Can I purge configuration files after I've removed the package?

I was doing a package removal with apt-get remove but then realized I should have done a --purge along with it to remove the configuration files.

Can I remove the packages configuration files easily or do I need to reinstall the package and then remove with a --purge?

4 Answers

Here is a simple command that will meet your request:

dpkg --purge $(dpkg --get-selections | grep deinstall | cut -f1)

2

Yes you can.

From the command line:

sudo apt-get remove --purge packagename

This will remove all of the remaining files that the package installed.

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You can also do this from a GUI:

• Install Synaptic from the Software Center
• Run Synaptic
• Find packages listed under "Not Installed (residual config)"
  
• Right click the package and click, mark for complete removal
• Click the check button on the tool bar and click apply when the dialogue pops up.

3

You can purge all previously uninstalled packages with aptitude:

aptitude purge ?config-files

You can also purge individual packages but then you would also have to purge the dependencies one by one. It is not practical.

1

Purge do not remove configuration file atleast in my case it was not able to remove configuration file.

To remove configuration file:

1. Get list of all configuration directory.

 cd ~/.config ls

2. Remove the directories containing configuration for packagename

 rm -rf packagename

1

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