> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://anaconda.com/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Uninstalling Anaconda Distribution

export const TroubleshootSolution = ({children}) => <>
    <hr className="my-3 w-full" />
    <details className="mt-3">
      <summary className="cursor-pointer font-semibold text-base mb-1">
        Solution
      </summary>
      <div className="mt-2 ml-4" data-component-part="step-content">
        {children}
      </div>
    </details>
  </>;

export const TroubleshootCause = ({children}) => <details className="mt-3 mb-2">
    <summary className="cursor-pointer font-semibold text-base mb-1">
      Cause
    </summary>
    <div className="mt-2 ml-4" data-component-part="step-content">
      {children}
    </div>
  </details>;

export const TroubleshootTitle = ({children}) => <>
    <p className="m-0 font-semibold text-xl leading-tight mb-2" role="heading" aria-level={3}>
      {children}
    </p>
    <hr className="my-3 w-full" />
  </>;

export const Troubleshoot = ({children}) => <div className="callout my-4 px-5 py-4 overflow-hidden rounded-2xl flex gap-3 border troubleshoot-admonition dark:troubleshoot-admonition" data-callout-type="troubleshoot">
    <div className="mt-0.5 w-4">
      <svg width="14" height="14" viewBox="0 0 640 640" fill="currentColor" className="w-4 h-4" aria-label="Troubleshoot">
        <path d="M541.4 162.6C549 155 561.7 156.9 565.5 166.9C572.3 184.6 576 203.9 576 224C576 312.4 504.4 384 416 384C398.5 384 381.6 381.2 365.8 376L178.9 562.9C150.8 591 105.2 591 77.1 562.9C49 534.8 49 489.2 77.1 461.1L264 274.2C258.8 258.4 256 241.6 256 224C256 135.6 327.6 64 416 64C436.1 64 455.4 67.7 473.1 74.5C483.1 78.3 484.9 91 477.4 98.6L388.7 187.3C385.7 190.3 384 194.4 384 198.6L384 240C384 248.8 391.2 256 400 256L441.4 256C445.6 256 449.7 254.3 452.7 251.3L541.4 162.6z" />
      </svg>
    </div>
    <div className="prose min-w-0 w-full">{children}</div>
  </div>;

export const Comments = ({children}) => {
  return <div class="my-4 px-5 py-4 overflow-hidden rounded-2xl flex gap-3 border border-zinc-500/20 bg-zinc-50/50 dark:border-zinc-500/30 dark:bg-zinc-500/10" data-callout-type="comments">
      <div class="w-4">
        <svg width="14" height="14" viewBox="0 0 640 640" fill="currentColor" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" class="w-5 h-5" aria-label="Comments">
            <path d="M320 112C434.9 112 528 205.1 528 320C528 434.9 434.9 528 320 528C205.1 528 112 434.9 112 320C112 205.1 205.1 112 320 112zM320 576C461.4 576 576 461.4 576 320C576 178.6 461.4 64 320 64C178.6 64 64 178.6 64 320C64 461.4 178.6 576 320 576zM280 400C266.7 400 256 410.7 256 424C256 437.3 266.7 448 280 448L360 448C373.3 448 384 437.3 384 424C384 410.7 373.3 400 360 400L352 400L352 312C352 298.7 341.3 288 328 288L280 288C266.7 288 256 298.7 256 312C256 325.3 266.7 336 280 336L304 336L304 400L280 400zM320 256C337.7 256 352 241.7 352 224C352 206.3 337.7 192 320 192C302.3 192 288 206.3 288 224C288 241.7 302.3 256 320 256z" />
        </svg>
      </div>
      <div class="text-sm prose min-w-0 w-full">
        {children}
      </div>
    </div>;
};

export const Danger = ({children}) => {
  return <div class="callout my-4 px-5 py-4 overflow-hidden rounded-2xl flex gap-3 border danger-admonition dark:danger-admonition" data-callout-type="danger">
      <div class="mt-0.5 w-4">
        <svg width="14" height="14" viewBox="0 0 14 14" fill="rgb(239, 68, 68)" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" class="w-4 h-4 text-sky-500" aria-label="Danger">
          <path fill-rule="evenodd" clip-rule="evenodd" d="M7 1.3C10.14 1.3 12.7 3.86 12.7 7C12.7 10.14 10.14 12.7 7 12.7C5.48908 12.6974 4.0408 12.096 2.97241 11.0276C1.90403 9.9592 1.30264 8.51092 1.3 7C1.3 3.86 3.86 1.3 7 1.3ZM7 0C3.14 0 0 3.14 0 7C0 10.86 3.14 14 7 14C10.86 14 14 10.86 14 7C14 3.14 10.86 0 7 0ZM8 3H6V8H8V3ZM8 9H6V11H8V9Z"></path>
        </svg>
      </div>
      <div class="text-sm prose min-w-0 w-full">
        {children}
      </div>
    </div>;
};

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Need to uninstall Anaconda Navigator?">
    For specific instructions on how to uninstall Anaconda Navigator, see [Uninstalling Navigator](/tools/anaconda-navigator/uninstall-navigator).
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Need to uninstall Miniconda?">
    For specific instructions on how to uninstall Miniconda, see [Uninstalling Miniconda](/getting-started/miniconda/uninstall).
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

This page provides comprehensive uninstallation procedures for Anaconda Distribution for all operating systems, including options for silent removal and cleanup of associated configuration files, caches, and user data.

<Note>
  The uninstall procedure might leave behind certain artifacts, such as desktop shortcuts or supplementary files, that must be deleted manually after uninstalling. This is a known issue.
</Note>

## Backing up environments

If you plan to reinstall Anaconda Distribution, back up your environments before uninstalling by exporting them to a `.yaml` file using the following command:

```sh theme={null}
conda env export --name <ENV_NAME> > <ENV_NAME>.yaml
```

<Comments>
  Replace \<ENV\_NAME> with the name of the environment you want to back up.
</Comments>

You can use this `.yaml` file to recreate your environments after reinstalling. For more information, see [Creating an environment](/getting-started/working-with-conda/environments#creating-an-environment).

## Uninstall procedure

Follow the uninstall procedure below for your operating system:

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Windows">
    <Tabs>
      <Tab title="Control Panel uninstall">
        1. (Optional) If you have created any environments outside your `anaconda3` directory, Anaconda recommends manually deleting them to increase available disc space on your computer. *This step must be performed before uninstalling Anaconda Distribution*.

                   <Accordion title="Uninstall environments outside the anaconda3 directory">
                     1. Open Anaconda Prompt.

                     2. View a list of all your environments by running the following command:

                        ```sh theme={null}
                        conda info --envs
                        ```

                        If you have any environments in a directory other than `anaconda3`, you will need to uninstall the directory that contains the environments. Uninstalling the directory with the following command deletes the environments' contents and <Tooltip tip="Removes the environment path from the list of known environments in environments.txt.">deregisters</Tooltip> them from your user files.

                     3. Uninstall the directory by running the following command:

                        ```sh theme={null}
                        C:\Users\<YOUR_USERNAME>\anaconda3\_conda constructor uninstall --prefix <PATH_TO_ENV_DIRECTORY>
                        ```

                                  <Comments>
                                    Replace \<YOUR\_USERNAME> with your Windows username.<br />
                                    Replace \<PATH\_TO\_ENV\_DIRECTORY> with the path to the directory that contains the environments.
                                  </Comments>
                   </Accordion>
        2. Search for "Control Panel" in the taskbar search and select the Control Panel app.
        3. Click **Uninstall a program** under **Programs**.
        4. Select Anaconda from the list of programs.
        5. Click **Uninstall**.
        6. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the uninstallation process.
        7. (Optional) Verify your uninstall was successful by searching for "Anaconda Prompt" in the taskbar search. The program should no longer appear.
      </Tab>

      <Tab title="Silent CLI uninstall">
        1. (Optional) If you have created any environments outside your `anaconda3` directory, Anaconda recommends manually deleting them to increase available disc space on your computer. *This step must be performed before uninstalling Anaconda Distribution*.

                   <Accordion title="Uninstall environments outside the anaconda3 directory">
                     1. Open Anaconda Prompt.

                     2. View a list of all your environments by running the following command:

                        ```sh theme={null}
                         conda info --envs
                        ```

                        If you have any environments in a directory other than `anaconda3`, you will need to uninstall the directory that contains the environments. Uninstalling the directory with the following command deletes the environments' contents and <Tooltip tip="Removes the environment path from the list of known environments in environments.txt.">deregisters</Tooltip> them from your user files.

                     3. Uninstall the directory by running the following command:

                        ```sh theme={null}
                        C:\Users\<YOUR_USERNAME>\anaconda3\_conda constructor uninstall --prefix <PATH_TO_ENV_DIRECTORY>
                        ```

                                  <Comments>
                                    Replace \<YOUR\_USERNAME> with your Windows username.<br />
                                    Replace \<PATH\_TO\_ENV\_DIRECTORY> with the path to the directory that contains the environments.
                                  </Comments>
                   </Accordion>

        2. Silently uninstall Anaconda Distribution using either Command Prompt or PowerShell:

                   <Tabs>
                     <Tab title="Command Prompt">
                       Open a new Command Prompt window and run the following command:

                       ```sh theme={null}
                       start /wait .\anaconda3\Uninstall-Anaconda3.exe /S
                       ```

                       As of Anaconda Distribution 2025.06, you can also use additional arguments to remove other files from your system.

                       <Accordion title="Optional uninstall arguments">
                         <Warning>
                           These arguments are *not* recommended if you have multiple conda installations.
                         </Warning>

                         | Argument              | Values                                                                 | Description                                                                                                                                                                   |
                         | :-------------------- | :--------------------------------------------------------------------- | :---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
                         | `/RemoveCaches=`      | <ul><li>`0`</li><li>`1`</li></ul>                                      | Removes caches (such as package and index caches, among others).                                                                                                              |
                         | `/RemoveConfigFiles=` | <ul><li>`none`</li><li>`user`</li><li>`system`</li><li>`all`</li></ul> | Removes configuration files such as `.condarc` files. `user` removes the files inside the current user's home directory and `system` removes files outside of that directory. |
                         | `/RemoveUserData=`    | <ul><li>`0`</li><li>`1`</li></ul>                                      | Removes user data, such as the `%USERPROFILE%\.conda` directory.                                                                                                              |

                         ```sh Example uninstall command with optional arguments theme={null}
                         start /wait .\anaconda3\Uninstall-Anaconda3.exe /S /RemoveCaches=1 /RemoveConfigFiles=user /RemoveUserData=1
                         ```
                       </Accordion>
                     </Tab>

                     <Tab title="PowerShell">
                       Open a new PowerShell window and run the following command:

                       ```powershell theme={null}
                       Start-Process -FilePath ".\anaconda3\Uninstall-Anaconda3.exe" -ArgumentList "/S" -Wait
                       ```

                       As of Anaconda Distribution 2025.06, you can also use additional arguments to remove other files from your system.

                       <Accordion title="Optional uninstall arguments">
                         <Warning>
                           These arguments are *not* recommended if you have multiple conda installations.
                         </Warning>

                         | Argument              | Values                                                                 | Description                                                                                                                                                                   |
                         | :-------------------- | :--------------------------------------------------------------------- | :---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
                         | `/RemoveCaches=`      | <ul><li>`0`</li><li>`1`</li></ul>                                      | Removes caches (such as package and index caches, among others).                                                                                                              |
                         | `/RemoveConfigFiles=` | <ul><li>`none`</li><li>`user`</li><li>`system`</li><li>`all`</li></ul> | Removes configuration files such as `.condarc` files. `user` removes the files inside the current user's home directory and `system` removes files outside of that directory. |
                         | `/RemoveUserData=`    | <ul><li>`0`</li><li>`1`</li></ul>                                      | Removes user data, such as such as the `${env:USERPROFILE}/.conda` directory.                                                                                                 |

                         ```powershell Example uninstall command with optional arguments theme={null}
                         Start-Process -FilePath ".\anaconda3\Uninstall-Anaconda3.exe" -ArgumentList "/S /RemoveCaches=1 /RemoveConfigFiles=user /RemoveUserData=1" -Wait
                         ```
                       </Accordion>
                     </Tab>
                   </Tabs>

                   <Note>
                     An uninstall of Anaconda Distribution may take several minutes to complete.
                   </Note>

        3. (Optional) Verify your uninstall was successful by searching for "Anaconda Prompt" in the taskbar search. The program should no longer appear.
      </Tab>
    </Tabs>
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="macOS/Linux">
    1. Open a new terminal application window.

    2. (Optional) If you have created any environments outside your `anaconda3` directory, you can manually delete them to increase available disc space on your computer. *This step must be performed before uninstalling Anaconda Distribution*.

           <Accordion title="Uninstall environments outside the anaconda3 directory">
             1. View a list of all your environments by running the following command:

                ```sh theme={null}
                conda info --envs
                ```

                If you have any environments in a directory other than `anaconda3`, you will need to uninstall the directory that contains the environments. Uninstalling the directory with the following command deletes the environments' contents and <Tooltip tip="Removes the environment path from the list of known environments in environments.txt.">deregisters</Tooltip> them from your user files.

             2. Uninstall the directory by running the following command:

                ```sh theme={null}
                ~/anaconda3/_conda constructor uninstall --prefix <PATH_TO_ENV_DIRECTORY>
                ```

                      <Comments>
                        Replace \<PATH\_TO\_ENV\_DIRECTORY> with the path to the directory that contains the environments.
                      </Comments>
           </Accordion>

    3. Use the following table to determine the uninstall path that's right for you:

       | Uninstall path | Use case                                                                                                                                                                                                                               |
       | :------------- | :------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
       | Basic          | You want a simple uninstall and you don't care if a few files are left behind.                                                                                                                                                         |
       | System         | You want a simple uninstall, but your install is in a system folder (like `/usr/` or `/opt/`). This happens when you use the macOS `.pkg` installer, for instance.<br /><br />Not sure where your install is? Run `conda info --base`. |
       | Advanced       | You want more control over your uninstall, like choosing to remove config files or user data.                                                                                                                                          |
       | Manual         | You don't have an `uninstall.sh` script to use because you installed with an installer *older than Anaconda Distribution version 2025.06*.                                                                                             |

           <Tabs>
             <Tab title="Basic uninstall">
               1. Deactivate your `(base)` environment by running the following command:

                  ```sh theme={null}
                  conda deactivate
                  ```

                  You should no longer see `(base)` in your terminal prompt.

               2. Run the uninstall script:

                  ```sh theme={null}
                  ~/anaconda3/uninstall.sh
                  ```
             </Tab>

             <Tab title="System uninstall">
               1. Deactivate your `(base)` environment by running the following command:

                  ```sh theme={null}
                  conda deactivate
                  ```

                  You should no longer see `(base)` in your terminal prompt.

               2. Run the uninstall script with admin privileges:

                  ```sh theme={null}
                  sudo -E /opt/anaconda3/uninstall.sh
                  ```
             </Tab>

             <Tab title="Advanced uninstall">
               1. Deactivate your `(base)` environment by running the following command:

                  ```sh theme={null}
                  conda deactivate
                  ```

                  You should no longer see `(base)` in your terminal prompt.

               2. Run the uninstall script with additional arguments to remove files:

                          <Warning>
                            Including additional uninstall arguments is optional. These arguments remove additional files from your system.

                            ***

                            If any files outside the installation directory are symlinks, it's possible that only the link will be removed, not the underlying files, meaning you'll need to find and delete them manually.

                            ***

                            These arguments are *not* recommended if you have multiple conda installations.
                          </Warning>

                  **Optional uninstall arguments**

                  | Argument                | Values                                                  | Description                                                                                                                                                                       |
                  | :---------------------- | :------------------------------------------------------ | :-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
                  | `--remove-caches`       |                                                         | Removes caches (such as package and index caches, among others).                                                                                                                  |
                  | `--remove-config-files` | <ul><li>`user`</li><li>`system`</li><li>`all`</li></ul> | Removes configuration files such as `.condarc` files. `user` removes the files inside the current user's home directory and `system` removes all files outside of that directory. |
                  | `--remove-user-data`    |                                                         | Removes user data, such as the `~/.conda` directory.                                                                                                                              |

                          <CodeGroup>
                            ```sh Example uninstall with optional arguments theme={null}
                            ~/anaconda3/uninstall.sh --remove-caches --remove-config-files user --remove-user-data
                            ```

                            ```sh Example system uninstall with optional arguments theme={null}
                            sudo -E /opt/anaconda3/uninstall.sh --remove-caches --remove-config-files user --remove-user-data
                            ```
                          </CodeGroup>
             </Tab>

             <Tab title="Manual uninstall">
               1. (Optional) Remove any conda initialization scripts from all your terminal shell profiles by running the following command:

                  ```sh theme={null}
                  conda activate
                  conda init --reverse --all
                  ```

                          <Accordion title="What are conda initialization scripts?">
                            Initialization scripts execute commands that configure your shell to automatically recognize conda commands.

                            For a technical explanation of initialization, see [Conda initialization](https://docs.conda.io/projects/conda/en/stable/dev-guide/deep-dives/activation.html#conda-initialization) in the official conda documentation.

                            To see a list of shells where conda can be initialized, see [conda init](https://docs.conda.io/projects/conda/en/stable/commands/init.html) in the official conda documentation.
                          </Accordion>

               2. Remove your entire `anaconda3` directory with `rm -rf`. Depending on your installation, this directory will be in your root folder or in your opt folder.

                          <Danger>
                            When paired with the `-r` (recursive) flag, the `f` (force) flag deletes all specified directories and the files within them without prompting you for confirmation. *Double-check and verify that you have correctly specified the directories you intend to delete before running* `rm -rf`, *as this action can't be undone*.
                          </Danger>

                  ```sh Example commands for deleting your anaconda3 folder theme={null}
                  # Run only one of the following commands, depending on your directory location
                  rm -rf anaconda3
                  rm -rf ~/anaconda3
                  sudo rm -rf /opt/anaconda3
                  ```

               3. (Optional) Remove the hidden `.condarc` file and `.conda` and `.continuum` directories from your home directory by running the following command:

                          <Warning>
                            Keep your `.condarc` file if you have custom configurations for conda and plan to reinstall.
                          </Warning>

                  ```sh theme={null}
                  rm -rf ~/.condarc ~/.conda ~/.continuum
                  ```
             </Tab>
           </Tabs>

    4. (Optional) Verify your uninstall by closing and reopening your terminal window and making sure that `(base)` does not reappear in your terminal prompt.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

## Troubleshooting

<Troubleshoot>
  <TroubleshootTitle>
    ### Files left behind after uninstalling Anaconda on Windows
  </TroubleshootTitle>

  <TroubleshootCause>
    Some users may need to keep settings files and other users may need to delete them, so Anaconda leaves some settings files in place when it is uninstalled. Specifically, the directories `.spyder2`, `.ipython`, `.matplotlib`, and `.astropy` remain. Depending on your version of Windows, these may be in `C:\Documents and Settings\<USERNAME>` or in `C:\Users\<USERNAME>`.

    <Note>
      Replace `<USERNAME>` with your Windows username as it appears in the `Documents and Settings` or `Users` folder.
    </Note>
  </TroubleshootCause>

  <TroubleshootSolution>
    Manually delete any unneeded settings files.
  </TroubleshootSolution>
</Troubleshoot>

<Troubleshoot>
  <TroubleshootTitle>
    ### Uninstaller requests admin privileges on Windows
  </TroubleshootTitle>

  <TroubleshootCause>
    After installing Anaconda or Miniconda as a non-administrative user on Windows, uninstalling may prompt for administrative privileges.<br /><br />

    This occurs when running the uninstaller by choosing Control Panel > Uninstall a program, selecting Anaconda or Miniconda from the list of programs, and clicking **Uninstall**.
  </TroubleshootCause>

  <TroubleshootSolution>
    Open the `anaconda3` or `miniconda3` installation folders and run the `.exe` file uninstaller from that location. Uninstallation will complete without prompting for administrative privileges.<br /><br />

    EXAMPLE: If you installed Miniconda3, the uninstall file will be `Uninstall-Miniconda3.exe`. Users who installed Miniconda2 or Anaconda will find a similar file with the appropriate name.
  </TroubleshootSolution>
</Troubleshoot>

<Troubleshoot>
  <TroubleshootTitle>
    ### Uninstall.sh not found
  </TroubleshootTitle>

  <TroubleshootCause>
    It is likely that you are receiving the `uninstall.sh not found` error for one of two reasons:

    * You are not using the correct file path to run the `uninstall.sh` file.
    * The `uninstall.sh` script was introduced in Anaconda Distribution 2025.06 (released June 23, 2025) and Miniconda 24.11.1 (released December 16, 2024). If you installed either product before those releases, the `uninstall.sh` file is not included.
  </TroubleshootCause>

  <TroubleshootSolution>
    Use the following instructions to find your `uninstall.sh` file and use it:

    1. Open a new Terminal window.

    2. Run the following command to find your installation folder:

       ```sh theme={null}
       conda info --base
       ```

    3. Check the contents of your installation folder for the `uninstall.sh` script:

       ```sh theme={null}
       ls <PATH/TO/INSTALLER>
       ```

           <Comments>
             Replace \<PATH/TO/INSTALLER> with the returned path from the previous command.
           </Comments>

    4. If your install is in your home directory (`\Users\<USERNAME>\` or `\home\<USERNAME>`), use the macOS/Linux **Basic uninstall** instructions.<br /><br />

       If your install is in your `\opt\` folder, use the macOS/Linux **System uninstall** instructions.<br /><br />

       If your install folder does not contain the `uninstall.sh` file, use the macOS/Linux **Manual uninstall** instructions.

       * [Anaconda Distribution uninstall instructions](/getting-started/anaconda/uninstall#uninstall-procedure)
       * [Miniconda uninstall instructions](/getting-started/miniconda/uninstall#uninstall-procedure)
  </TroubleshootSolution>
</Troubleshoot>