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Click the Custom option. It's in the middle of the page.
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Delete the Ubuntu drive. Click Delete , then click OK when prompted. This will delete Ubuntu from the drive and reformat the drive for NTFS, which is the file system used by Windows.
- You may first have to click Drive options below the drive window.
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Click Next . This indicates that you'd like to install Windows on the selected drive.
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Follow the on-screen instructions. Once Windows finishes installing, you'll be prompted to set up your preferences (e.g., language, date, time, accessibility, and so on). [12] X Research source Ubuntu is now gone from your computer.
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Community Q&A
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QuestionCan I remove an operating system that l run?Community AnswerYou can wipe your hard drive or you can install another OS on the same disk. During the installation wizard, remove the other OS (see the respective manual online).
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QuestionCan I uninstall Ubuntu and install Windows without a CD?SomoneCommunity AnswerYou may be able to use a USB pen drive.
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QuestionHow do I uninstall Skype?Community AnswerGo to Control Panel>Hardware & Programs>Edit or Uninstall Programs.Then just find Skype, right click it, and select "Uninstall."
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References
- ↑ https://ubuntu.com/tutorials/command-line-for-beginners#3-opening-a-terminal
- ↑ https://ubuntu.com/server/docs/package-management
- ↑ https://www.linuxfordevices.com/tutorials/ubuntu/uninstalling-packages-with-apt
- ↑ https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/how-to-uninstall-packages-with-apt-package-manager-in-linux/
- ↑ https://help.ubuntu.com/stable/ubuntu-help/addremove-remove.html.en
- ↑ https://help.ubuntu.com/stable/ubuntu-help/addremove-remove.html.en
- ↑ https://help.ubuntu.com/stable/ubuntu-help/addremove-remove.html.en
- ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/how-to-remove-linux-and-install-windows-on-your-computer-f489c550-f8ec-b458-0a64-c3a8d60d3497
- ↑ https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/insider/forum/all/how-to-perform-a-clean-install-or-reinstall-of/aef0ae63-2117-41ee-a8ea-4a3181625b08
- ↑ https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/insider/forum/all/how-to-perform-a-clean-install-or-reinstall-of/aef0ae63-2117-41ee-a8ea-4a3181625b08
- ↑ https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/insider/forum/all/how-to-perform-a-clean-install-or-reinstall-of/aef0ae63-2117-41ee-a8ea-4a3181625b08
- ↑ https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/insider/forum/all/how-to-perform-a-clean-install-or-reinstall-of/aef0ae63-2117-41ee-a8ea-4a3181625b08
About This Article
Article Summary
X
1. Open the Ubuntu Software Center.
2. Click the Installed
tab.
3. Scroll to the program you want to remove.
4. Click Remove
.
5. Click Remove
to confirm.
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