# How to Uninstall PhotoGIMP and Restore Default GIMP Settings > Uninstall PhotoGIMP and restore default GIMP settings by deleting the GIMP configuration folder. Learn how to easily revert to factory defaults. - Repository: [Diolinux/PhotoGIMP](https://github.com/Diolinux/PhotoGIMP) - Tags: how-to-guide - Published: 2026-05-20 --- **Delete the GIMP 3.0 configuration folder from your user profile directory to completely remove PhotoGIMP and force GIMP to regenerate factory defaults on the next launch.** PhotoGIMP is not a standalone application but a configuration patch distributed through the Diolinux/PhotoGIMP repository. Because it only overwrites files in your user-specific GIMP directory without installing system binaries, uninstalling it requires simply removing that configuration folder rather than reinstalling the entire application. ## What PhotoGIMP Actually Installs According to the Diolinux/PhotoGIMP source code, the patch consists solely of configuration files copied into your user profile's GIMP directory. On Linux this is `~/.config/GIMP/3.0`, on Windows `%APPDATA%\GIMP\3.0`, and on macOS `~/Library/Application Support/GIMP/3.0`. The repository modifies these specific configuration files: - `.config/GIMP/3.0/shortcutsrc` – Photoshop-style keyboard shortcuts - `.config/GIMP/3.0/toolrc` – Tool ordering and layout preferences - `.config/GIMP/3.0/sessionrc` – Window layout and dock positions - `.local/share/applications/org.gimp.GIMP.desktop` – Custom desktop launcher ## How to Uninstall PhotoGIMP on Linux ### Delete the Configuration Directory Run the following command to remove the PhotoGIMP-modified settings: ```bash rm -rf ~/.config/GIMP/3.0 ``` When you restart GIMP, it detects the missing profile and creates a fresh default configuration automatically. ### Restore From Backup (If Available) If you created a backup before installing PhotoGIMP (as recommended in the repository's README.md), restore it with: ```bash cp -r ~/GIMP-3.0-backup ~/.config/GIMP/3.0 ``` ## How to Uninstall PhotoGIMP on Windows ### Manual Deletion Steps 1. Press **Win + R**, type `%APPDATA%\GIMP`, and press **Enter**. 2. Delete the folder named `3.0`. 3. Launch GIMP to generate a new default profile. ### Restore Previous Settings If you copied the `3.0` folder to a backup location before installation, paste it back into `%APPDATA%\GIMP\` to restore your previous workspace. ## How to Uninstall PhotoGIMP on macOS ### Delete the Configuration Directory 1. Open **Finder** and choose **Go → Go to Folder…** 2. Enter: `~/Library/Application Support/GIMP` 3. Delete the `3.0` folder. Alternatively, use the terminal: ```bash rm -rf ~/Library/Application\ Support/GIMP/3.0 ``` ### Restore From Backup If you saved a backup to your Desktop or another location: ```bash cp -R ~/Desktop/GIMP-3.0-backup ~/Library/Application\ Support/GIMP/3.0 ``` ## How GIMP Regenerates Default Settings GIMP's startup logic checks for the existence of its profile directory. When the `3.0` folder is missing, GIMP automatically creates a new one populated with factory default files. This mechanism ensures that deleting the PhotoGIMP configuration completely restores the stock layout, shortcuts, and tool arrangements without requiring a full application reinstall. ## Key Files Modified by PhotoGIMP The Diolinux/PhotoGIMP repository overwrites these specific configuration files: - **`.config/GIMP/3.0/shortcutsrc`** – Contains Photoshop-compatible keyboard shortcuts that override GIMP's defaults. - **`.config/GIMP/3.0/toolrc`** – Defines tool ordering to mimic Photoshop's toolbar layout. - **`.config/GIMP/3.0/sessionrc`** – Stores window geometry and dock panel positions. - **`.local/share/applications/org.gimp.GIMP.desktop`** – Provides the custom PhotoGIMP application launcher. Removing the entire `3.0` directory eliminates all these modifications simultaneously. ## Summary - PhotoGIMP installs only configuration files into the user-specific `3.0` GIMP directory, not system binaries. - To uninstall PhotoGIMP, delete the `3.0` folder from `~/.config/GIMP/` (Linux), `%APPDATA%\GIMP\` (Windows), or `~/Library/Application Support/GIMP/` (macOS). - GIMP automatically restores default settings when it detects a missing configuration folder. - Always backup your `3.0` folder before installing PhotoGIMP to enable quick restoration of your previous workspace. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### Will uninstalling PhotoGIMP delete my images or projects? No. PhotoGIMP only modifies configuration files such as `shortcutsrc` and `sessionrc` inside the `3.0` directory. Your images, brushes stored in separate directories, and project files remain completely unaffected by deleting the configuration folder. ### Do I need to reinstall GIMP to remove PhotoGIMP? No. Because PhotoGIMP does not install any executables or system-wide components according to the Diolinux/PhotoGIMP source, simply deleting the `3.0` configuration folder from your user profile completely removes all PhotoGIMP modifications. The system-wide GIMP installation remains untouched. ### Where does PhotoGIMP store its Photoshop-style keyboard shortcuts? The shortcuts are stored in `.config/GIMP/3.0/shortcutsrc` within your user configuration directory. This file overrides GIMP's default keybindings to mimic Photoshop. Deleting the entire `3.0` folder removes this file and restores GIMP's native keyboard shortcuts. ### Can I keep a backup of my default GIMP settings before trying PhotoGIMP? Yes. The PhotoGIMP README.md explicitly recommends copying your existing `3.0` folder to a backup location before installation. On Linux, you can run `cp -r ~/.config/GIMP/3.0 ~/GIMP-3.0-backup` to preserve your current workspace, allowing you to restore it later if you decide to uninstall PhotoGIMP.