Unlinking Linux: A Guide to Removing Programs(unlinklinux)
When it comes to software, few platforms are more powerful than Linux. From massive networks of interconnected computers to personal home systems, the open source, strongly secured Linux operating system has become a staple of computing. However, no matter how well Linux runs, there may come a point where it is determined that certain programs or applications no longer benefit the user. This guide outlines the steps users can take to safely, cleanly, and fully remove any non-essential programs and applications on Linux.
The first step to unlink Linux is to access and launch the terminal. Before any uninstalling takes place, it’s important to run updates to ensure everything is running at its best. This can be done through opening the terminal and typing “sudo apt-get update” without the quotations and pressing Enter. An update can take anywhere from a few minutes to hours depending on the size of the download and the size of the cache.
The next step is to identify the programs and applications that are no longer needed or used. A user may be able to remember the names of some programs they no longer need, while they may need to search the system to locate other applications. To search the system, it’s best to open up the Search Bar and type in the keywords, as this should be enough to generate a list of applications that could be removed.
Once the programs and applications that need to be removed have been located, the user should be ready to uninstall. To do this, all the user needs to do is type into the terminal the command “sudo apt-get remove”, followed by the exact name of the application. It is noteworthy that this command only works for applications that have been installed via the terminal and thus may not work for some applications.
After a program has been uninstalled, the user should check to ensure that all the files linked to it have been removed. To do this, the user will need to open a file manager, open the Home folder and look for the folder with the name of the uninstalled program and delete that folder in order to fully remove the program completely.
The last step in uninstalling programs and applications in Linux is to clean up the user’s system. Files that are no longer needed in the system may still be present, and taking a few extra minutes to clean them up can greatly improve system performance and stability. Furthermore, if done before an update, it can save time and improve the chances of a successful update.
By following these steps, users can safely, cleanly, and fully remove any programs and applications in Linux. Proper uninstallation requires understanding of the necessary command-line choices and the location of the files related to the programs being unlinked. With this knowledge, users can ensure that their Linux systems remain up-to-date and perform at their best.