How Do I Uninstall a Linux Software Package?

If you're short on disk space, use RPM to uninstall one or more packages. Uninstalling is even easier than installing, because you need to know only the package name, not the name of the original package file. Here's how to remove the dogfood package: rpm -e dogfood

RPM will tell you if the removal of the package will cause problems for other installed packages. If it will, you may see a message like this:

removing these packages would break dependencies:
dogfood is needed by fido-1.0-1

If you're sure you know what you're doing, you can add the --nodeps flag, and RPM will skip the dependency checks and uninstall the package anyway.

Previous Lesson: Installing Packages with RPM
Next Lesson: Upgrading Packages with RPM

Comments - most recent first (Please feel free to answer questions posted by others!) Namith Chandran     (22 Jun 2014, 07:49) i tryig to uninstall and reinstall PHOTON 3G setup from a Linux redhat 6 laptop. please guide me Namith Chandran     (22 Jun 2014, 07:46) Hi, I am using a Linux redhat 6 Lap(Office lp) I had installed the PHOTON 3G dongle via terminal, but the GUI is not launching, help me to uninstall and reinstall the APP? jithendera     (19 Mar 2012, 11:43) i have a my personal labtop...it has a red hat linux os installed...I want to delete or remove the Linux comletely and install a windows xp professional os ...I dont know nothing about linux...so I need to simple directions as to remove linux on my laptop.. thanx walt     (20 Feb 2012, 10:55) Synaptic shambhu     (13 Feb 2012, 03:18) dear sir, plz help me for redhat enterprise linux 6.1 1)how to install tar.bz2 & tar.gz 2)how to uninstall rpm , tar.bz2 & tar.gz Alok chaturvedi     (01 Feb 2012, 02:27) Please let me know how i can uninstall ms office from my linux machine, i am not able to find where it install. kindly help me out. Please ali     (29 Jan 2012, 16:08) thanx niranjan     (14 Jan 2012, 15:28) my laptop was loaded with win7 but while trying to load ubuntu as a 2nd os.it formatted the file system how can i retrive data.it is showing some data are in unreadable form.now it is not accepting win7. can you help me. MOjdeh     (13 Dec 2011, 14:36) Hi, Who can help me? I installed skype on my ubunto and after the first restart it appears the error 5: input/output error, I cant more run synaptic!!! the hard disc begins to make sounds and a red forbidden sign appears on top close to internet connection sign. When I tried to uninstall skype directly from terminal I got this error: mojdeh@mojdeh-laptop:~$ sudo apt-get --purge remove skype [sudo] password for mojdeh: Reading package lists... Error! E: Read error - read (5: Input/output error) E: The package lists or status file could not be parsed or opened. Would you please help me to solve this problem? Thanks noo     (23 Sep 2011, 10:02) to uninstall rpm package # rpm -e Anand     (23 Sep 2011, 10:00) to uninstall # make uninstall ignesious     (20 Mar 2011, 11:00) sir i want to install mysql db when i downloaded the package and run the configure file it does't show me errors but when i put the #make command it's showing that no file to make pls help.. momo the great     (20 Mar 2011, 10:58) @tom bias put your xp disk and reboot go to advanced setting and format the logical drive where the linux is installed now install the xp. after installation is over go to control panel->administration->disk management now combine all your free space in to another logical drive.. k.baidya     (29 Jan 2011, 23:43) sir have a wipro labtop...it has a linux os installed...I want to delete the Linux comletely and install a xp professional os ...I know nothing about linux...so I need simple directions as to how one would do this. Thanks Bob Rankin     (30 Nov 2010, 20:18) @Tom - Pop in the Windows install CD, restart your computer, and it will install Windows. If the installer asks if you want to format the disk, say yes. Tom Bias     (30 Nov 2010, 20:08) I have a dell inspiron 5100 laptop...it has a linux os installed...I want to delete the Linux comletely and install a xp professional os which I have the OEM disc...I know nothing about linux...so I need simple directions as to how one would do this. Thanks Tom Bob Rankin     (20 Oct 2010, 10:55) @kyawkyawzaw - Good news... I already did! I'm always amazed by the comments that say "Send me the info about XXX" when the information is RIGHT THERE on the page in front of them. Sigh... kyawkyawzaw     (20 Oct 2010, 07:50) pls send uninstall and install commands in linux and pls explain about uninstalling and installing components Nasibullah Abid Safi     (16 Sep 2010, 03:59) Hi Dear! I am installing perl module manually with make install or ./configer in Linux red hat, so how i can uninstall that module again and how i can check that how much module are installed in my red hat Linux operating System.. I welcome your comments. However... I am puzzled by many people who say "Please send me the Linux tutorial." This website *is* your Linux Tutorial! Read everything here, learn all you can, ask questions if you like. But don't ask me to send what you already have. :-) NO SPAM! If you post garbage, it will be deleted, and you will be banned. *Name: Email: Notify me about new comments on this page Hide my email *Text:

Copyright © by Bob Rankin - Privacy Policy
All rights reserved - Redistribution is allowed only with permission.