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Uninstalling Local

note

These instructions are specifically for Local Lightning (v5.0.0 and up). For instructions on uninstalling older versions of Local by Flywheel, see these help docs for macOS and Windows.

We’re sorry to see you go, but keep reading for more information about removing Local from the computer.

There are three main parts to the Local app, and depending on what you are trying to do, you may want to uninstall some, or all of them. Those three parts look something like this:

1. Individual WordPress sites.

This is code for the actual WordPress sites. Uninstalling the Local app shouldn’t touch these. That being said, if you are changing the Local installation, it’s best to be safe and create a backup of any important WordPress site. You can do this by right-clicking on the site and selecting “Export”. Once you’re confident that everything you need is backed up, select all the sites in Local, right-click on them, and select “Delete.”

Keep reading the OS specific sections for ways to manually delete these sites.

2. The Local app.

This is the app you’re used to working with, and helps create and manage your WordPress sites. You should be able to uninstall, upgrade, or downgrade the Local app without disrupting existing Local sites.

See the OS specific section below for details on how to manage the Local app on your machine.

3. The Local app’s configuration directory.

Local stores its configuration run-time files within a folder and makes is possible for the settings of each site to be persisted between different versions of Local. Quitting Local and deleting this folder will essentially be like a reset for the Local app.

NOTE: This folder is also where the raw server files are stored each site, including the raw database files. Be sure to take a backups of any important site before doing anything within the configuration folder!

Keep reading for specific instructions for uninstalling Local on macOS, Windows, and Linux.

Uninstalling Local on macOS

Screenshot showing how to bulk delete sites within the Local app.
Deleting WordPress sites can be done in Local by selecting the sites using Cmd or Shift along with a Click. Right-click on the selected sites to delete them in bulk.
Screenshot of deleting the Local Sites folder in macOS.
Alternatively, manually delete the WordPress sites by navigating to the “~/Local Sites” folder in finder.
Screenshot of deleting the Local app from the Applications folder.
The Local app can be uninstalled from macOS by deleting Local from the main Applications folder.
Screenshot of deleting Local's configuration folder.
Delete Local’s configuration folder by navigating to “~/Library/Application Support” and deleting the “Local” folder.

Uninstalling Local on Windows

Screenshot of deleting WordPress sites from within Local.
WordPress sites can be deleted from within Local by using Shift+Click and then selecting “Delete” from the right-click menu.
Screenshot of manually removing the WordPress sites using the File Explorer.
Manually remove any WordPress sites by navigating to the “Local Sites” folder within your user folder.
Screenshot of uninstalling the Local app.
Uninstall Local within Windows by navigating to the “Apps & features” section of Windows Settings.
Screenshot of manually deleting the Local configuration folder.
To manually remove Local’s configuration folder, navigate to the hidden “AppData > Roaming > Local” folder within your user directory.

Uninstalling Local from Ubuntu Linux

Screenshot of removing WordPress sites from Local.
Remove the WordPress sites from within Local by selecting the sites with shift+click and then selecting “Delete” from the right-click menu.
Screenshot showing how to uninstall the Local app using apt.
Local can be uninstalled from Ubuntu using apt. Using a terminal, run this command: `sudo apt remove local`
Screenshot showing where to remove Local's configuration folder under Ubuntu.
Local’s configuration folder can be removed from the “.config/Local” folder.