HowToDeleteExtensions.rst

How to delete extensions

Content Type: HowTo [deprecated wiki link].

notice - Newer documentation available

Installation and Upgrade Guide contains information on installing, activating, deactivating and removing extensions for supported TYPO3 versions

warning - No longer supported TYPO3 version

This page contains information for older, no longer maintained TYPO3 versions. For information about TYPO3 versions, see get.typo3.org. For information about updating, see the Installation & Upgrade Guide

Extension Manager terminology

In the context of the TYPO3 extension [deprecated wiki link] manager ("EM"), the words "install" and "uninstall" differ from their mainstream meaning. To avoid mixing these terms up with the other EM verbs, here is a clarification:

• Import means "downloading an extension from TER and copying it to typo3conf/ext/".
• Install means "activating the already imported extension inside the extension manager and performing database changes mandated by the extension".
• Uninstall means "deactivating an extension, but leaving it on the disk".
• Delete means "removing extension files permanently from disk".

To deactivate an extension without deleting it completely, see the article Uninstall Extensions [deprecated wiki link].

Why this manual?

There are cases when you don't need an extension anymore, e.g. because its function has been incorporated into to the TYPO3 core, or because you want to test several similar extensions, have switched back and forth between them and decided on one of them. In that case, you want to purge it completely from your system.

In former versions of TYPO3 this has been problematic.

This manual explains how to remove extensions, using the extension <ext>date2cal<ext> as an example (its functionality has been moved into core and it is no longer needed).

How to delete an extension

Preparations

It is assumed that you have backed up your complete TYPO3 installation (including the SQL database), made sure that only admins can login and informed all editors and users about the planned maintenance.

Read this manual to its end first.

Check extension dependencies

Deleting an extensions is not always easily revertible. Follow these steps carefully:

Uninstall

Follow all steps in Uninstall Extensions [deprecated wiki link]. Don't forget to backup the new LocalConfiguration.php.

Identifying files and tables

Open the Extension Manager. Choose 'Install extensions'.

Extension Manager overview

You get an overview about imported (installable) extensions (see picture on the right).

Look at the type of the extension: you can not - and should not try to! - delete 'system' extensions.

Click on the title of the extension you want to delete.

You get a window with details for this extension. In the menu choose "information".

Below you find different entries telling you the directories in which extension files are installed and which database tables belong to this extension. Examples:

• Type of install: Local - Local extensions (typo3conf/ext/)
• Create directories: typo3temp/tx_date2cal
• Database requirements: tx_example_debuglog

For most extensions it will be like this:

• the extension files are in a subdirectory of typo3conf/ext/, for example typo3conf/ext/date2cal/
• temporary files in a directory under typo3temp/ named accordingly

Note all directories and database tables. It is possible that not all of them will be deleted by the push of a button.

Delete the extension

Choose 'Backup/Delete'

You get the window:

You really made a backup? OK, then be brave and press 'DELETE EXTENSION FROM SERVER'! There is a request for confirmation:

After confirming, after a while you should see the message "Removed extension in path...".

Control and cleaning up

Click on to reach the upper level of the extension manager. The extension should be gone.

LocalConfiguration.php

Download the actual LocalConfiguration.php, but do not overwrite your old backup.

'``$TYPO3_CONF_VARS['EXT']['extListArray']``' now should:

• no longer show the entry of the deleted extension.

Line '``$TYPO3_CONF_VARS['EXT']['extConf'][``extension-key]' might still be there, but you may delete it. (in our example: $TYPO3_CONF_VARS['EXT']['extConf']['date2cal']....

Upload the cleaned LocalConfiguration.php. (Alternatively you could use the Install Tool on page 'All configuration'.)

Database

Open the Install Tool and start Database Analyser:

Scroll down to 'Update required tables - Compare' and click Compare

Now you can view, pick and perform corrections.

Start phpmyadmin.

Check whether the former identified tables have really been deleted. If not, you may do it here.

Anyway, it's a good idea to clean up the database any now and then. Before and after installations you should always do it. Module Admin-Tools / DB Check, then in the menu 'Manage Reference Index'. Click on Click here to update reference index: Update Now!

Files and Directories

Check whether the identified directories and files have been deleted. It might be that the directory under typo3conf/ext/ has been deleted, but files and directories in typo3temp/ still exist. You might have to delete them manually.

Empty the cache

Empty the configuration and frontend cache.

Done!

If your TYPO3 installation still works, you were probably successful (check the entire site to be sure) and can now reset the maintenance settings.