How to Uninstall MongoDB

Every new version of MongoDB comes with a host of new features and benefits. For example, MongoDB 7.0, the latest stable version, comes with advanced features for Atlas Search Index management, and several improvements in performance, security, migrations, developer experience, and much more. If you are planning to install a new version of MongoDB, this is the perfect in-depth guide to help you completely uninstall MongoDB (older version) and get started with the new versions.

Table of contents

• How to uninstall MongoDB from Ubuntu Linux
• How to uninstall MongoDB from Mac
• How to uninstall MongoDB from Windows
• FAQs

How to uninstall MongoDB from Ubuntu Linux

To uninstall MongoDB from Linux, you have to stop the daemon process, and remove the MongoDB applications, configuration files, data files, and MongoDB log files. All of this should be done from the terminal.

You must have sudo access, i.e., a superuser. To get sudo access, log in as an admin and add yourself to the sudo group

Type the following commands one by one to uninstall MongoDB:

1. Stop MongoDB process:

sudo service mongod stop

2. Permanently remove MongoDB packages:

sudo apt-get purge mongodb-org*

3. Remove the data directories, MongoDB database(s), and log files:

sudo rm -r /var/log/mongodb /var/lib/mongodb

4. To check if MongoDB is successfully uninstalled, type:

service mongod status

If you wish to reinstall MongoDB on Linux, follow the links below:

• Install MongoDB on Linux
• Install MongoDB Community Edition on Ubuntu
• Install MongoDB Community Edition on Red Hat or CentOS

Alternatively, you can spin a free MongoDB Atlas cluster to access the MongoDB database as a service, thus avoiding the need for install/uninstall.

How to uninstall MongoDB from Mac

For uninstalling MongoDB from Mac, follow the below steps on the terminal:

1. Check if any mongo service is running:

launchctl list | grep mongo

2. If you had installed MongoDB using Homebrew, unload mongodb:

launchctl unload ~/Library/LaunchAgents/homebrew.mxcl.mongodb-community.plist

rm -f ~/Library/LaunchAgents/homebrew.mxcl.mongodb-community.plist

launchctl remove homebrew.mxcl.mongodb-community

3. Kill the mongod process, if it exists:

pkill -f mongod

4. If you had installed MongoDB using brew, uninstall MongoDB with the below command:

brew uninstall mongodb-community 
brew uninstall mongodb-database-tools
brew uninstall mongosh
brew untap mongodb/brew

5. If you installed MongoDB manually (without Homebrew), then use:

rm -rf <yourmongodb_folder>

Remove database files:

rm -rf /usr/local/var/mongodb

To check if the uninstall was properly done, check if any MongoDB files are still present:

ls -al /usr/local/bin/mongo*
zsh: no matches found: /usr/local/bin/mongo*

To install a newer MongoDB version, visit Install MongoDB on Mac. Alternatively, avoid the need for install/uninstall in the future by trying free today.

How to uninstall MongoDB from Windows

For uninstalling MongoDB from Windows, use any of the following options.

Uninstall MongoDB using Settings

1. Click on the start menu or search bar near the start menu and open system settings.

2. On the settings page, double click on Apps (on the left side of the window), and then double click on installed apps.

3. From the list of applications shown, click on the MongoDB application. You can also search in the list for MongoDB. Click on the three dots on the right side and select uninstall.

Uninstall MongoDB using Control Panel (Windows 10)

1. Open Control Panel using the Start menu or command prompt (control command).

2. Once the Control Panel is open, click on “Uninstall a program” under the Programs/Programs and Features heading.

3. Select and right click on MongoDB.

4. Click on Uninstall. Windows will ask you to confirm the uninstall. Click on Yes. The above will completely remove MongoDB databases, MongoDB packages, and MongoDB data.

Whichever way you use for uninstalling MongoDB on Windows, make sure to restart your machine for the changes to reflect. You can reinstall MongoDB on Windows from the official MongoDB documentation page. Alternatively, avoid the need to install/uninstall in the future by trying MongoDB Atlas for free.

There are many reasons why you should use MongoDB Atlas, other than the fact that you don't have to install/uninstall a MongoDB database on your machine. MongoDB Atlas runs on the cloud and provides a host of features, including built-in security and automated backups. Try a free cluster today to explore the benefits.