Harnessing the Power of Open Source with Ubuntu

How to Uninstall Ubuntu Safely: WSL Removal, Dual-Boot Cleanup, and App Deletion Guide

Troubleshooting
目次

1. Introduction

“I want to remove Ubuntu, but I’m not sure which method is right for my situation…” If you’ve ever felt this way, this guide will help.

This article explains WSL (Windows Subsystem for Linux), dual-boot removal, and application-only deletion—helping you choose the most suitable uninstall method for your environment.

The correct procedure depends on how Ubuntu was installed. We’ll cover three scenarios: “Using Ubuntu on WSL,” “Installed in a dual-boot configuration,” and “Deleting only Ubuntu applications.” Choose the option that matches your setup.

2. How to Uninstall Ubuntu

2.1 How to Uninstall Ubuntu from WSL on Windows

WSL allows you to run Ubuntu directly on Windows, but you must remove it properly when it’s no longer needed. Here we explain two methods: uninstalling from Windows Settings and removing it via command.

Method 1: Uninstall from Windows Settings (Beginner Friendly)

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

🔹 Notes for This Method

  • Even after uninstalling from Settings, some related data may remain.
  • To fully remove Ubuntu, run the following command:

Method 2: Fully Remove Ubuntu via Command Prompt or PowerShell (Recommended)

To completely delete 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 remove Ubuntu
wsl --unregister Ubuntu

This command deletes the Ubuntu instance entirely from WSL.

  1. Optionally remove leftover WSL data
wsl --shutdown

This fully stops WSL and terminates all processes.

2.2 How to Remove Ubuntu from a Dual-Boot Environment

If you installed Ubuntu alongside Windows in a dual-boot setup, uninstalling requires two steps: deleting the partitions and repairing the Windows bootloader.

Step 1: Delete Ubuntu Partitions

  1. Open “Disk Management”
  • Press Windows Key + R, type diskmgmt.msc, and open Disk Management.
  1. Identify Ubuntu partitions
  • Partitions labeled “EFI System Partition” or formatted as EXT4 typically belong to Ubuntu.
  1. Delete the Ubuntu partitions
  • Right-click the target partition → select “Delete Volume.”

Step 2: Repair the Windows Bootloader

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

2.3 Uninstall Applications Inside Ubuntu

sudo apt remove <app-name>
sudo apt purge <app-name>
sudo apt autoremove

3. Important Notes and Recommendations

  • Back up your data before removal
  • Delete leftover WSL configuration files to avoid issues
C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Local\Packages\CanonicalGroupLimited*

4. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Will my data be deleted when uninstalling Ubuntu?

A: Yes. Removing Ubuntu deletes all data stored within that OS environment.

Q2: What should I do if Windows fails to boot after removing Ubuntu?

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

Q3: What should I do if Ubuntu uninstall stops midway?

A: Try the following:

  • wsl --unregister Ubuntu
  • Use a live USB to manually remove partitions

Q4: Can I remove only specific Ubuntu applications?

sudo apt remove <app-name>
sudo apt purge <app-name>