How to uninstall something in Linux (Ubuntu)
 

Hi all,

I am new to Linux :newbie: and using Ubuntu 14.04 :)
I have install few stuffs in my machine, as it comes with the instruction ('./Configure' then 'make' and then 'make install'), so no problem in doing that.
If I want to uninstall some specific program, how to do that :banghead: ? I have no idea :( :( to find the location where it is installed :confused:

Thanks and Regrads

try: apt-get remove <package-name>

Welcome to LQ.

When you have installed with $ ./configure && make && sudo make install,
.. then the uninstall command can often be : sudo make uninstall ,
.. i.e. in the same location where you did $ sudo make install

Uninstalling program isn't a good idea for newbie, apt-get will try to remove program with it's dependencies, even if these dependencies requires for other programs.
If you want to find where you program was installed by "make install", open configure script with text editor and search there for installation directory. And check MAKEFILE as well.

As you have found out, it can be tricky to remove programs installed from source using the method you have described.

Generally speaking, it is better to always use your distribution's package manager for installing programs as it makes updates & removal much easier.

This is especially true for the Ubunutu family as almost all software is available in PPAs, thus negating the need to compile from source.

This way, all the software installed is easily viewable via the standard "software centre" (or whatever it's called).

Why install from a source file in the first place?

Fred.

As has been said, you can usually do "make uninstall" — provided you've kept the source code; otherwise you'll ave to download it again! If there isn't an uninstall option in the make file, you can do it manually. Look at the install section of the make file and you can see what files were installed and where they went.

Why don't you just go to the Ubuntu software centre, pick the program and it'll install with all the dependancies.
You can also use the Synaptic package manager from the Admin menu. Programs uninstall from here as well.

I don't understand why Newbies always think you've got to use the command line in Linux to do installs and deinstalls. (or do I? Hmmm...) :scratch: Using the GUI is so much easier at the start if you're comming from Windows.

Once you've become familiar with the Linux concepts; distributions, repositories, dependancies, etc, THEN you can graduate to using the command line from a terminal.

Of course... that's just my opinion. :)

Play Bonny!

:hattip:

It's bit late now but you can use 'checkinstall' instead of 'make install' if you have that package installed and the source file is compatable, it attempts to make the package traceable by your package manager.
Personaly I prefer the easy life and install via the package manager even if it means adding extra repos.

Fred.

Because not every program is in the repos and/or has a .deb.