How to Uninstall Webmin & Usermin on Ubuntu

Webmin and Usermin are popular web-based interfaces for system administration on Unix systems. While they offer a convenient way to manage various aspects of your web server, there might be instances where you need to uninstall them, perhaps due to security concerns, system optimization, or migration to another tool.

In this guide, we will walk you through the steps to uninstall Webmin and Usermin from an Ubuntu system.

Let’s get started.

Step 1: Backup Your Data

Before making any significant changes to your system, it’s always a good idea to backup any important data. This ensures that you can restore your system to its previous state in case something goes wrong.

Step 2: Stop the Webmin and Usermin Services

Before uninstalling, ensure that both services are stopped.

sudo service webmin stop
sudo service usermin stop

Step 3: Remove the Webmin and Usermin Packages

If you installed Webmin and Usermin using the package manager, you can uninstall them using the following commands:

sudo apt-get purge webmin
sudo apt-get purge usermin

Step 4: Remove Configuration and Data Files

To ensure a complete removal, you should also delete any configuration and data files associated with Webmin and Usermin.

sudo rm -rf /etc/webmin
sudo rm -rf /etc/usermin
sudo rm -rf /var/webmin

Step 5: Remove the APT Repository (If Added)

If you added the Webmin repository to your APT sources, you should remove it to ensure your system doesn’t try to update from it in the future.

sudo rm /etc/apt/sources.list.d/webmin.list

Then, update your package database:

sudo apt-get update

Commands Mentioned

• sudo service webmin stop – Stops the Webmin service
• sudo service usermin stop – Stops the Usermin service
• sudo apt-get purge webmin – Uninstalls the Webmin package
• sudo apt-get purge usermin – Uninstalls the Usermin package
• sudo rm -rf /etc/webmin – Removes Webmin configuration files
• sudo rm -rf /etc/usermin – Removes Usermin configuration files
• sudo rm /etc/apt/sources.list.d/webmin.list – Removes the Webmin APT repository
• sudo apt-get update – Updates the package database

FAQ

1. Why might I need to uninstall Webmin or Usermin?

   There could be several reasons, including security concerns, system optimization, or a switch to another administrative tool.

2. Is it safe to remove the configuration files?

   Yes, but ensure you have backups in case you need to restore any settings or data in the future.

3. Can I reinstall Webmin or Usermin later?

   Absolutely. You can reinstall them anytime using the package manager or from their official sources.

4. What are the alternatives to Webmin and Usermin?

   There are several alternatives like cPanel, Plesk, and DirectAdmin, each with its own set of features and capabilities.

5. Do I need to restart my server after uninstallation?

   No, a restart isn’t mandatory, but it’s a good practice to ensure all changes are properly applied.

Conclusion

Uninstalling Webmin and Usermin from your Ubuntu system is a straightforward process. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can ensure a complete removal of both tools.

Always remember to backup any important data before making significant changes to your system.

If you’re considering other hosting solutions after uninstalling Webmin and Usermin, be sure to explore the various options available, such as dedicated server, VPS server, cloud hosting, and shared hosting.