urpme

Uninstall a package

$ sudo urpme [package]

$ sudo urpme --auto-orphans

$ sudo urpme --auto-orphans [package]

urpme [options] <package(s) | pattern(s)>

--auto, -a
    Removes packages installed as dependencies that are no longer needed by any other installed package.

--clean-reqs
    Also cleans requirements of removed packages if they are no longer needed system-wide.

--dry-run, -D
    Simulates the package removal process without actually performing any changes to the system.

--no-deps
    Proceeds with package removal without checking for or removing dependencies. Use with extreme caution.

--force, -f
    Forces the removal of packages, ignoring certain errors. Can lead to system instability.

--keep
    Retains configuration files of the removed packages on the system.

--root <path>
    Performs the operation on an alternative root directory, useful for chroot environments.

--no-recommends
    Prevents the removal of packages that were installed as 'recommended' dependencies.

--test
    Equivalent to --dry-run; simulates the action without making changes.

--verbose, -v
    Increases the verbosity of the output, showing more details during the operation.

urpme is the command-line utility used in Mandriva Linux and its successor, Mageia, for removing installed software packages. It is part of the urpmi suite of tools, which provides a high-level interface for the RPM package manager.

Unlike directly using rpm -e, urpme automatically handles dependencies, ensuring that all necessary components of a package are removed while also preventing the accidental removal of packages that are still required by other installed software. It can also identify and remove "orphan" packages, which are no longer needed by any other package on the system. This command simplifies system maintenance by streamlining the process of uninstalling applications and their associated libraries, keeping the system clean and free from unnecessary files.

urpme is exclusive to Mandriva Linux and its successor, Mageia Linux. It is not available on other major Linux distributions (e.g., Debian, Ubuntu, Fedora, RHEL, Arch Linux).

Using options like --no-deps or --force can severely destabilize your system or render it unbootable by removing critical components. Always exercise extreme caution with these options.

urpme excels at automatically resolving and handling package dependencies. When a package is removed, it identifies and removes any other packages that were installed solely as dependencies for the package being removed and are no longer required by any other installed software. This helps to keep the system clean and prevent "dependency hell."

The --auto option of urpme is a powerful feature that allows users to clean up their system by removing "orphan" packages – those that were installed as dependencies but are no longer needed by any other installed package. This is crucial for maintaining system performance and reclaiming disk space.

urpme is an integral part of the urpmi suite, which was developed for Mandrake Linux (later Mandriva Linux) as a user-friendly front-end for the RPM package manager. Introduced in the late 1990s, the urpmi tools, including urpme, aimed to simplify dependency resolution, a significant challenge with RPM directly. It provided a robust and automated way to manage software, making Mandriva a popular choice for desktop users. Following Mandriva's discontinuation, the urpmi suite, including urpme, continues to be maintained and used by its successor, Mageia Linux, preserving its legacy in package management.

urpmi(8), urpmq(8), urpmf(8), rpm(8), apt-get(8), dnf(8), pacman(8)