How to Uninstall Applications in Linux

Removing installed applications can be a bit confusing for the experienced Microsoft Windows user who is just becoming acclimated to Linux or a new Linux user trying to understand the system. There are two methods of uninstalling applications in Linux, using a GUI (Graphic User Interface) or the command line.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Using the Add/Remove Application Tool

1. Click the "Applications" menu and select "Add/Remove Software." (In some Linux distributions such as Fedora, you will need to be logged on as a root to use this installation tool. Ubuntu will prompt you to enter your administrator password at a later time.)

2. Choose the software category from the pane on the left side of the window where the application you want to remove is located. (Note that the application will be found in the same category as on the application menu system.)

3. Select the application you want to remove from the list on the right pane (under "Application") by placing a check mark in the box to the left of the application you want to remove.

4. Click "Apply Changes."

5. Click "Apply" to confirm the changes when presented with the "Apply the Following Changes" dialog box. (In some Linux distributions such as Ubuntu, you will be prompted to enter your administrator password and click "OK.")

6. Click "Close" when the "Applications have been removed successfully" dialog box comes up.

Command Line Application Removal

7. Open a terminal window.

8. In RPM-based Linux distributions, use the "Yum Remove" command. In Apt-based Linux distributions, use the "Apt-Get Remove" command.

9. Follow the onscreen prompts.

10. Confirm the application removal process is desired when prompted.

11. Check to ensure the application has been successfully removed.

References

• Apt-Get Command
• Yum Command