Raspberry Pi – Remove Unused Software (2025 System Cleanup Guide)
Introduction – Clean Up Your Raspberry Pi for Better Performance
As you install new tools, software, and packages, your Raspberry Pi can quickly become cluttered—especially with a limited SD card or eMMC storage. Removing unused software helps free up disk space, boost speed, and reduce boot times.
In this guide, you’ll learn:
- How to identify and remove unused packages
- Use
apt,dpkg, and GUI tools for uninstallation - Clean up orphaned dependencies and cache
- Real-world examples and automation tips for regular maintenance
Step 1: List Installed Software
List all installed packages:
dpkg --get-selections
Filter manually or pipe to search:
dpkg --get-selections | grep libreoffice
Helps identify large or unnecessary packages like wolfram-engine, libreoffice, minecraft-pi, etc.
Step 2: Remove Specific Applications
Syntax:
sudo apt remove <package-name>
Example – Remove LibreOffice:
sudo apt remove --purge libreoffice*
Example – Remove Wolfram Engine:
sudo apt remove --purge wolfram-engine
--purge also deletes configuration files.
Step 3: Clean Orphaned Packages and Cache
Autoremove unused dependencies:
sudo apt autoremove
Clean APT cache:
sudo apt clean
These commands remove leftovers from previously uninstalled software.
Common Unused Software on Raspberry Pi OS (Desktop)
| Package | Description |
|---|---|
libreoffice* | Office suite (500MB+) |
wolfram-engine | Math engine rarely used by most users |
scratch* | Kids programming app |
minecraft-pi | Pre-installed Minecraft demo |
gnome-games | Lightweight games |
dillo, netsurf-gtk | Basic web browsers |
Step 4: Use GUI for Software Removal (Optional)
If using Raspberry Pi Desktop:
- Open “Add / Remove Software” from menu
- Search by name (e.g., “libreoffice”)
- Uncheck unwanted apps
- Click Apply
Best for beginners or those unsure of package names.
Step 5: Regular Maintenance Commands
| Command | What It Does |
|---|---|
sudo apt update && upgrade | Keeps system up to date |
sudo apt autoremove | Cleans unused libraries |
sudo apt clean | Deletes downloaded .deb cache |
df -h | View free disk space |
du -sh /path/* | Show folder sizes (e.g., /home/pi) |
Best Practices for Cleanup
| Do’s | Don’ts |
|---|---|
Use --purge to remove config files | Don’t delete core packages (raspberrypi-ui) |
Check space with df -h | Avoid removing systemd-related services |
| Backup before bulk uninstall | Don’t use rm -rf on system folders |
Review /var/cache, /tmp, /logs | Don’t remove /boot files manually |
Summary – Recap & Next Steps
Cleaning up unused software on your Raspberry Pi improves performance, storage availability, and system stability. Use apt remove, autoremove, and clean regularly, and avoid installing unnecessary bloat.
Key takeaways:
- Use
apt remove --purgefor full uninstallation - Clean orphaned packages with
autoremove - GUI tools available in Raspberry Pi Desktop
- Monitor space with
df -handdu -sh
Real-world relevance: Ideal for Pi used as kiosk, IoT node, media center, or server where minimal overhead is crucial.
FAQs – Removing Software on Raspberry Pi
Will removing software break my system?
No—if you avoid core desktop packages. Stick to known third-party tools and GUI apps.
How can I find what’s using the most space?
Use:
sudo du -ah / | sort -rh | head -n 20
Does apt remove delete config files too?
Not always. Use --purge to remove configs:
sudo apt remove --purge <package>
Can I reinstall removed software later?
Yes. Just run:
sudo apt install <package-name>
Should I remove packages like minecraft-pi or scratch?
Yes, if you’re not using them—they’re safe to remove and take up space.
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