Can I uninstall Compiz

**Irony** · May 5th, 2013

I've just done a fresh install of 12.04 and notice that compiz is installed in synaptic - why is it there?

I don't use compiz.

Can I uninstall compiz or is unity using it?

**PhilGil** · May 5th, 2013

Compiz is the window manager for the Unity desktop. It's necessary - don't even think about uninstalling.

**Frogs Hair** · May 6th, 2013

Unity is a Compiz plugin.

**ibjsb4** · May 6th, 2013

Yep, install gnome-classic ( runs on metacity) and remove compiz

**Zestypanda** · May 6th, 2013

Unless you wanna use an alternative, Waylin, vala, kwin, I suggest you leave it alone. I think that compiz is also vital to unity 2D

**grahammechanical** · May 6th, 2013

You can do what you like. That is the freeedom of open source software. You can even break the OS, if you remove Unity and Compiz before installing an alternative desktop. My advice is to make a note of the packages that you remove and then you will know what packkages you may need to re-install if something breaks.

**Irony** · May 6th, 2013

Thanks all, I'll keep Compiz - I thought perhaps it was some package installed but not actually used by anything, but I see from your comments that unity uses it.