[SOLVED] removing leftover dependancies

[nix4me]

I installed virtualbox and decided later that i don't like it. How do I remove all of the dependancies that were installed? Using synaptic to remove virtualbox does just that, then leave all of the qt libraries behind. Is there a log file of what got installed? Or another way to identify the orphan packages?

Tnanks

[Idefix82]

There is a tool which identifies orphaned packages. Have a look at this tutorial: http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=140920
Be careful though, sometimes it reports something as orphaned although you need it. Just because it's not a dependency of anything else on the system, doesn't always mean it's useless. I find the deborphan filter in Synaptic very handy. It's all in the tutorial.

If you want to be extra safe, before removing an orphaned package go to File->History in Synaptic and find it there. If it was installed on the same day as something that you know you have removed since, chances are that you really don't need it.

[meindian523]

Or in terminal

sudo apt-get autoremove

It gives a list of what shall be removed too,so you can say no if you see something you still need but reported as not required.

[stoneage]

Or another way to identify the orphan packages?

Tnanks

deborphan

[nix4me]

History in synaptic was most helpful. Thanks for the hint. I will try deborphan in the future.

Thanks.

[Idefix82]

You are welcome! Can you mark the thread as solved then?