How to uninstall qgis

Overview

Uninstalling Quantum GIS (QGIS) is a straightforward process that varies slightly depending on your operating system. Whether you're running Windows, macOS, or Linux, the goal is to remove the application files and associated components from your system. This guide will walk you through the standard uninstallation procedures for each major operating system, along with some tips for ensuring a complete removal.

Uninstalling QGIS on Windows

Windows offers a centralized location for managing installed applications, making uninstallation relatively simple.

Using 'Add or Remove Programs' (or 'Apps & features')

1. Access the Uninstaller: Click the Start button and type "Add or Remove Programs" (in Windows 10 and 11) or "Programs and Features" (in older Windows versions). Select the relevant option from the search results.
2. Locate QGIS: Scroll through the list of installed applications until you find "QGIS" or "Quantum GIS".
3. Initiate Uninstall: Click on "QGIS" and then click the "Uninstall" button that appears. Follow any on-screen prompts.
4. Confirm Removal: The uninstaller will guide you through the process. You may be asked to confirm that you want to remove QGIS. Click "Yes" or "Uninstall" to proceed.

Manual Cleanup (Optional)

Sometimes, the uninstaller might leave behind configuration files or user data. If you want to ensure a completely clean removal, you can manually delete specific QGIS folders:

• User Profile: QGIS stores user settings and customizations in a profile folder. By default, this is usually located at C:\Users\YourUsername\AppData\Roaming\QGIS. Note that the AppData folder is hidden by default, so you may need to enable viewing hidden files in File Explorer.
• Installation Directory: Although the uninstaller should remove the main installation files (often in C:\Program Files\QGIS or C:\Program Files (x86)\QGIS), you can check these locations for any remaining QGIS folders and delete them.

Important Note: Deleting user profile data will reset QGIS to its default settings the next time you install it. Be cautious when deleting files and folders if you are unsure.

Uninstalling QGIS on macOS

Uninstalling applications on macOS is generally as simple as moving the application to the Trash.

Standard Procedure

1. Open Finder: Click the Finder icon in your Dock.
2. Navigate to Applications: In the Finder sidebar, click on "Applications".
3. Locate QGIS: Find the QGIS application icon in the Applications folder.
4. Move to Trash: Drag the QGIS application icon to the Trash icon in your Dock.
5. Empty Trash: Right-click on the Trash icon in your Dock and select "Empty Trash". Confirm your action if prompted.

Manual Cleanup (Optional)

Similar to Windows, some configuration files might remain. These are typically located in your user's Library folder:

• User Library: Open Finder, click the "Go" menu, hold down the Option (Alt) key, and select "Library". Navigate to the Application Support folder and look for a QGIS folder. You may also find related files in Preferences or Caches. Delete any QGIS-related folders or files you find.

Note: The Library folder is hidden by default on macOS. Holding the Option key while the "Go" menu is open is the easiest way to access it.

Uninstalling QGIS on Linux

The method for uninstalling QGIS on Linux depends heavily on how you originally installed it. The most common methods involve using your distribution's package manager.

Using Package Managers (e.g., apt, dnf, yum, pacman)

If you installed QGIS from your distribution's repositories or via a PPA (Personal Package Archive), you'll use the corresponding package manager.

• Debian/Ubuntu (and derivatives using apt): Open a terminal and run the following commands:

  sudo apt remove qgis qgis-plugin-grasssudo apt autoremove

  The qgis-plugin-grass package is often installed alongside QGIS and should be removed as well. autoremove helps clean up any orphaned dependencies.
• Fedora/CentOS/RHEL (and derivatives using dnf/yum): Open a terminal and run:

  sudo dnf remove qgissudo dnf autoremove

  (Use yum instead of dnf on older systems.)
• Arch Linux (using pacman): Open a terminal and run:

  sudo pacman -Rns qgis

  The -Rns flags remove the package, its unneeded dependencies, and configuration files.

If Installed from Source or Third-Party Installers

If you compiled QGIS from source or used a custom installer, you might need to refer to the specific installation instructions for removal, which could involve running a make uninstall command in the source directory or using the uninstaller provided by the third-party package.

Manual Cleanup (Linux)

Configuration files on Linux are typically stored in hidden directories within your home folder (e.g., ~/.local/share/QGIS, ~/.config/QGIS, or ~/.qgis2 for older versions). You can remove these manually using the terminal:

rm -rf ~/.local/share/QGISrm -rf ~/.config/QGIS# For older versions, you might also need:# rm -rf ~/.qgis2

Caution: Use the rm -rf command with extreme care, as it permanently deletes files and folders without confirmation.

Final Considerations

After uninstalling QGIS, it's good practice to restart your computer. This ensures that all temporary files are cleared and that any lingering processes related to QGIS are terminated. If you plan to reinstall QGIS later, remember that any user-specific settings in your profile folders will be reset to default unless you manually backed them up before uninstalling.