python – Can Anaconda3 / Conda Maintain Pristine Base Environment?

Don’t install packages in the base environment!

Create a new environment for each project with

conda create --name myenv python=3.x

Remove Unused Environments and clean up old environments with

conda remove --name oldenv --all

and keep Conda updated! That’s all you need.

To return your base environment to a pristine state (After your comment):
First, check what’s currently installed using conda list

Now instead of trying to clean the base environment directly, create a new environment with just the essential packages!

conda create --name newbase

Activate the New Environment with

conda activate newbase

And if you still want to remove packages from the base environment, you can do so one by one (this could affect your setup)

conda remove package_name