- How to Uninstall Python
- How to Uninstall Python in Linux
- Step A. First of all, check all the Python versions installed using the whereis command in Linux
- Misc A: Why it is not recommended to uninstall Python at /usr/bin
- zhensongren / uninstall_python3.MD
- Ye kisne de diye baccho ke haath mein laptop
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- Uninstall Python in Ubuntu
- Check if Python Installed in Your System
- Ways to Remove/Uninstall Python in Ubuntu
- Uninstall/Delete a Specific Version
- Remove Only the python3 Package
- Remove Packages With Their Dependencies
How to Uninstall Python
We may want to remove Python in our Linux or Windows systems for different reasons – conflicting packages and the need for a given Python version are some top reasons. Unlike in Windows, Python is a core program in most Linux distributions. In this case, uninstalling Python without utmost care may cause your Linux system to break. This article focuses on how we can safely remove Python from Windows and Linux systems.
How to Uninstall Python in Linux
Most Linux distros come with Python installed. In fact, in most cases, the default Python coming with the operating system is a core package for the system such that if it is removed, the graphical display manager breaks down, among other awful things. Other Python version(s) can also be installed alongside Linux-inbuilt Python (we will discuss how to do this later). We can safely remove the Python built from the source, but removing the Python that came with the distribution is not recommended.
To uninstall Python installed from the source, follow these steps:
Step A. First of all, check all the Python versions installed using the whereis command in Linux
From Figure 1, what we are after are the binaries. They are located at bin/or local/bin. The inbuilt Python is in bin/, whereas the Python built from the source is mainly installed at the local/bin. In our case, we have Python3.9 (inbuilt – we don’t want to uninstall this) and Python3.6 located in local/bin directory, and we can safely remove it.
The following list can fully explain the Linux directories we are interested in:
- /bin – binary or executable programs.
- /lib – it contains kernel modules and a shared library.
- /usr – user-related programs.
- The /usr/local directory is where locally compiled applications are installed by default, preventing them from mucking up the rest of the system.
- /etc – system configuration files.
Misc A: Why it is not recommended to uninstall Python at /usr/bin
Many programs in most Linux distributions depend on pre-installed Python. You can identify the default Python by running python on the terminal. You can also find it by using which command.
If we take a closer look at the long listing of /usr/bin you will realize that Python and its dependencies are linked to other programs.
zhensongren / uninstall_python3.MD
bro did you find a way to fix it, my ubuntu also broken because of 2nd command. It would be grateful if you can help me with this.
Very careful before using above command.
In case you successfully uninstalled default package, use below command 😉
sudo apt-get install ubuntu-desktop
thank you my ubuntu was broken!! 🙂
bro did you find a way to fix it, my ubuntu also broken because of 2nd command. It would be grateful if you can help me with this.
I just used this command to fix ubuntu :
sudo apt-get install ubuntu-desktop
Very careful before using above command.
In case you successfully uninstalled default package, use below command 😉
sudo apt-get install ubuntu-desktop
Thank you!
My ubuntu was also broken
Destroyed my linux purging python, be careful
sudo apt-get purge . destroys dependencies . Be careful .
sudo apt-get install ubuntu-desktop
helps recover dependencies but not all
This is NOT the way to. do this.!
You will trash your system if you start purging like this.
Thank you for this. I had installed python3.10, it was causing problems and I couldn’t uninstall it through rm. I am still fairly new to linux so thank you.
yes, I’ve destroyed my computer and lost everything trying that, but my question still the same, how I can upgrade or deleted and then re-install the latest python version?
I use different python versions (3.8, 3.10) on my ubuntu. I decided to uninstall pythion3.10.
Now, anytime I install a package with pip, it is downloaded in ‘python3.10/site-packages/’ not ‘python3.8/site-packages/’
Does anyone know how I can resolve this? I cannot also install packages in a venv because it is always installing globally to ‘python3.10/site-packages/’
Please help. Thank you for your response
⚠ ⚠ ⚠ These commands ruined the whole WSL Ubuntu successfully! ⚠ ⚠ ⚠
thank you!
for readers in the future: just try searching and use other methods.
to repair python2.7 on Ubuntu: sudo apt-get install —reinstall python2.7 .
Note to self: Do not run commands on a github Gist without reading the comments section xD
I CANT BELIEVE UBUNTU CRASHED!! SUCH A FRAGILE USELESS OS
Some commands are best tried on virtual system first. Be careful.
installed and have no graphical interface
sudo apt install —reinstall ubuntu-desktop fixed
I ran this command and I’m using a WSL with Ubutu. Any ideas on how I can fix mine?
yall really testing these commands on your laptops ? what docker or vm did to you to hate using it so much
Very nice. I just blew my VM. Thanks for nothing.
What the hell, my terminal got removed
Ye kisne de diye baccho ke haath mein laptop
1st result when searching «ubuntu uninstall python» lmao
Thank you! My ubuntu was also broken 😅
Don’t try it or will distroy Your ubuntu
too late to read the comments
Thank you. I Just destroyed my ubuntu server
Destroyed my entire fing Ubuntu install, If anyone sees this comment, I would highly advise against using these commands, It will trash your system, if you fall victim to this, enter TTY console if you can, and type sudo apt-get update —fix-missing, then once this finishes, enter sudo apt install -f, this will fix the Ubuntu install, if it doesn’t you work you must reinstall Ubuntu somehow. For me, this method worked.
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Uninstall Python in Ubuntu
- Check if Python Installed in Your System
- Ways to Remove/Uninstall Python in Ubuntu
This article demonstrates how to delete or uninstall Python from Ubuntu.
Check if Python Installed in Your System
Open the Terminal using Ctrl + Alt + T .
After opening the terminal, check whether your system has python installed or not by using the command python3 —version .
If the command replies with the specific version of python, then leave it because you have already installed python on your pc/desktop.
If the command replies with Command not found , then to install python, write the command sudo apt install python3 .
There are many ways for its uninstallation depending upon a user’s needs. Different commands in the terminal do different tasks.
If there is only a need to delete specific dependencies related to a specific module of python or if there is a need to delete all the dependencies or to remove the Python3 package.
Depending upon the specific needs and requirements, the user can run the commands in the terminal for specific actions.
Ways to Remove/Uninstall Python in Ubuntu
Uninstall/Delete a Specific Version
Suppose a user wants to delete a specific version of Python installed on the Ubuntu machine. Run the below command and enter your user password. The version of Python will be removed from the machine.
sudo apt purge python-minimal
Remove Only the python3 Package
If a user wants to remove the specific package of Python, i.e., python 3.5 , run the below command and select and remove the python3 packages.
sudo apt-get remove python3.5
Remove Packages With Their Dependencies
Suppose you want to remove a package and all the dependencies related to that package, run the below-mentioned command, enter your ubuntu password, and the package will be removed along with its dependencies.