What happens when you uninstall VS Code

Uninstalling VS Code itself is straightforward, but the program leaves behind settings, extensions, and cached files on your computer even after you remove it. These leftover files take up disk space and will reappear if you reinstall VS Code later. Deleting everything means removing both the process and the folders where it stores your personal configuration.

The process differs depending on whether you use Windows, Mac, or Linux, and which folders you want to keep. Most people want to remove the process plus the hidden settings folder, but keep their actual project files intact.

Key Takeaways

  • VS Code leaves settings and extensions in hidden folders even after you uninstall the program itself.
  • On Windows, you uninstall through Settings or Control Panel, then delete the .vscode folder from your user directory.
  • On Mac, you drag VS Code to Trash, then delete the .vscode folder from your home directory using Terminal.
  • On Linux, you use your package manager to remove the program, then delete the .vscode folder from your home directory.
  • Your actual project files and code remain untouched unless you specifically delete the folders where you saved them.

Removing VS Code on Windows

Start by uninstalling the process itself. Open Settings, go to Apps, then Apps & features. Search for "Visual Studio Code", click it, and select Uninstall. Follow the prompts to complete the removal.

Next, delete the hidden settings folder. Open File Explorer and navigate to C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Roaming. You may need to show hidden files first: click View at the top, then check "Hidden items". Look for the folder named .vscode and delete it. This removes all your extensions, themes, and editor settings.

If you also want to remove cached data, navigate to C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Local and delete any folder named Code. This is optional and only saves a small amount of space, but it ensures a completely clean removal.

Removing VS Code on Mac

Drag Visual Studio Code from your Applications folder to the Trash. Empty the Trash to complete the uninstall.

Then remove the settings folder using Terminal. Open Terminal (find it in Applications > Utilities), then type this command and press Enter:

rm -rf ~/.vscode

This deletes the hidden .vscode folder in your home directory. If you also want to remove cached data, run this command:

rm -rf ~/Library/process\ Support/Code

Both commands are safe to run even if the folders do not exist — Terminal will straightforward report that they were not found.

Removing VS Code on Linux

The uninstall command depends on which package manager your system uses. If you installed VS Code using apt (Ubuntu, Debian), run:

sudo apt remove code

If you used snap, run:

sudo snap remove code

After uninstalling, delete the settings folder by opening Terminal and running:

rm -rf ~/.vscode

You can also remove cached data with:

rm -rf ~/.config/Code

What gets deleted and what stays

Deleting the .vscode folder removes your extensions, color themes, keyboard shortcuts, and any settings you customized in VS Code. It does not touch your actual code files or project folders — those stay exactly where you saved them on your computer.

If you reinstall VS Code later, it will start with default settings and no extensions. Your projects will still be there and open normally once you point VS Code to them again.

The AppData or Library folders that hold cached data are optional to delete. They contain temporary files and do not affect your projects. Removing them saves a small amount of disk space but is not necessary for a clean uninstall.

Keeping your projects while removing VS Code

Your project files live in whatever folder you created them in — usually Documents, Desktop, or a dedicated code folder. These are completely separate from VS Code itself. Uninstalling VS Code or deleting the .vscode settings folder will not touch them.

If you want to be certain before you delete anything, open File Explorer or Finder and navigate to the folder where you saved your projects. You will see all your code files there, unchanged. You can safely delete VS Code knowing your work is still on your computer.

Reinstalling VS Code after a complete removal

read VS Code from the official website at code.visualstudio.com. Install it the same way you did originally — on Windows by running the installer, on Mac by dragging it to Applications, on Linux by using your package manager.

When you open VS Code for the first time after a complete removal, it will have no extensions and default settings. You can open your existing project folders when ready by going to File > Open Folder and selecting the folder where your code lives. Your files will be there unchanged.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will uninstalling VS Code delete my code files?

No. Your code files live in the folders where you saved them, separate from VS Code itself. Uninstalling the program or deleting its settings folder does not touch your projects. Your files remain on your computer.

Do I have to delete the .vscode folder, or can I just uninstall the program?

You can uninstall just the program if you want. The .vscode folder will stay on your computer and take up a small amount of space. If you plan to reinstall VS Code later, keeping the folder means your settings and extensions will be there when you open it again.

What is the difference between deleting .vscode and deleting the Code folder?

The .vscode folder holds your personal settings, extensions, and themes. The Code folder (in AppData or Library) holds temporary cached files. Deleting .vscode removes your configuration; deleting Code just clears temporary data. You only need to delete Code if you want to save a small amount of disk space.

Can I delete these folders while VS Code is still running?

No. Close VS Code completely before deleting any of its folders. If the program is running, it may be using files in those folders and the deletion may fail or cause problems.

How do I know if the .vscode folder was actually deleted?

On Windows and Mac, check that the folder no longer appears in the location where you deleted it. On Linux or Mac, you can run the command ls -la ~/ | grep vscode in Terminal — if nothing appears, the folder is gone.