How to Uninstall Ubuntu Software

Written by Jack Lloyd

Last Updated: November 10, 2022 Tested

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.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Uninstalling Programs with Terminal

1
Open
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.
2
Open a list of your currently installed programs. Type dpkg --list into Terminal, then press ↵ Enter.

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3
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).
4
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.
5
Enter your root password. Type in your superuser password, then press ↵ Enter.
6
Confirm the deletion. Type in y and press ↵ Enter. Your program will begin to uninstall itself. Once it finishes, you can close Terminal.
- 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.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Uninstalling Programs with Ubuntu Software

1
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.
- 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.
2
Click the Installed tab. This computer-shaped tab is at the top of the Ubuntu Software window.
3
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.
4
Click Remove. It's to the right of the program that you want to uninstall.
5
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.
6
Close Ubuntu Software. Your program should now be uninstalled.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Uninstalling Ubuntu Linux

1
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.
- 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.
2
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.
3
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.
4
Boot from the CD. On most computers, you can press any key on your keyboard to do so.
- If your computer isn't set to boot from the disc drive, you may have to press a "Boot Options" key during the restart screen, or select your Windows DVD as the boot option from the GRUB menu.
5
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.
6
Click Install now. It's in the middle of the window.
7
Enter your Windows 10 product key, then click Next. Type your product key into the text field near the bottom of the window.
- 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.
8
Check the "I accept" box, then click Next. Doing so will accept Microsoft's terms of use and take you to the next page.
9
Click the Custom option. It's in the middle of the page.
10
Select the Ubuntu drive. Click the hard drive on which Ubuntu Linux is installed.
11
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.
12
Click Next. This indicates that you'd like to install Windows on the selected drive.
13
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). Ubuntu is now gone from your computer.

Community Q&A

Question

Can I remove an operating system that l run?

Community Answer

You 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).
Question

Can I uninstall Ubuntu and install Windows without a CD?

Somone

Community Answer

You may be able to use a USB pen drive.
Question

How do I uninstall Skype?

Community Answer

Go to Control Panel>Hardware & Programs>Edit or Uninstall Programs.Then just find Skype, right click it, and select "Uninstall."