Removing Packages
Clean up unused or unwanted NuGet packages from your projects.
Removal Methods
From NuGet Manager
- Open the NuGet Package Manager
- Switch to the Installed tab
- Select the package to remove
- Select the projects to remove from
- Click Uninstall
From Solution Explorer
- Expand project > Dependencies > Packages
- Right-click the package to remove
- Select "Remove this package"
- Confirm the removal
What Gets Removed
When you remove a package:
- Package reference is removed from the project file
- Package files are removed from the local cache
- The package no longer appears in Dependencies
- Using statements may show errors if not removed
Removing Dependencies
Unused Dependencies
If a package was only needed by the removed package:
- You may need to manually remove it
- Check for unused dependencies
- Remove them to keep the project clean
Shared Dependencies
If other packages still need a dependency:
- The dependency will remain installed
- Do not remove shared dependencies
Cleanup After Removal
After removing packages:
- Remove unused
using
statements - Remove code that depended on the package
- Build the project to check for errors
- Update documentation if needed
Troubleshooting
Cannot Remove Package
If removal fails:
- Check if other packages depend on it
- Remove dependent packages first
- Check for file locks
- Try closing and reopening VS Code
Errors After Removal
If you see errors after removal:
- Remove related code and using statements
- Find alternative packages if needed
- Update project references
- Rebuild the solution