Systemd is the default service manager in most modern Linux distributions, responsible for managing system services. When you no longer need a custom or third-party service, removing its systemd service file ensures a cleaner and more efficient system. This guide walks you through the process of deleting a systemd service file in Linux.

Step 1: Stop the Systemd Service

Before deleting a systemd service file, stop the service to prevent any conflicts.

sudo systemctl stop <service-name>

To check if the service is running:

sudo systemctl status <service-name>

Step 2: Disable the Systemd Service

Disabling a service ensures that it doesn’t start automatically on boot.

sudo systemctl disable <service-name>

For a user-specific service, disable it using:

systemctl --user disable <service-name>

Step 3: Remove the Systemd Service File

Systemd service files are usually stored in one of the following locations:

  • System-wide services:

/etc/systemd/system/

  • Package-managed services:

/lib/systemd/system/

  • User-specific services:

~/.config/systemd/user/

To delete a system-wide service file, run:

sudo rm /etc/systemd/system/<service-name>.service

If the service file exists in /lib/systemd/system/, remove it with:

sudo rm /lib/systemd/system/<service-name>.service

For a user-specific service, use:

rm ~/.config/systemd/user/<service-name>.service

Step 4: Reload Systemd Daemon

After deleting the service file, reload the systemd manager to apply the changes.

sudo systemctl daemon-reload

For user-specific services:

systemctl --user daemon-reload

Step 5: Verify the Service is Removed

Run the following command to ensure the service no longer exists:

systemctl status <service-name>

If the service has been completely removed, you should see an error message indicating that the unit file is not found.

Step 6: Remove Additional Service Files (Optional)

Some services create additional configuration or log files. To completely remove all traces, check and delete related files in:

  • /var/log/ (Log files)
  • /etc/ (Configuration files)
  • /usr/local/bin/ or /usr/bin/ (Executable files)

For example, to remove logs and config files:

sudo rm -rf /var/log/<service-name>/
sudo rm -rf /etc/<service-name>/

Conclusion

Deleting a systemd service file in Linux involves stopping and disabling the service, removing its service file, and reloading the systemd daemon. Following these steps ensures a clean removal of unnecessary services.