Ubuntu
ubuntu-meta package

Removing vim will cause "ubuntu-wsl" to be removed

Asked by Rich Purnell

I'm currently using Ubuntu 24.04.1 LTS in WSL. I wanted to use "neovim" instead of "vim", so I tried to remove "vim". However, the return message informed me that this would remove "ubuntu-wsl" at the same time. I've read the description of "ubuntu-wsl", which says "it is recommended that it not be removed." This really confused me. Why does "ubuntu-wsl" strongly depend on programs like "vim" and "rsync"? After I replace "vim" with "neovim", do I still need "ubuntu-wsl"?

```
~$ sudo apt remove vim
Reading package lists... Done
Building dependency tree... Done
Reading state information... Done
The following packages were automatically installed and are no longer required:
  libpython3.12t64 libsodium23 vim-runtime
Use 'sudo apt autoremove' to remove them.
The following packages will be REMOVED:
  ubuntu-wsl vim
0 upgraded, 0 newly installed, 2 to remove and 0 not upgraded.
After this operation, 4247 kB disk space will be freed.
Do you want to continue? [Y/n] n
Abort.
```

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For:
Ubuntu ubuntu-meta Edit question
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Solved by:
Manfred Hampl
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Revision history for this message
Bernard Stafford (bernard010) said : 		#1

https://packages.ubuntu.com/noble/neovim
heavily refactored vim fork in the Universe packaging.

https://packages.ubuntu.com/noble/vim
In the Security packaging. Which is part of the WSL default packaging.
You can add neovim to WSL.

Revision history for this message
Best Manfred Hampl (m-hampl) said : 		#2

You can install vim and neovim at the same time.
I do not see any need to uninstall vim. Just leave it as it is and this will keep ubuntu-wsl installed.

Remark: The ubuntu-wsl package does not provide much on its own, but it ensures that certain standard applications that you may need on wls will be automatically installed.

Revision history for this message
Rich Purnell (rich-purnell) said : 		#3

Thanks Manfred Hampl, that solved my question.