How to Uninstall App on Fedora for GNOME, KDE, Cinnamon, and More

Introduction

Fedora, as a versatile Linux distribution, supports various desktop environments (DE) like GNOME, KDE, Cinnamon, XFCE, and LXQt. Each DE has different ways to manage applications, so understanding how to uninstall software properly can help keep your system clean and optimized. In this guide, we’ll walk through the steps to uninstall applications in each of these DEs, complete with examples and tips on finding the exact application names for easier removal.

How to Find the Application Code or Name Installed

Before uninstalling, it’s essential to identify the correct package name for the application. Here are some methods to locate the name:

1. List All Installed Packages Using DNF:

dnf list installed

This command lists all installed packages, making it easier to find the name.

2. Use the GNOME Software Center or DE-Specific Software Manager:

In GUI software managers, look under the “Installed” section for an overview of installed applications.

3. Using the RPM Command:

rpm -qa | grep application-name

Replace application-name with a keyword for the app you’re looking for.

Uninstalling Applications on Fedora by Desktop Environment

1. Uninstalling Applications on GNOME

GNOME is Fedora’s default DE and comes with the GNOME Software Center, a straightforward graphical tool.

Using GNOME Software Center:

1. Open GNOME Software Center from the applications menu.
2. Go to the Installed tab.
3. Locate the application you want to uninstall, click on it, and select Remove.

Using Terminal with DNF (Example): To uninstall VLC Media Player, open the terminal and run:

sudo dnf remove vlc

2. Uninstalling Applications on KDE Plasma

KDE Plasma’s software manager, Discover, makes managing applications visually simple.

Using Discover:

1. Open Discover from the applications menu.
2. Go to the Installed section.
3. Find the app you want to remove, click on it, and select Remove.

Using Terminal with DNF (Example): For instance, to remove LibreOffice:

sudo dnf remove libreoffice

3. Uninstalling Applications on Cinnamon

Cinnamon provides a clean user interface and includes its own software manager for removing applications.

Using Software Manager:

1. Open Software Manager from the menu.
2. Click on the Installed tab.
3. Find the application and click Remove.

Using Terminal with DNF (Example): To uninstall GIMP on Cinnamon:

sudo dnf remove gimp

4. Uninstalling Applications on XFCE

XFCE, a lightweight DE, has the Add/Remove Software tool for managing applications.

Using Add/Remove Software:

1. Open Add/Remove Software from the menu.
2. Search for the application by name.
3. Select the application and click Remove.

Using Terminal with DNF (Example): To remove Firefox on XFCE:

sudo dnf remove firefox

5. Uninstalling Applications on LXQt

LXQt is another lightweight DE, suitable for systems with limited resources, and offers its own software center.

Using LXQt Software Center:

1. Open LXQt Software Center from the applications menu.
2. Go to Installed applications.
3. Find the app and click Remove.

Using Terminal with DNF (Example): To remove Thunderbird on LXQt:

sudo dnf remove thunderbird

Additional Tips for Uninstalling Applications

1. Uninstalling Flatpak Applications

For applications installed via Flatpak:

flatpak list
flatpak uninstall app-name

Replace app-name with the name or ID of the Flatpak package.

2. Uninstalling Snap Applications

For Snap-installed applications:

snap list
sudo snap remove app-name

Replace app-name with the correct Snap application name.

3. Removing Unused Dependencies

To clean up leftover dependencies after uninstalling:

sudo dnf autoremove

Clearing Cache

To free up additional space:

sudo dnf clean all

Conclusion

With Fedora’s flexibility, you can choose from several methods to uninstall applications based on your desktop environment and preference. Using a combination of the DNF package manager or GUI software centers makes it easy to remove unwanted software. By keeping your system clean, you can enjoy better performance and more free space.