---
id: mac-storage-basics.how-do-i-remove-old-node-python-or-ruby-versions
url: https://storagestudio.us/faq/mac-storage-basics/how-do-i-remove-old-node-python-or-ruby-versions
category: "Mac storage basics"
subcategory: "Programming languages and toolchains"
question: "How do I remove old Node, Python or Ruby versions installed with a version manager?"
alt_questions:
  - "nvm uninstall old node"
  - "pyenv uninstall version"
  - "rbenv remove ruby version"
  - "old node versions taking space"
  - "list installed node versions"
  - "clean up version manager"
short_answer: "List versions (nvm ls, pyenv versions, rbenv versions) and uninstall the ones no project pins. Each removed version takes its global packages with it."
tags: ["developer", "node", "python"]
related: ["https://storagestudio.us/faq/mac-storage-basics/how-do-i-clean-npm-yarn-and-pip-caches", "https://storagestudio.us/faq/mac-storage-basics/how-do-i-delete-unused-python-virtual-environments"]
applies_to: "all"
last_reviewed: 2026-10-01
---

# How do I remove old Node, Python or Ruby versions installed with a version manager?

Version managers keep every version you've installed, each with its own packages. List and remove the ones you no longer use:

- **nvm**: `nvm ls`, then `nvm uninstall` followed by the version.
- **pyenv**: `pyenv versions`, then `pyenv uninstall` followed by the version.
- **rbenv**: `rbenv versions`, then `rbenv uninstall` followed by the version.

Keep the version your projects pin (check files like `.nvmrc` or `.python-version`). Packages installed globally for a removed version go with it. Package caches are separate — see [npm, yarn and pip caches](https://storagestudio.us/faq/mac-storage-basics/how-do-i-clean-npm-yarn-and-pip-caches).