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I cannot Uninstall VirtualBox 6.1 from my system

Posted: 24. Jul 2021, 02:15
by richkitty06
I have created this account just to discuss this issue since I really wasn't getting any replies.
My host OS is Ubuntu 20.04 LTS, and I can't get rid of this program. This problem is so bad, it has made to where I can't install apps from the app store anymore.
I have tried numerous ways to get rid of this program, even running the sudo apt-get remove --purge command, but to no avail.
It keeps popping up with this error:
installed virtualbox-6.1 package pre-removal script subprocess returned error exit status 1

Re: I cannot Uninstall VirtualBox 6.1 from my system

Posted: 24. Jul 2021, 03:20
by scottgus1
richkitty06 wrote:I have created this account just to discuss this issue since I really wasn't getting any replies.
You probably wouldn't be able get replies until you made an account and asked the question. :lol:

During installation or uninstallation, Virtualbox is not in control. Rather, the package manager and the host OS are running the process. So one would have to fix the package manager or host OS.

Although a forum guru may be able to help, a web search of "package pre-removal script subprocess returned error exit status 1" returns results indicating this happens on Linux not necessarily related to Virtualbox. And interestingly, the first returned search result was to a Stack Exchage topic where the error was related to removing Virtualbox. Other results show this happens with other programs too.

Re: I cannot Uninstall VirtualBox 6.1 from my system

Posted: 24. Jul 2021, 18:47
by fth0
In this case, VirtualBox is (partially) in control, a script named /var/lib/dpkg/info/virtualbox-6.1.prerm to be exact. I don't know how the whole uninstallation routines work, but it probably builds on knowledge how the corresponding installation routines work. Therefore, I'd try to reinstall the virtualbox-6.1 package first, then try to uninstall it again.