Software & AppsOperating SystemLinux

Can You Use “apt-get purge –auto-remove” Command in Ubuntu?

Ubuntu 13

Yes, you can indeed use the apt-get purge --auto-remove command in Ubuntu. This command is a powerful tool for managing packages and dependencies in your Ubuntu system. In this article, we will delve into what this command does, how to use it, and some examples to illustrate its functionality.

Quick Answer

Yes, you can use the apt-get purge --auto-remove command in Ubuntu to remove a package, its configuration files, and any unneeded dependencies in one go.

Understanding the apt-get purge --auto-remove Command

The apt-get purge --auto-remove command is a combination of two separate commands: apt-get purge and apt-get autoremove.

The apt-get purge command is used to remove packages from your system. However, it goes a step further than the standard apt-get remove command by also deleting configuration files associated with the package. This is useful when you want to completely remove a package and its settings from your system.

The --auto-remove option is used to remove packages that were automatically installed to satisfy dependencies for other packages and are now no longer needed.

By combining these two commands, apt-get purge --auto-remove allows you to remove a package, its configuration files, and any unneeded dependencies in one go.

Using the Command

To use the apt-get purge --auto-remove command, open a terminal window and type the following:

sudo apt-get purge --auto-remove packagename

Replace ‘packagename’ with the name of the package you wish to remove.

A Practical Example

Let’s say you have installed a package called ‘mypackage’ and you want to remove it completely from your system, including its configuration files and any unneeded dependencies. You would use the following command:

sudo apt-get purge --auto-remove mypackage

This command will prompt you to confirm that you want to remove the specified package and its unneeded dependencies. Once you confirm, the package, its configuration files, and any unneeded dependencies will be removed from your system.

Conclusion

The apt-get purge --auto-remove command is a powerful tool for managing your Ubuntu system. It allows you to completely remove a package and its unneeded dependencies in one go, helping to keep your system clean and clutter-free.

Remember to replace ‘packagename’ with the name of the package you wish to remove when using this command. And as always, be careful when removing packages to ensure you don’t accidentally remove something your system needs.

For more information on the apt-get command and its various options, you can check the manpage by typing man apt-get in your terminal or visit the Ubuntu manpages online.

What is the difference between `apt-get purge` and `apt-get remove`?

The apt-get purge command not only removes a package from your system but also deletes its configuration files, while the apt-get remove command only removes the package itself.

Can I use `apt-get purge –auto-remove` to remove multiple packages at once?

Yes, you can specify multiple package names separated by a space after the apt-get purge --auto-remove command. For example, sudo apt-get purge --auto-remove package1 package2 package3.

Is it possible to undo the removal of a package using `apt-get purge –auto-remove`?

No, the apt-get purge --auto-remove command permanently removes the package, its configuration files, and any unneeded dependencies. It is not possible to undo this action.

How can I check if a package has been completely removed from my system?

You can use the dpkg -l command to check the status of a package. If the package is completely removed, it will not be listed in the output of this command.

Will `apt-get purge –auto-remove` remove packages that were manually installed?

No, the --auto-remove option only removes packages that were automatically installed as dependencies and are no longer needed. Manually installed packages will not be affected by this command.

Can I use `apt-get purge –auto-remove` without the `sudo` command?

No, the sudo command is necessary to run apt-get purge --auto-remove with root privileges. This is required as system-level changes are involved in removing packages and their dependencies.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *