How to Harness the Power of Open Source – Welcome to the World of Ubuntu

How to Completely Remove Ubuntu | Detailed Guide on WSL, Dual Boot, and App Removal!

Basics of Ubuntu
佐川 直弘 | Naohiro Sagawa
By 佐川 直弘 | Naohiro Sagawa (運営者)
※記事内に広告を含みます。Amazonアソシエイトとして適格販売により収入を得ています。　
目次

1. Introduction

“I want to remove Ubuntu, but I’m not sure which method to choose…”
Are you facing this dilemma?

This article provides a detailed guide on the best uninstallation method based on your environment, covering WSL (Windows Subsystem for Linux), dual boot removal, and individual app uninstallation.

The method for removing Ubuntu varies depending on your setup.
We will explain three cases in detail: “Using Ubuntu in WSL,” “Installed as a dual boot,” and “Only want to remove an application.” Choose the best approach based on your situation.

2. How to Uninstall Ubuntu

2.1 How to Uninstall Ubuntu from WSL on Windows

WSL (Windows Subsystem for Linux) allows you to run Ubuntu on Windows, but if you no longer need it, you should properly uninstall it. Here, we introduce two methods: “Uninstalling via Settings” and “Uninstalling via Command”.

Method 1: Uninstall via Windows Settings (Beginner-Friendly)

  1. Open “Settings”
  • Press Windows Key + I to open “Settings.”
  1. Go to “Apps & Features”
  • From the left menu, select “Apps” and open “Apps & Features.”
  1. Search for Ubuntu and Uninstall
  • Type “Ubuntu” in the search box to find the installed WSL Ubuntu.
  • Click the “Uninstall” button and follow the on-screen instructions to remove it.

🔹 Important Notes for This Method

  • Even after uninstalling via Settings, some related data may remain.
  • To completely remove it, use the following command:

Method 2: Completely Remove Using Command Prompt or PowerShell (Recommended)

To completely remove Ubuntu from WSL, follow these steps:

  1. Open PowerShell or Command Prompt as Administrator
  • Search for “PowerShell” or “Command Prompt” in the Start Menu, then right-click → “Run as Administrator.”
  1. Run the following command to delete Ubuntu
   wsl --unregister Ubuntu

This command will completely remove the Ubuntu instance from WSL.

  1. Delete Unnecessary WSL Data (Optional)
   wsl --shutdown

Executing this command will completely shut down WSL and terminate all processes.

2.2 How to Remove Ubuntu from a Dual Boot Setup

If you installed Ubuntu alongside Windows in a dual boot configuration, the removal process requires two main steps: “Deleting the Ubuntu partition” and “Repairing the bootloader”.

Step 1: Delete the Ubuntu Partition

  1. Open “Disk Management”
  • Press Windows Key + R, type “diskmgmt.msc,” and open “Disk Management.”
  1. Find the Ubuntu Partition
  • The Ubuntu partition is usually labeled as “EFI System Partition” or formatted as EXT4.
  1. Delete the Ubuntu Partition
  • Right-click the partition you want to delete and select “Delete Volume.”

Step 2: Repair Windows Bootloader

bootrec /fixmbr
bootrec /fixboot
bootrec /scanos
bootrec /rebuildbcd

2.3 How to Uninstall Applications on Ubuntu

If you only want to remove specific applications installed on Ubuntu, you can use the following commands:

sudo apt remove <application_name>
sudo apt purge <application_name>
sudo apt autoremove

年収訴求

3. Important Notes & Recommendations

  • Backup Your Data
  • Delete WSL Configuration Files to Avoid Issues
C:Users<your_username>AppDataLocalPackagesCanonicalGroupLimited*

4. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Will my data be deleted if I uninstall Ubuntu?

A: Yes. All data within Ubuntu will be erased when you uninstall it.

Q2: What should I do if Windows won’t boot after removing Ubuntu?

bootrec /fixmbr
bootrec /fixboot
bootrec /scanos
bootrec /rebuildbcd

Q3: What if the Ubuntu uninstallation process gets stuck?

A: Try the following solutions:

  • Use the command: wsl --unregister Ubuntu
  • Use a live USB to manually remove Ubuntu

Q4: Can I uninstall only certain Ubuntu applications?

sudo apt remove <application_name>
sudo apt purge <application_name>