How to delete an installed module in Python?

Python provides several methods to uninstall installed packages. The most common approaches are using pip (Python's default package manager) or conda (for Anaconda/Miniconda environments).

Uninstalling a Package Using pip

The pip command is Python's standard package manager. It allows you to install, upgrade, and uninstall Python packages from the Python Package Index (PyPI).

Basic Syntax

pip uninstall package_name

Example: Uninstalling scipy

Here's how to uninstall the scipy package using pip ?

pip uninstall scipy

The output will show the files to be removed and ask for confirmation ?

Found existing installation: scipy 1.8.1
Uninstalling scipy-1.8.1:
   Would remove:
   c:\users\lenovo\appdata\local\programs\python\python310\lib\site-packages\scipy-1.8.1.dist-info\*
   c:\users\lenovo\appdata\local\programs\python\python310\lib\site-packages\scipy\*
Proceed (Y/n)? y
   Successfully uninstalled scipy-1.8.1

Additional pip Options

You can use additional flags with pip uninstall ?

# Skip confirmation prompt
pip uninstall -y package_name

# Uninstall for specific Python version
pip3 uninstall package_name

# Uninstall user-installed package
pip uninstall --user package_name

Limitations of pip uninstall

Note: pip cannot remove the following types of packages ?

• Pure distutils packages installed with python setup.py install (no metadata stored)

• Development installations created with python setup.py develop

• System packages installed by the operating system

For such packages, you can create a record during installation and manually remove files ?

python setup.py install --record files.txt

Uninstalling a Package Using conda

If you're using Anaconda or Miniconda, conda is the preferred package manager. It handles both Python packages and system dependencies.

Basic Syntax

conda uninstall package_name

Example: Uninstalling numpy

Here's how to uninstall numpy using conda ?

conda uninstall numpy

The output shows the package plan and dependencies to be removed ?

Collecting package metadata (repodata.json): done
Solving environment: done

## Package Plan ##
   environment location: C:\Users\Lenovo\anaconda3

   removed specs:
      - numpy

The following packages will be REMOVED:

   blas-1.0-mkl
   intel-openmp-2021.4.0-haa95532_3556
   mkl-2021.4.0-haa95532_640
   mkl-service-2.4.0-py39h2bbff1b_0
   mkl_fft-1.3.1-py39h277e83a_0
   mkl_random-1.2.2-py39hf11a4ad_0
   numpy-1.23.1-py39h7a0a035_0
   numpy-base-1.23.1-py39hca35cd5_0

Proceed ([y]/n)? y

Preparing transaction: done
Verifying transaction: done
Executing transaction: done

Additional conda Options

# Uninstall from specific environment
conda uninstall -n myenv package_name

# Skip confirmation
conda uninstall --yes package_name

# Remove all unused dependencies
conda uninstall --prune package_name

Comparison

Conclusion

Use pip uninstall for standard Python packages and conda uninstall for Anaconda environments. conda provides better dependency management by automatically removing unused dependencies along with the target package.