Uninstalling Ollama is straightforward, but the obvious step only removes the smallest part. The application is a few hundred megabytes; the models it downloaded can occupy tens or even hundreds of gigabytes, and they are stored outside the app. Here is how to remove all of it on each platform.
Quick answer
macOS: quit Ollama from the menu bar, drag the app to the Trash, then delete ~/.ollama. Windows: exit Ollama from the system tray, uninstall it in Settings → Apps, then delete %USERPROFILE%.ollama. Linux: stop and disable the service, remove /usr/local/bin/ollama, then delete /usr/share/ollama/.ollama and the ollama user. The model directory is the step people forget — it is where the disk space actually is.
Step by step, per platform
| Platform | Remove the app | Remove the models |
|---|---|---|
| macOS | Quit from the menu bar → drag Ollama to the Trash | rm -rf ~/.ollama |
| Windows | Exit from the system tray → Settings → Apps → Uninstall | Delete %USERPROFILE%.ollama |
| Linux | sudo systemctl stop ollama && sudo systemctl disable ollama → sudo rm /usr/local/bin/ollama | sudo rm -rf /usr/share/ollama |
Check how much space you are actually reclaiming
Before deleting anything, it is worth seeing what is there: ollama list prints every model with its size. A handful of mid-size models plus one 70B experiment routinely adds up to well over 100 GB. If you only want the space back rather than a full uninstall, ollama rm modelname deletes individual models and keeps the tool installed — often the better outcome.
Linux: remove the service user too
The Linux installer creates a dedicated ollama system user and a systemd unit. A complete removal stops and disables the service, deletes the binary and the model directory, removes /etc/systemd/system/ollama.service, then runs sudo userdel ollama and sudo groupdel ollama. Skipping those leaves a harmless but untidy account behind on the system.
Convly’s take
Before you uninstall, ask whether the tool is the problem or the model is. Most people who remove Ollama are actually reacting to disk pressure or slow generation — and both usually have a smaller fix: delete the two oversized models you tried once, or switch to a 4-bit build that fits your memory instead of spilling into system RAM. If you are leaving because the terminal workflow does not suit you, a graphical tool alongside it is a lighter change than a clean sweep.
Frequently asked questions
Does uninstalling Ollama delete my models?
No. On every platform the models live in a separate directory that survives the uninstall — you must delete ~/.ollama (or the platform equivalent) yourself.
How do I delete just one model?
ollama rm modelname. Use ollama list first to see names and sizes.
How much disk space do Ollama models use?
Roughly the file size of each model: about 4–5 GB for a 7–8B model at 4-bit, ~20 GB for a 32B, and 40 GB or more for a 70B. They accumulate quickly because nothing is removed automatically.
Can I reinstall Ollama later without re-downloading models?
Yes — if you leave the model directory in place and only remove the application, a reinstall picks the existing models straight back up.
Related: Ollama install guide · Ollama models list and sizes · Ollama alternatives.
