How To Completely Remove Package on Ubuntu

In this tutorial, we will show you how to completely remove packages on Ubuntu Linux. Proper package management is essential for maintaining a clean, efficient Ubuntu system. Whether you’re trying to free up disk space, resolve conflicts, or simply remove unwanted applications, knowing how to completely remove packages is a valuable skill for any Ubuntu user. This comprehensive guide walks you through multiple methods to thoroughly remove packages, ensuring no leftover files or configurations remain to clutter your system.

Understanding Package Management in Ubuntu

Before diving into removal methods, it’s important to understand how package management works in Ubuntu. This knowledge forms the foundation for effective package maintenance and removal.

Package Management Systems in Ubuntu

Ubuntu utilizes several package management systems, each with distinct characteristics and purposes:

• APT (Advanced Package Tool): Ubuntu’s native package manager that handles .deb packages. It manages installations, updates, and removals while resolving dependencies automatically.
• Snap: A containerized software package system developed by Canonical that bundles applications with their dependencies, making them work across different Linux distributions.
• Flatpak: Another universal package management system that, like Snap, aims to provide applications across different Linux distributions.

The Anatomy of an Installed Package

When you install a package in Ubuntu, several components are placed on your system:

• Binary files (executables)
• Library files
• Configuration files (typically stored in /etc)
• Documentation (usually in /usr/share/doc)
• Man pages
• Dependencies (other packages required for functionality)

Understanding these components is crucial because different removal methods handle them differently, especially configuration files.

Why Complete Removal Matters

Simply removing a package often leaves behind configuration files and sometimes dependencies. These remnants can:

• Consume valuable disk space
• Cause conflicts with future installations
• Create confusion if you reinstall the package later
• Potentially impact system performance
• Present security risks if they contain sensitive information

Complete removal ensures a clean system without these lingering issues.

Preparing for Package Removal

Proper preparation before removing packages can prevent problems and ensure smooth operation.

Identifying Installed Packages

Before removing a package, confirm it’s installed and identify its exact name:

# List all installed packages
dpkg --list

# Search for a specific package
dpkg --list | grep package_name

# Get detailed information about an installed package
apt show package_name

These commands help you verify the package name and see what version is installed.

Understanding Dependencies

Packages often depend on other packages to function. Before removal, check what might be affected:

# Check what depends on a package
apt-cache rdepends package_name

# See what a package depends on
apt-cache depends package_name

This information helps you assess the impact of removing a package, especially on a production system.

Backing Up Configuration Files

If you might reinstall the package later or want to preserve your settings:

# Find configuration files for a package
find /etc -name "*package_name*"

# Back up the files
sudo cp /etc/package_name/config_file /etc/package_name/config_file.backup

Backup is especially important for server applications where configuration can be complex and time-consuming.

Command-Line Methods: APT Package Removal

APT provides several commands for removing packages, each with different effects on your system.

Using apt remove Command

The basic removal command removes the package but keeps configuration files:

sudo apt remove package_name

For example, to remove the VLC media player:

sudo apt remove vlc

This command removes the binaries and most package files but preserves configuration files, making it easier to reinstall with the same settings later.

Complete Removal with apt purge

For a more thorough removal including configuration files:

sudo apt purge package_name

Or combine with remove:

sudo apt remove --purge package_name

This ensures all package-related configurations are deleted from your system.

For example, to completely remove curl:

sudo apt purge curl

This command removes not only the package but also all its configuration files.

Cleaning Up with apt autoremove

After removing packages, dependencies that were automatically installed may remain unused. Remove them with:

sudo apt autoremove

Adding the purge option also removes their configuration files:

sudo apt autoremove --purge

This step is crucial for maintaining a clean system and freeing up disk space occupied by orphaned dependencies.

Using DPKG for Package Management

While APT is more user-friendly, DPKG offers lower-level control for package removal.

Understanding DPKG

DPKG is the foundation upon which APT is built. It handles individual package operations but doesn’t resolve dependencies automatically. It’s useful when you need more precise control or when APT encounters issues.

DPKG Removal Commands

To remove a package with DPKG:

sudo dpkg -r package_name

For example:

sudo dpkg -r curl

For complete removal including configuration files:

sudo dpkg -P package_name

Or:

sudo dpkg --purge package_name

For example:

sudo dpkg -P curl

This removes the package and all its configuration files from your system.

Keep in mind that DPKG doesn’t handle dependencies automatically. You might need to manually remove dependent packages or use APT’s autoremove function afterward.

Managing Snap Packages

Snap packages have a different removal process from traditional APT packages.

Snap Package Structure

Snap packages are self-contained and include most dependencies. They’re isolated from the rest of the system through containerization, making their removal relatively straightforward.

Listing Installed Snaps

Before removing a snap package, verify what’s installed:

snap list

This displays all installed snap packages along with their versions, publishers, and other details.

Removing Snap Packages

To remove a snap package:

sudo snap remove package_name

For example:

sudo snap remove firefox

This command completely removes the snap package, including its data and configurations.

For more thorough removal, including saved user data:

sudo snap remove --purge package_name

Snap packages generally don’t leave behind system-wide configuration files like APT packages might, making their removal cleaner.

Flatpak Package Management

Flatpak offers another way to install and remove applications on Ubuntu.

Introduction to Flatpak

If Flatpak isn’t already installed on your Ubuntu system:

sudo apt install flatpak

Flatpak, like Snap, aims to provide a universal package format that works across different Linux distributions.

Listing Installed Flatpaks

Before removal, check what Flatpak applications are installed:

flatpak list

This shows all installed Flatpak applications and their application IDs.

Removing Flatpak Applications

To remove a Flatpak application:

flatpak uninstall application_id

For example:

flatpak uninstall org.videolan.VLC

To remove unused Flatpak runtimes and free up space:

flatpak uninstall --unused

This helps maintain a clean system by removing components no longer needed by any installed Flatpak application.

Managing PPA Repositories

Personal Package Archives (PPAs) can install packages from third-party sources, which might need special handling during removal.

Understanding PPAs

PPAs are repositories maintained by users or teams outside the official Ubuntu repositories. They can provide newer versions of software or applications not available in the main repositories.

Removing PPA Packages with ppa-purge

The ppa-purge utility helps safely remove packages installed from PPAs:

# Install ppa-purge if not already installed
sudo apt install ppa-purge

# Remove packages from a PPA and revert to official versions
sudo ppa-purge ppa:repository_name/ppa

For example:

sudo ppa-purge ppa:graphics-drivers/ppa

This removes packages installed from the PPA and, when possible, reverts to versions from the official repositories.

Removing the PPA Source

After removing packages, you may want to remove the PPA itself:

# Remove via Software & Updates
sudo add-apt-repository --remove ppa:repository_name/ppa

# Or manually remove the source file
sudo rm /etc/apt/sources.list.d/ppa_name.list

Removing the PPA prevents future updates from that source.

GUI Methods for Package Removal

For those who prefer graphical interfaces, Ubuntu offers several options for package removal.

Using Ubuntu Software Center

The Ubuntu Software Center provides a user-friendly way to manage packages:

1. Open Ubuntu Software Center from the application menu
2. Click on the “Installed” tab
3. Browse or search for the application you want to remove
4. Click on the application
5. Click the “Remove” button
6. Enter your password when prompted

This method is straightforward but doesn’t always provide options for complete removal of configuration files.

Synaptic Package Manager

Synaptic offers more control than the Software Center:

1. Install Synaptic if not already installed:

   sudo apt install synaptic

2. Launch Synaptic Package Manager
3. Click “Status” in the left panel
4. Select “Installed”
5. Find the package you want to remove
6. Right-click and select “Mark for Removal” (or “Mark for Complete Removal” to also delete configuration files)
7. Click “Apply” to execute the changes

Synaptic provides more detailed information about packages and offers the option for complete removal with configuration files.

Advanced Techniques and Special Cases

Some situations require more sophisticated approaches to package removal.

Handling Stubborn Packages

Occasionally, packages might resist normal removal methods due to dependency issues or installation errors:

# Force removal despite errors
sudo dpkg --remove --force-all package_name

# Alternative approach
sudo apt-get --fix-broken install
sudo apt remove package_name

Use these approaches cautiously as they can potentially break package dependencies.

Manual Removal Techniques

In extreme cases where standard tools fail, manual intervention might be necessary:

1. Identify package files:

   dpkg -L package_name

2. Remove the files manually (use with extreme caution):

   sudo rm /path/to/package/file

3. Check and clean package status:

   sudo dpkg --remove --force-remove-reinstreq package_name

Manual removal should be a last resort when other methods fail, as it risks leaving your package database in an inconsistent state.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Package removal sometimes encounters problems that require troubleshooting.

Package Lock Errors

If you see errors about another process using the package system:

# Find processes using APT
ps aux | grep -i apt

# Kill the process
sudo kill process_id

# Or remove the lock files (be cautious)
sudo rm /var/lib/apt/lists/lock
sudo rm /var/lib/dpkg/lock
sudo rm /var/lib/dpkg/lock-frontend

Always try to complete any interrupted package operations before proceeding with new ones.

Dependency Hell

When packages have complex dependency relationships:

# Fix broken dependencies
sudo apt --fix-broken install

# Force installation of dependencies
sudo apt install -f

These commands attempt to resolve dependency issues that might prevent package removal.

Failed Removals

For packages that fail to uninstall properly:

# Reconfigure the package
sudo dpkg --configure -a

# Then try removal again
sudo apt purge package_name

This sequence can often resolve issues with interrupted package operations.

System Maintenance Best Practices

Regular maintenance keeps your Ubuntu system clean and efficient.

Regular Cleanup Routines

Establish a maintenance schedule to keep your system clean:

# Update package lists
sudo apt update

# Remove unnecessary packages
sudo apt autoremove --purge

# Clean package cache
sudo apt clean

Running these commands periodically helps prevent accumulation of unused packages and reclaims disk space.

Monitoring Disk Usage

Keep track of large packages consuming space:

# Show installed packages by size
dpkg-query -W --showformat='${Installed-Size;10}\t${Package}\n' | sort -n

# Check disk usage
du -sh /var

These tools help identify packages and directories consuming excessive space.

Documentation Practices

Keep track of significant package changes:

# Create a log of installed packages
dpkg --get-selections > ~/package-list.txt

# Before major changes, backup your package selections
dpkg --get-selections > ~/package-list-$(date +%Y%m%d).txt

This documentation makes it easier to reproduce your system setup if needed and track changes over time.