How to Uninstall SQL Server in PostgreSQL

How do I completely uninstall SQL Server from Ubuntu or RedHat?

The uninstall SQLServer command removes Microsoft SQL Server packages, data files, and related configuration from a Linux machine.

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Description

Example H2

Example H3

Why would you uninstall SQL Server?

Freeing disk space, switching to PostgreSQL, or resolving version conflicts often requires a complete SQL Server removal.

What must you back up first?

Export any user databases, configuration scripts, and encryption keys; uninstalling deletes the /var/opt/mssql data directory.

Which packages need removal?

mssql-server, mssql-tools, and the associated ODBC drivers must be purged to prevent orphaned binaries.

How do you uninstall SQL Server on Ubuntu/Debian?

Use apt commands with --purge to remove packages and configuration files in one step.

Step-by-step removal

1.Stop the service: sudo systemctl stop mssql-server
2. Purge core package: sudo apt-get remove --purge mssql-server -y
3. Purge tools: sudo apt-get remove --purge mssql-tools unixodbc-dev -y
4. Auto-clean: sudo apt-get autoremove -y && sudo apt-get autoclean
5.Delete data dir: sudo rm -rf /var/opt/mssql

How do you verify SQL Server is gone?

Run systemctl status mssql-server; it should display “Unit mssql-server.service could not be found.”

Can you uninstall on Red Hat/CentOS similarly?

Yes—replace apt-get with yum: sudo yum remove mssql-server mssql-tools unixODBC-devel.

Best practices after uninstall

Reboot the host, update package lists, and install PostgreSQL or other services on the reclaimed ports.

Common mistakes to avoid

Skipping backups and forgetting to purge tools leave debris that break future ODBC connections.

When should you keep configuration files?

If planning a reinstall with identical settings, omit the --purge flag to preserve /etc/opt/mssql.

Why How to Uninstall SQL Server in PostgreSQL is important

How to Uninstall SQL Server in PostgreSQL Example Usage


# Stop service so no writes occur
echo "Stopping SQL Server" && sudo systemctl stop mssql-server
# Remove main package
sudo apt-get remove --purge mssql-server -y
# Remove command-line tools
sudo apt-get remove --purge mssql-tools unixodbc-dev -y
# Clean residual packages
sudo apt-get autoremove -y && sudo apt-get autoclean
# Delete leftover data files
sudo rm -rf /var/opt/mssql

How to Uninstall SQL Server in PostgreSQL Syntax


sudo systemctl stop mssql-server
sudo apt-get remove --purge mssql-server [-y]
sudo apt-get remove --purge mssql-tools unixodbc-dev [-y]
sudo apt-get autoremove [-y]
sudo apt-get autoclean
sudo rm -rf /var/opt/mssql

Common Mistakes

Mistake: Only running apt-get remove mssql-server without --purge. Why wrong: Config files stay in /etc/opt/mssql and can conflict with future installs. Fix: Use apt-get remove --purge to erase configuration.
Mistake: Forgetting to stop the mssql-server service before deletion. Why wrong: Active processes hold file handles, leaving data files locked. Fix: Always execute sudo systemctl stop mssql-server first.