5 Removing Oracle Software

This chapter describes how to completely remove all software from an Oracle home directory.

Note:

If you want to remove an individual product, check the product-specific documentation for requirements and restrictions.

Removing Oracle Software

The following steps describe how to use the Installer to remove Oracle software from an Oracle home:

Note:

Always use the Oracle Universal Installer to remove Oracle software. Do not delete any Oracle home directories without first using the Installer to remove the software.

If necessary, log in as the oracle user:
```
$ su - oracle
```

Set the ORACLE_HOME environment variable to specify the path of the Oracle home directory that you want to remove:

Bourne, Bash, or Korn shell:

$ ORACLE_HOME=/Volumes/u01/app/oracle/product/10.1.0/client_1 
$ export ORACLE_HOME

C shell:

$ setenv ORACLE_HOME /Volumes/u01/app/oracle/product/10.1.0/client_1

Start the Installer as follows:
```
$ $ORACLE_HOME/oui/bin/runInstaller
```
In the Welcome screen, click Deinstall Products.

The Inventory screen appears, listing all of the Oracle homes on the system.
In the Inventory screen, select the Oracle home or the products that you want to remove, then click Remove.

The Installer displays a confirmation screen asking you to confirm that you want to deinstall the products and their dependant components.
Click Yes.

The Installer displays a progress indicator as it removes the software.