How to uninstall Zorin Connect and Print Settings if doing so via Software doesn't work?

[Nero]

I trust you. The post is from 7 months ago, but I somewhat doubt it's out of date and I cannot find in Google information about what the Pro minimal install entails precisely.

I'm all for devs offering a lot of pre-installed stuff for people who need them, but I use none of them. I'm very much just a gaming and browser user. I don't need OBS, etc (I reckon it's one of stuff pre-installed with regular Pro install). Maybe if I manage to find info about what Minimal has, I'll buy Pro and have all my issues fixed, haha.

[Aravisian]

Pro is aimed toward the crowd that likes to explore app offerings. To Get something for what they pay. It really is not geared toward the Minimal Install...
It would not be worth it to you to choose Pro, then find it it does not do what you want.

When I first moved over to Linux from Windows... I did very similar. I went into ROOT, too. And removed anything extraneous.
I nuked my build.
A lot.
It bothered me seeing things I do not use.

Then I started making themes and icon sets and found it useful to keep a lot of the stuff I didn't want.
It allowed me to Test my creations rather than awaiting bug reports from users that won't bother to make a report.
In the end, it caused me to get over my attitudes... My hard drive is mostly free space. I do not need to worry about some app I do not use taking up space.
I understand your point as I am much the same way. But I also point out that it is OK to relax a bit.

[Nero]

I'll probably grow into that attitude. Do you know if there is a list of Core pre-installed stuff that's safe to uninstall? I think I might need to reinstall my system for Software to work properly.

[Aravisian]

@Nero

Do you know if there is a list of Core pre-installed stuff that's safe to uninstall?

Not handy but... I bet a list could be compiled...

[Nero]

If my eyes don't fail me, DistroWatch.com: Zorin OS seems to have the list in the table below. The only one I recognize from stuff I've uninstalled is LibreOffice, but, as you saw through the Terminal, I uninstalled far, far more. I went from 2 pages in 'Show Applications' to 2 lines in one page. (with some bulk in Utilities folder, but I only put there stuff which Software doesn't allow to uninstall). I'll reinstall the system right now. If you come up with what's safe to get rid of, I'll appreciate, but I'm aware I stole a lot of your time and will understand if you don't want to waste any more.

[Aravisian]

@Nero

If my eyes don't fail me, DistroWatch.com: Zorin OS seems to have the list in the table below.

That is not a list of all installed, just the general common packages for comparison with other distros.
Once you reinstall Zorin OS, open terminal and run:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade

apt list --installed

Paste the output of apt list --installed using the Gear Icon on the reply window toolbar - Hide Details

[mjw]

@Nero

The terminal responded with "invalid operation uninstall".

Sorry, that was a typo… flatpak uses uninstall whereas apt and snap use remove.

[Nero]

Oh hell no, I see you trying to trick me to ignore the hog. There's still some bloatware.

How to sudo remove the ones circled in red? The ones circled in blue I'd be happy to remove, but not a priority.

Also, how to sudo install non-flatpak Steam? Before re-install I installed it, but it would open Update window on every restart so I think I might had done something wrong, hence why I ask now.

[Aravisian]

@Nero

Oh hell no, I see you trying to trick me to ignore the hog. There's still some bloatware.

Huh?

@Nero

Also, how to sudo install non-flatpak Steam?

I use

sudo apt install steam

It may be due to me already removing both snap and flatpak

sudo apt remove --purge snapd flatpak

@Nero

How to sudo remove the ones circled in red?

I see you include the Gnome-date-time app(gnome-clocks). This cannot be removed, it is part of timedatectrl. This application handles how to keep up with date and time, which is necessary for Updater, etc.
You can however, remove the visibility of unwanted apps by removing their .desktop files from /usr/share/applications.

You have "Main Menu" listed- this should not be removed. It is how you edit the app menu. This package name is menulibre - remove at your own risk.
Firewall Configuration (package gufw) should not be removed. Remove at your own risk.
See above about removing desktop files.

sudo apt remove --purge aisleriot brasero brasero-common gnome-calendar cheese cheese-common evolution gnome-contacts libreoffice* gnome-mahjongg eog pitivi gnome-mines gnome-maps gnome-todo quadrapassel remmina remmina-common gnome-tour gnome-sound-recorder totem gnome-sudoku gnome-weather

[Nero]

I thought the Hide would just hide instead of removing what bothers me. I'll trust you with what shouldn't be removed. Aren't the Zorin themes flatpak? Do they not need the flatpak thing to run? Anyway, I ran both 'sudo apt remove --purge snapd flatpak' and 'sudo apt remove --purge aisleriot brasero brasero-common gnome-calendar cheese cheese-common evolution gnome-contacts libreoffice* gnome-mahjongg eog pitivi gnome-mines gnome-maps gnome-todo quadrapassel remmina remmina-common gnome-tour gnome-sound-recorder totem gnome-sudoku gnome-weather'. If something is necessary then I'll just try to not look at it.

After this, I'm now missing settings and if I try to open them from the taskbar, I get "Execution of gnome-control-center failed". It's even worse than it was.

[Aravisian]

@Nero

Aren't the Zorin themes flatpak?

No, just versions of the themes for Flatpak are included.
They can be safely removed if you are not using Flatpak.
If you are using flatpak, then you can keep them.

@Nero

After this, I'm now missing settings and if I try to open them from the taskbar, I get "Execution of gnome-control-center failed". It's even worse than it was.

sudo apt install gnome-control-center

[Nero]

Bless you! I don't think all of the ones from the big command uninstalled. I see some of the games still in, but I've seen their names in the big command.

Can they be somehow nuked? I want to keep Gimp. If any of these isn't needed and can be safely installed, I'd like that.

I'm also stuck with Wine System Tray which I'm unable to quit and it looks unlike it used to:

Any idea what killed it?

[Aravisian]

@Nero

Can they be somehow nuked? I want to keep Gimp. If any of these isn't needed and can be safely installed, I'd like that.

Try uninstalling any games as normal from Gnome-Software. All Games are safe to remove.

@Nero

I'm also stuck with Wine System Tray which I'm unable to quit and it looks unlike it used to:

Have you rebooted?

@Nero

I thought the Hide would just hide instead of removing what bothers me.

You can remove the desktop file for anything int he app menu you no longer wish to see. You can still launch those apps, if needed, with alt+F2 and then type in the application name. For example,

menulibre

[Nero]

Just rebooted, Software Installed is back to being blank.

[Aravisian]

@Nero

Software Installed is back to being blank.

I have no idea what is causing that on a Fresh New Install... You did reinstall gnome-control-center, yes?

One thing: In terminal, when you remove a package, it tells you what it is removing with it.
Be sure to check what it will remove for anything that shouldn't go.
I made a thread sometime back about some innocuous package I went to install, only to note that it wanted to remove the entire Zorin Desktop, with it.

When an innocent installation kills your system

I have been exploring different x11 tools for creating Mouse Pointer themes. One of them stated that I need to install xcursorgen. I typed sudo apt install xcursorgen in terminal and it stated that package has no installation candidate, but x11-apps and x11aps-i386 replaces it. Now… When users install Wine, they need to install for both 686 and 386. So, it seemed reasonable to install both here… x11-apps said it is already installed. But when I entered to install the i386, this is what came u…

[Nero]

I did. Whenever it asks me to Y/n it mentions above if I want to remove anything extra (or so I understand it) and I don't, so I ignore it since it tells me to write down an extra command if I wish to.

2022-04-03 15:09:21 startup packages remove
2022-04-03 15:09:21 remove zorin-connect:all 1.2.2
2022-04-03 15:09:22 remove gnome-shell-extension-zorin-connect-browsers:all 53
2022-04-03 15:09:22 remove gnome-shell-extension-zorin-connect:all 53
2022-04-03 15:23:34 startup packages remove
2022-04-03 15:23:34 remove chromium-codecs-ffmpeg-extra:amd64 1:85.0.4183.83-0ubuntu0.20.04.2
2022-04-03 15:23:34 remove gir1.2-folks-0.6:amd64 0.13.2-1
2022-04-03 15:23:35 remove gir1.2-ebookcontacts-1.2:amd64 3.36.5-0ubuntu1
2022-04-03 15:23:36 remove gir1.2-edataserver-1.2:amd64 3.36.5-0ubuntu1
2022-04-03 15:23:36 remove gir1.2-camel-1.2:amd64 3.36.5-0ubuntu1
2022-04-03 15:23:37 remove gir1.2-gdata-0.0:amd64 0.17.12-1
2022-04-03 15:23:37 remove gir1.2-gee-0.8:amd64 0.20.3-1
2022-04-03 15:23:38 remove gstreamer1.0-vaapi:amd64 1.16.2-2
2022-04-03 15:23:38 remove heif-gdk-pixbuf:amd64 1.6.1-1build1
2022-04-03 15:23:38 remove libfwupdplugin1:amd64 1.5.11-0ubuntu1~20.04.2
2022-04-03 15:23:39 remove libva-wayland2:amd64 2.7.0-2
2022-04-03 15:23:39 remove sshfs:amd64 3.6.0+repack+really2.10-0ubuntu1
2022-04-03 15:35:12 startup packages remove
2022-04-03 15:35:13 remove gnome-software-plugin-flatpak:amd64 3.36.1-0ubuntu0.20.04.0+zorin1
2022-04-03 15:35:13 remove flatpak:amd64 1.12.4-1flatpak1~20.04
2022-04-03 15:35:19 remove gnome-software-plugin-snap:amd64 3.36.1-0ubuntu0.20.04.0+zorin1
2022-04-03 15:35:21 remove snapd:amd64 2.54.3+20.04.1ubuntu0.2
2022-04-03 15:36:47 startup packages remove
2022-04-03 15:36:47 remove aisleriot:amd64 1:3.22.9-1
2022-04-03 15:36:49 remove brasero:amd64 3.12.2-6ubuntu1
2022-04-03 15:36:49 remove brasero-cdrkit:amd64 3.12.2-6ubuntu1
2022-04-03 15:36:50 remove nautilus-extension-brasero:amd64 3.12.2-6ubuntu1
2022-04-03 15:36:50 remove libbrasero-media3-1:amd64 3.12.2-6ubuntu1
2022-04-03 15:36:51 remove brasero-common:all 3.12.2-6ubuntu1
2022-04-03 15:36:52 remove cheese:amd64 3.34.0-1ubuntu1
2022-04-03 15:36:53 remove zorin-os-desktop:amd64 1.5.12
2022-04-03 15:36:54 remove gnome-control-center:amd64 1:3.38.6-0ubuntu1+zorin3
2022-04-03 15:36:55 remove gnome-contacts:amd64 3.36.1-1
2022-04-03 15:36:55 remove libcheese-gtk25:amd64 3.34.0-1ubuntu1
2022-04-03 15:36:56 remove libcheese8:amd64 3.34.0-1ubuntu1
2022-04-03 15:36:56 remove cheese-common:all 3.34.0-1ubuntu1
2022-04-03 15:36:57 remove eog:amd64 3.36.3-0ubuntu1
2022-04-03 15:36:58 remove evolution-plugin-bogofilter:amd64 3.36.5-0ubuntu1
2022-04-03 15:36:58 remove evolution-plugins:amd64 3.36.5-0ubuntu1
2022-04-03 15:36:59 remove evolution-ews:amd64 3.36.5-0ubuntu1.1
2022-04-03 15:37:02 remove evolution-plugin-pstimport:amd64 3.36.5-0ubuntu1
2022-04-03 15:37:03 remove gnome-calendar:amd64 3.38.2-1+zorin1
2022-04-03 15:37:03 remove gnome-mahjongg:amd64 1:3.36.1-1
2022-04-03 15:37:04 remove gnome-maps:amd64 3.38.2-zorin1
2022-04-03 15:37:05 remove gnome-mines:amd64 1:3.36.0-1
2022-04-03 15:37:05 remove libreoffice-writer:amd64 1:7.3.1~rc3-0ubuntu0.20.04.1~lo1
2022-04-03 15:37:06 remove libreoffice-calc:amd64 1:7.3.1~rc3-0ubuntu0.20.04.1~lo1
2022-04-03 15:37:06 remove libreoffice-base-core:amd64 1:7.3.1~rc3-0ubuntu0.20.04.1~lo1
2022-04-03 15:37:07 remove python3-uno:amd64 1:7.3.1~rc3-0ubuntu0.20.04.1~lo1
2022-04-03 15:37:07 remove libreoffice-impress:amd64 1:7.3.1~rc3-0ubuntu0.20.04.1~lo1
2022-04-03 15:37:08 remove libreoffice-help-en-us:all 1:7.3.1~rc3-0ubuntu0.20.04.1~lo1
2022-04-03 15:37:10 remove libreoffice-help-common:all 1:7.3.1~rc3-0ubuntu0.20.04.1~lo1
2022-04-03 15:37:11 remove libreoffice-draw:amd64 1:7.3.1~rc3-0ubuntu0.20.04.1~lo1
2022-04-03 15:37:11 remove libreoffice-gnome:amd64 1:7.3.1~rc3-0ubuntu0.20.04.1~lo1
2022-04-03 15:37:11 remove libreoffice-gtk3:amd64 1:7.3.1~rc3-0ubuntu0.20.04.1~lo1
2022-04-03 15:37:12 remove libreoffice-style-elementary:all 1:7.3.1~rc3-0ubuntu0.20.04.1~lo1
2022-04-03 15:37:12 remove libreoffice-style-yaru:all 1:7.3.1~rc3-0ubuntu0.20.04.1~lo1
2022-04-03 15:37:13 remove pitivi:amd64 0.999-2+zorin1
2022-04-03 15:37:14 remove evolution:amd64 3.36.5-0ubuntu1
2022-04-03 15:37:14 remove libreoffice-core:amd64 1:7.3.1~rc3-0ubuntu0.20.04.1~lo1
2022-04-03 15:37:14 remove libreoffice-common:all 1:7.3.1~rc3-0ubuntu0.20.04.1~lo1
2022-04-03 15:37:19 remove libreoffice-style-colibre:all 1:7.3.1~rc3-0ubuntu0.20.04.1~lo1
2022-04-03 15:44:13 startup packages remove
2022-04-03 15:44:13 remove quadrapassel:amd64 1:3.36.0-1
2022-04-03 15:44:22 startup packages remove
2022-04-03 15:44:22 remove remmina-plugin-vnc:amd64 1.4.2+dfsg-1ubuntu1+zorin1
2022-04-03 15:44:23 remove remmina-plugin-secret:amd64 1.4.2+dfsg-1ubuntu1+zorin1
2022-04-03 15:44:24 remove remmina-plugin-rdp:amd64 1.4.2+dfsg-1ubuntu1+zorin1
2022-04-03 15:44:24 remove remmina:amd64 1.4.2+dfsg-1ubuntu1+zorin1
2022-04-03 15:58:51 startup packages remove
2022-04-03 15:58:51 remove gnome-sudoku:amd64 1:3.36.0-1
2022-04-03 15:58:53 remove libqqwing2v5:amd64 1.3.4-1.1build1
2022-04-03 15:59:03 startup packages remove
2022-04-03 15:59:03 remove rhythmbox-plugins:amd64 3.4.4-1ubuntu2
2022-04-03 15:59:03 remove gir1.2-rb-3.0:amd64 3.4.4-1ubuntu2
2022-04-03 15:59:04 remove libgpod-common:amd64 0.8.3-15
2022-04-03 15:59:04 remove libgpod4:amd64 0.8.3-15
2022-04-03 15:59:05 remove liblirc-client0:amd64 0.10.1-6.1ubuntu1.1
2022-04-03 15:59:05 remove rhythmbox-plugin-alternative-toolbar:all 0.19.3-1.1
2022-04-03 15:59:06 remove rhythmbox:amd64 3.4.4-1ubuntu2
2022-04-03 15:59:07 remove librhythmbox-core10:amd64 3.4.4-1ubuntu2
2022-04-03 15:59:08 remove libsgutils2-2:amd64 1.44-1ubuntu2
2022-04-03 15:59:08 remove media-player-info:all 24-2
2022-04-03 15:59:09 remove python3-mako:all 1.1.0+ds1-1ubuntu2
2022-04-03 15:59:09 remove python3-markupsafe:amd64 1.1.0-1build2
2022-04-03 15:59:10 remove rhythmbox-data:all 3.4.4-1ubuntu2
2022-04-03 15:59:19 startup packages remove
2022-04-03 15:59:19 remove seahorse:amd64 3.36-1
2022-04-03 15:59:20 remove libhandy-0.0-0:amd64 0.0.13-1
2022-04-03 15:59:28 startup packages remove
2022-04-03 15:59:28 remove gnome-sound-recorder:all 3.38.0-1+zorin1
2022-04-03 15:59:29 remove gir1.2-gst-plugins-bad-1.0:amd64 1.16.2-2.1ubuntu1
2022-04-03 15:59:29 remove gir1.2-handy-1:amd64 1.1.90-2+zorin1
2022-04-03 15:59:35 startup packages remove
2022-04-03 15:59:35 remove gnome-todo:amd64 3.28.1-5
2022-04-03 15:59:36 remove gnome-todo-common:all 3.28.1-5
2022-04-03 15:59:36 remove libgnome-todo:amd64 3.28.1-5
2022-04-03 15:59:47 startup packages remove
2022-04-03 15:59:47 remove totem-plugins:amd64 3.34.1-2ubuntu2
2022-04-03 15:59:48 remove gir1.2-totem-1.0:amd64 3.34.1-2ubuntu2
2022-04-03 15:59:48 remove gir1.2-totemplparser-1.0:amd64 3.26.5-1ubuntu1
2022-04-03 15:59:49 remove gstreamer1.0-plugins-bad:amd64 1.16.2-2.1ubuntu1
2022-04-03 15:59:49 remove libdc1394-22:amd64 2.2.5-2.1
2022-04-03 15:59:50 remove libdca0:amd64 0.0.6-1
2022-04-03 15:59:51 remove libfaad2:amd64 2.9.1-1
2022-04-03 15:59:51 remove libfluidsynth2:amd64 2.1.1-2
2022-04-03 15:59:52 remove libnice10:amd64 0.1.16-1
2022-04-03 15:59:52 remove libgupnp-igd-1.0-4:amd64 0.2.5-5
2022-04-03 15:59:53 remove libinstpatch-1.0-2:amd64 1.1.2-2build1
2022-04-03 15:59:54 remove libkate1:amd64 0.4.1-11build1
2022-04-03 15:59:54 remove libmplex2-2.1-0:amd64 1:2.1.0+debian-6build1
2022-04-03 15:59:55 remove libmpeg2encpp-2.1-0:amd64 1:2.1.0+debian-6build1
2022-04-03 15:59:55 remove libmjpegutils-2.1-0:amd64 1:2.1.0+debian-6build1
2022-04-03 15:59:55 remove libmms0:amd64 0.6.4-3
2022-04-03 15:59:56 remove libmodplug1:amd64 1:0.8.9.0-2build1
2022-04-03 15:59:56 remove libmpcdec6:amd64 2:0.1~r495-2
2022-04-03 15:59:57 remove libofa0:amd64 0.9.3-21
2022-04-03 15:59:58 remove libopenal1:amd64 1:1.19.1-1
2022-04-03 15:59:58 remove libopenal-data:all 1:1.19.1-1
2022-04-03 15:59:58 remove libsndio7.0:amd64 1.5.0-3
2022-04-03 15:59:59 remove libsoundtouch1:amd64 2.1.2+ds1-1build1
2022-04-03 16:00:00 remove libspandsp2:amd64 0.0.6+dfsg-2
2022-04-03 16:00:00 remove libsrt1:amd64 1.4.0-1build1
2022-04-03 16:00:01 remove libsrtp2-1:amd64 2.3.0-2
2022-04-03 16:00:02 remove totem:amd64 3.34.1-2ubuntu2
2022-04-03 16:00:02 remove libtotem0:amd64 3.34.1-2ubuntu2
2022-04-03 16:00:03 remove libusrsctp1:amd64 0.9.3.0+20190901-1
2022-04-03 16:00:03 remove libvo-aacenc0:amd64 0.1.3-2
2022-04-03 16:00:04 remove libvo-amrwbenc0:amd64 0.1.3-2
2022-04-03 16:00:04 remove libwildmidi2:amd64 0.4.3-1
2022-04-03 16:00:05 remove libzbar0:amd64 0.23-1.3
2022-04-03 16:00:05 remove timgm6mb-soundfont:all 1.3-3
2022-04-03 16:00:08 remove totem-common:all 3.34.1-2ubuntu2

Here's the logs from 'grep "remove" /var/log/dpkg.log'.

I noticed those:

2022-04-03 15:36:53 remove zorin-os-desktop:amd64 1.5.12
2022-04-03 15:36:54 remove gnome-control-center:amd64 1:3.38.6-0ubuntu1+zorin3

I'm not well wersed enough for any other to raise my suspicion. We already reinstalled gnome-control-center (albeit I've no idea why it got nuked). Should I also reinstall desktop? Nothing is not-not working, from what I see.

Edit: copied console result for better readibility.
Edit2: I used sudo apt install zorin-os-desktop and I'm letting it do its thing.

[Nero]

After 'sudo apt install zorin-os-desktop' all the gnome games are back in softwares, but when I click remove on them, it says no package to remove. They're also back in the menu. I admit defeat.

[Aravisian]

LOL you just reinstalled everything we removed. If you install the desktop... you'll get everything that comes with it.

@Nero

2022-04-03 15:36:53 remove zorin-os-desktop:amd64 1.5.12

What were you removing that threw that one up?

Try

sudo apt remove --purge aisleriot brasero brasero-common cheese cheese-common evolution gnome-contacts libreoffice* gnome-mahjongg eog pitivi gnome-mines gnome-maps gnome-todo quadrapassel remmina remmina-common gnome-sound-recorder totem gnome-sudoku

[Nero]

So I experimented today. Cheese-common is the one which wants to uninstall gnome-control-center and zorin-os-desktop.

Any of these below safe to remove and if yes, how to?

• Power Statistics
• Rhythmbox
• Tour
• Weather
• Photos
• Document Scanner
• Backups
• Passwords and... (GnuPG keys)

I

[Aravisian]

@Nero

Cheese-common is the one which wants to uninstall gnome-control-center and zorin-os-desktop.

I did not expect this, actually. Cheese is the Webcam App. There are others available...

@Nero

Passwords and... (GnuPG keys)

Do not remove. This is an essential package for handling password related security.

@Nero

Rhythmbox
Document Scanner

I always remove these. They are safe to remove.

@Nero

Backups
Photos
Weather
Tour

I am unsure on these. I think they are safe to remove - but I thought Cheese was. Without testing to be sure...
I am on Zorin OS Lite and on Lite, I know tour is safe to remove. But it may be different on Gnome (Zorin Core).
It is easier to remove a Gnome app from XFCE than it is from Gnome.