Uninstall Software#

In some cases, removing Python or an editor is necessary. Here you will find guides on how to uninstall Conda, Python and Visual Studio Code.

If you experience hard-to-resolve problems, it might be because you have installed all packages in your global Python home (i.e. using pip in your base installation, not in a virtual environment). If this is the case, you are recommended to delete your installation, and when using a new one, please remember to use environments.

Uninstalling Conda

This guide will help you uninstall Conda from your computer. This can be useful if:

You are trying to install packages with pip, but cannot import the package.
You want to change to use pip.
You have issues with packages.
You already have the Anaconda distribution installed, but need to switch to Miniconda.

Ensure all shells, command prompts are closed i.e. make sure no files related to Anaconda/Miniconda are open anywhere.
In the Search tab, search for Add or remove programs.
Search for conda, click the three dots on the right hand side and click Uninstall
If you want to completely get rid of everything related to conda, make sure to tick off all the boxes in the last step of the uninstaller as shown below:

This guide will help you uninstall Conda from your computer. This can be useful if:

You are trying to install packages with pip, but cannot import the package.
You want to change to use pip.
You have issues with packages.
You already have the Anaconda distribution installed, but need to switch to Miniconda.
If you have installed Miniconda through Homebrew, run the following command line in the terminal:
```
brew remove miniconda
```
Tip

If you are unsure how you installed Miniconda, you can check by running the following command in your terminal. If the command returns miniconda, it confirms that it was installed via Homebrew:
```
brew list | grep miniconda
```
If you did not install Miniconda through Homebrew, you can remove it by running the following commands in your terminal:
```
conda activate
conda init --reverse --all
cd
sudo rm -rf ~/miniconda3
sudo rm -rf /opt/miniconda3
```

If you want to uninstall Anaconda, run the following commands in your terminal:

conda activate
conda init --reverse --all
cd
sudo rm -rf ~/anaconda3
sudo rm -rf /opt/anaconda3

Uninstalling Python

Note

If you are running Python using Miniconda, you will have to uninstall Miniconda.

Deleting Python might be helpful in the following scenarios.

Your current Python installation is not working correctly.
You have several versions of Python that conflict with each other.
You have tried to install Python, but something went wrong, and you want to start from scratch.

Follow the steps below to delete Python.

In the Search tab, search for Add or remove programs.
Search for Python, click the three dots on the right hand side, and press Uninstall
Follow the instructions from the uninstaller
Repeat for every version of Python that you see in Add or remove programs

Note

If you are running Python using Miniconda, you will have to uninstall Miniconda.

Deleting Python might be helpful in the following scenarios.

Your current Python installation is not working correctly.
You have several versions of Python that conflict with each other.
You have tried to install Python, but something went wrong, and you want to start from scratch.

Follow the steps below to delete Python.

A version of Python comes pre-installed with MacOS. The operating system uses this version of Python and should not be deleted. Other versions of Python may be deleted using a script supplied here. This may include versions installed from the official Python website, Anaconda or Miniconda.

The deletion script can be downloaded here. Be sure to place the downloaded script on your Desktop.

Once you have downloaded and placed it on the Desktop, open a terminal (Command+Space, then type terminal Enter).

Then run the following command by copying, pasting into your terminal, and pressing Enter:

cd ~/Desktop
bash deletePythonMac.sh

The script will ask you for your system password. Enter it and press Enter (You will not be able to see your password as you type it). The script will then delete all versions of Python that you have installed on your computer.

Warning

This will delete all versions of Python installed on your computer, including packages installed using pip or conda install.

Uninstalling Visual Studio Code

This guide will help you uninstall Visual Studio Code from your computer. This can be useful if Visual Studio Code is not working correctly and you want a fresh start.

Video Guide — description found below

In the Search tab, search for Add or remove programs.
Search for Visual Studio Code
Press the three dots on the right hand side, click Uninstall and follow the instructions.

Note

This will leave behind some files, which you can delete manually if you want to. To do this follow the steps below. This is recommended if you are trying to fix an issue with Visual Studio Code by uninstalling and reinstalling.

Press the button and R at the same time
Type in %appdata% and press Enter.
Find the folder named Code and delete it.
Press the button and R at the same time
Type in %userprofile% and press Enter.
Find the folder named .vscode and delete it.

This guide will help you uninstall Visual Studio Code from your computer. This can be useful if Visual Studio Code is not working correctly and you want a fresh start.

Open Finder
Open the Apps folder
Find the Visual Studio Code App, right click and select move to Trash
Open Trash and press Empty in the top right hand corner.

Note

This will leave behind some files, which you can delete manually if you want to. To do this follow the steps below.

Open up a terminal and run the following command:

rm -rf ~/.vscode
rm -rf "~/Library/Application Support/Code"