Sometimes you just can't avoid it: you have to completely remove the Arduino IDE. Maybe you've experienced it yourself — problems with libraries, boards not being recognized, or simply errors that cannot be reproduced on another PC. When this happens, it's time to clean up and start fresh. To make this process quick and clean, I'll show you how to fully uninstall the Arduino IDE — including handy scripts for every operating system.
Because unfortunately, just deleting the app or program and reinstalling isn't enough. You also need to manually clear many directories to truly start from scratch.
Why completely remove the Arduino IDE?
There are many reasons to delete the Arduino IDE. Often, issues start quite harmlessly:
- A library is acting up
- A board no longer appears
- The software simply no longer runs smoothly
It's especially frustrating if you test everything on another computer and suddenly everything works fine there.
At the latest then, it becomes clear: simple uninstalling is not enough—you need a complete restart. And that's exactly what this guide is for.
Scripts for every operating system – here’s how
To make your life easier, here are scripts for the common operating systems. Whether Windows, macOS, or Linux — with these scripts you can remove the Arduino IDE along with all leftover files.
macOS
Save the following script as a .sh file and run it in the Terminal:
#!/bin/bash
echo "Removing Arduino IDE and associated files..."
# Path to Arduino IDE application
if [ -d "/Applications/Arduino.app" ]; then
echo "Deleting Arduino IDE..."
sudo rm -rf /Applications/Arduino.app
else
echo "Arduino IDE not found in the Applications folder."
fi
# Arduino user data path
ARDUINO_PREFS="$HOME/Library/Arduino15"
if [ -d "$ARDUINO_PREFS" ]; then
echo "Deleting user preferences (Library/Arduino15)..."
rm -rf "$ARDUINO_PREFS"
fi
# Arduino Sketchbook folder (contains sketches and libraries)
SKETCHBOOK="$HOME/Documents/Arduino"
if [ -d "$SKETCHBOOK" ]; then
echo "Deleting Arduino Sketchbook folder (Documents/Arduino)..."
rm -rf "$SKETCHBOOK"
fi
echo "Arduino IDE and all associated files have been removed."
Windows (Batch Script)
On Windows, the Arduino IDE is usually installed via an installer. User settings and the Sketchbook folder reside in fixed locations.
Save the following script as a .bat file and run it as Administrator:
@echo off
echo Removing Arduino IDE and associated files...
:: Uninstall Arduino IDE if installed
echo Searching for installed Arduino IDE...
wmic product where "name like 'Arduino%%'" call uninstall /nointeractive
echo Uninstallation completed or not required.
:: Remove user settings
set ARDUINO_PREFS=%LOCALAPPDATA%\Arduino15
if exist "%ARDUINO_PREFS%" (
echo Removing user settings (%ARDUINO_PREFS%)...
rmdir /s /q "%ARDUINO_PREFS%"
)
:: Remove Sketchbook folder
set SKETCHBOOK=%USERPROFILE%\Documents\Arduino
if exist "%SKETCHBOOK%" (
echo Removing Arduino Sketchbook folder (%SKETCHBOOK%)...
rmdir /s /q "%SKETCHBOOK%"
)
echo Arduino IDE and all associated files have been removed.
pause
Linux (Bash Script)
On Linux, the Arduino IDE can be installed in various ways (e.g., via package manager or manually). This script removes the user settings and the Sketchbook folder. You may need to uninstall the actual IDE separately.
Save the following script as a .sh file and run it in the Terminal:
#!/bin/bash
echo "Removing Arduino IDE and associated files..."
# Remove user settings
ARDUINO_PREFS="$HOME/.arduino15"
if [ -d "$ARDUINO_PREFS" ]; then
echo "Removing user settings ($ARDUINO_PREFS)..."
rm -rf "$ARDUINO_PREFS"
fi
# Remove Sketchbook folder
SKETCHBOOK="$HOME/Arduino"
if [ -d "$SKETCHBOOK" ]; then
echo "Removing Arduino Sketchbook folder ($SKETCHBOOK)..."
rm -rf "$SKETCHBOOK"
fi
# Note on manual IDE uninstallation
echo "Note: If the Arduino IDE was installed via a package manager, use the appropriate command,"
echo "for example 'sudo apt remove arduino'."
echo "For manual installations, remove the installation directory,"
echo "e.g., 'sudo rm -rf /usr/local/arduino'."
echo "User settings and Sketchbook have been removed."