Phil Buchman

Hi Everyone,

My neighbor saw that I have Ubuntu on my laptop and asked a question
that I could not answer.

When MS Windows uninstalls a program, there are usually files and
registry entries left behind, and so the program was not completely
uninstalled. I recall in the old days of Macintosh "System" Software
(prior to OS X), when a program was uninstalled, every little piece of
it was gone.

When I uninstall a program in Ubuntu, are there pieces-parts left
behind on the drive, or is the whole thing just gone?

Thanks!

NoStop

Phil Buchman wrote:

> Hi Everyone,
>
> My neighbor saw that I have Ubuntu on my laptop and asked a question
> that I could not answer.
>
> When MS Windows uninstalls a program, there are usually files and
> registry entries left behind, and so the program was not completely
> uninstalled. I recall in the old days of Macintosh "System" Software
> (prior to OS X), when a program was uninstalled, every little piece of
> it was gone.
>
> When I uninstall a program in Ubuntu, are there pieces-parts left
> behind on the drive, or is the whole thing just gone?
>
> Thanks!

Configuration files in the userspace (contained in dot files - hidden files)
can and usually do remain. These can be manually deleted by viewing hidden
files in your home directory.

Cheers.

--
Sometimes, I Wake Up Grumpy.
Sometimes, I Just Let Him Sleep In.
-- My Wife

Mark Warner

Phil Buchman wrote:
> Hi Everyone,
>
> My neighbor saw that I have Ubuntu on my laptop and asked a question
> that I could not answer.
>
> When MS Windows uninstalls a program, there are usually files and
> registry entries left behind, and so the program was not completely
> uninstalled. I recall in the old days of Macintosh "System" Software
> (prior to OS X), when a program was uninstalled, every little piece of
> it was gone.
>
> When I uninstall a program in Ubuntu, are there pieces-parts left behind
> on the drive, or is the whole thing just gone?

For the most part yes, if you use Synaptic and chose to Completely
Remove. Your user-specific files will remain as a hidden file in /home;
this can be deleted manually.

--
Mark Warner
SimplyMEPIS Linux v6.5
Registered Linux User #415318
....lose .inhibitions when replying

Phil Buchman

> if you use Synaptic and chose to Completely
> Remove. Your user-specific files will remain as a hidden file in /home;
> this can be deleted manually.

Way cool! Thanks Mark!

Phil Buchman

> Configuration files in the userspace (contained in dot files - hidden
> files) can and usually do remain. These can be manually deleted by
> viewing hidden files in your home directory.
>

Thanks NoStop!

ray

On Tue, 27 Nov 2007 09:21:07 -0700, wrote:

> Hi Everyone,
>
> My neighbor saw that I have Ubuntu on my laptop and asked a question
> that I could not answer.
>
> When MS Windows uninstalls a program, there are usually files and
> registry entries left behind, and so the program was not completely
> uninstalled. I recall in the old days of Macintosh "System" Software
> (prior to OS X), when a program was uninstalled, every little piece of
> it was gone.
>
> When I uninstall a program in Ubuntu, are there pieces-parts left
> behind on the drive, or is the whole thing just gone?
>
> Thanks!

One of the options for removing a program with synaptic is: "mark for
complete removal". I believe it does.

Phil Buchman

Hi Ray,

> One of the options for removing a program with synaptic is: "mark for
> complete removal". I believe it does.

You're right, the "mark for complete removal" deletes the configuration
files and is lightyears ahead of the Add/Remove applet in Windows.

Thanks for responding!

ac

Phil Buchman wrote:
> Hi Ray,
>
>> One of the options for removing a program with synaptic is: "mark for
>> complete removal". I believe it does.
>
> You're right, the "mark for complete removal" deletes the configuration
> files and is lightyears ahead of the Add/Remove applet in Windows.
>
> Thanks for responding!

there is a bunch of stuff - showing how civillised linux is - for
example at

A Concise apt-get / dpkg primer for new Debian users
http://linuxhelp.blogspot.com/2005/1...r-for-new.html

iirc the 'purge' option can be useful as part of a manual activity.
--
ac