how to uninstall pytorch

3 min read 05-02-2025

PyTorch, a popular open-source machine learning framework, is powerful and versatile. But sometimes, you need to uninstall it to update, troubleshoot, or free up disk space. This guide provides a comprehensive walkthrough of how to uninstall PyTorch on different operating systems and using various installation methods. We'll cover common scenarios and troubleshooting steps.

Understanding Your PyTorch Installation

Before uninstalling, it's crucial to understand how you initially installed PyTorch. The method you used will determine the best uninstallation procedure. Common methods include:

conda: PyTorch installed via the conda package manager.
pip: PyTorch installed using pip, Python's package installer.
Manual Installation: PyTorch installed by manually downloading and extracting files (less common).

This information is vital. Incorrectly uninstalling can leave leftover files or break your Python environment.

Uninstalling PyTorch with conda

If you used conda to install PyTorch, uninstalling is straightforward:

Open your Anaconda Prompt or terminal. This is where you'll execute the uninstallation command.
Identify the PyTorch environment. If you installed PyTorch in a specific conda environment, activate it first using: conda activate <environment_name> (replace <environment_name> with your environment's name).
Uninstall PyTorch: Execute the following command: conda remove pytorch torchvision torchaudio. This removes PyTorch, torchvision (its computer vision library), and torchaudio (its audio library). You can remove each individually if needed.
Deactivate the environment (optional): If you activated an environment, deactivate it using: conda deactivate

Uninstalling PyTorch with pip

If you installed PyTorch using pip, the process is slightly different:

Open your terminal or command prompt.
Uninstall PyTorch: Use the pip uninstall command: pip uninstall torch torchvision torchaudio. As with conda, this uninstalls all three packages. Again, you can uninstall them individually if preferred.
Verify removal: Check if PyTorch is still installed by running pip show torch. If it's uninstalled, you should get an error message.

Troubleshooting PyTorch Uninstallation

Leftover Files: Sometimes, uninstalling leaves behind configuration files or other remnants. Manually deleting these files is generally not recommended as it could damage your system. Instead, try these steps:

Reinstall and then uninstall: Reinstalling PyTorch and then immediately uninstalling it can sometimes remove stubborn leftover files. It's a bit unconventional, but sometimes effective.
Check your site-packages directory: The location of your Python packages depends on your system. Use a file explorer to cautiously examine the directory for PyTorch-related files. Do not delete files unless you are absolutely certain of what they are.

Permission Errors: If you encounter permission errors during uninstallation, you may need administrator or root privileges. Run your terminal or command prompt as an administrator to resolve this issue.

Multiple PyTorch Installations: You might have PyTorch installed in multiple environments (e.g., one with conda and another with pip). Make sure to uninstall it from all relevant environments.

Uninstalling Manually Installed PyTorch

This is a less common scenario, but if you manually installed PyTorch by extracting files, you'll have to manually remove those files and directories. Be absolutely certain of what you're deleting to avoid damaging your system. Consult the PyTorch documentation for the specific file locations. This approach is strongly discouraged unless you're comfortable with system-level file management.

Verifying the Uninstallation

After following the appropriate uninstallation steps, verify that PyTorch is completely removed. Try importing it into a Python script:

import torch

If the import fails with a ModuleNotFoundError, the uninstallation was successful. If not, revisit the steps above and check for residual files or installations.

Conclusion

Uninstalling PyTorch can be straightforward if you understand your installation method. By following these steps and troubleshooting tips, you can effectively remove PyTorch from your system, ensuring a clean slate for future installations or other projects. Remember to always exercise caution when manually deleting files.