Netgate Discussion Forum
    • Categories
    • Recent
    • Tags
    • Popular
    • Users
    • Search
    • Register
    • Login

    How to remove PFSense from Appliance

    Scheduled Pinned Locked Moved General pfSense Questions
    7 Posts 3 Posters 3.6k Views
    Loading More Posts
    • Oldest to Newest
    • Newest to Oldest
    • Most Votes
    Reply
    • Reply as topic
    Log in to reply
    This topic has been deleted. Only users with topic management privileges can see it.
    • A
      atomicboy
      last edited by

      I am hoping that someone can provide guidance in how to remove an installed PFSense from an appliance.
      Is there a command line that can be used from the PFSense console?

      Thanks

      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
      • GertjanG
        Gertjan
        last edited by

        Hi,

        The same way you remove a Microsoft Windows OS, or any Linux based OS or FreeBSD OS.
        Remember : pfSense is installed as an FreeBSD based OS system.
        There is actually no (suicide) command.

        Just use a disk partition tool, build into any OS install procedure, to wipe a partition, wipe the entire physical drive, or what ever else you need.

        No "help me" PM's please. Use the forum, the community will thank you.
        Edit : and where are the logs ??

        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
        • A
          atomicboy
          last edited by

          Unfortunately I only have access via the main PFSense GUI or the console and I do not know how to wipe the FreeBSD OS.

          GertjanG 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
          • GertjanG
            Gertjan @atomicboy
            last edited by

            @atomicboy said in How to remove PFSense from Appliance:

            Unfortunately I only have access via the main PFSense GUI or the console and I do not know how to wipe the FreeBSD OS.

            Think twice.
            If you have a Windows PC, how would you proceed ?

            You said you have a pfSense GUI. This means you (can) have access to the console. With that access you have access to all the commands that the OS implemented.

            Fire up Google or who ever you use to find answer and ask questions like freebsd delete mbr
            Your system will crash and can not restart anymore.
            Up to you to install another OS using a CD/DVD/USB image, and reinstall something else. Something you could have done in the first place, as I said before.

            No "help me" PM's please. Use the forum, the community will thank you.
            Edit : and where are the logs ??

            1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
            • chrismacmahonC
              chrismacmahon
              last edited by

              what device?

              Need help fast? Our support is available 24/7 https://www.netgate.com/support/

              Do Not PM For Help!

              1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
              • A
                atomicboy
                last edited by

                I am using a Qotom with an I5 processor.

                I was able to access the bios and set the USB port with the USB in it as the only option for boot up and not just the order of boot and this worked. Upon booting the USB, the program determined that there was not enough space on the hard drive so it provided an option for me to repartition the disk and I selected the entire disk which in effect erased PFSense.

                This new firewall software has an option on the original setup to select “bridge mode” or “router mode”. I had spent a lot of time trying to get PFSense running in bridge mode but I never managed to achieve this to my satisfaction.

                GertjanG 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                • GertjanG
                  Gertjan @atomicboy
                  last edited by

                  @atomicboy said in How to remove PFSense from Appliance:

                  I was able to access the bios and set the USB port with the USB in it as the only option for boot up and not just the order of boot and this worked. Upon booting the USB, the program determined that there was not enough space on the hard drive so it provided an option for me to repartition the disk and I selected the entire disk which in effect erased PFSense.

                  You found it 👍

                  No "help me" PM's please. Use the forum, the community will thank you.
                  Edit : and where are the logs ??

                  1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                  • First post
                    Last post
                  Copyright 2025 Rubicon Communications LLC (Netgate). All rights reserved.