[BUG] `npm uninstall <name>@<version>` neither executes nor fails

[MikeMcC399]

• follows on from [BUG] cant uninstall packages and audit fix --force not working #9806

Is there an existing issue for this?

• I have searched the existing issues

This issue exists in the latest npm version

• I am using the latest npm

This is not just a request to bump a dependency for a CVE

• This is not solely a request to bump a dependency for a CVE

Current Behavior

Incorrectly attempting to uninstall a package using npm uninstall <name>@<version> neither fails, nor uninstalls:

$ npm uninstall vite@8.2.1

up to date, audited 16 packages in 2s

8 packages are looking for funding
  run `npm fund` for details

found 0 vulnerabilities
$ npm ls
tmp.Uwe8XKve3h@ /tmp/tmp.Uwe8XKve3h
└── vite@8.2.1

Expected Behavior

If an attempt is made to uninstall a package using npm uninstall <name>@<version> either:

1. the command should fail with a syntax error or similar OR
2. the <version> should be ignored and the uninstall command should use only the package <name> to uninstall

Steps To Reproduce

cd $(mktemp -d)
npm install vite@8
npm uninstall vite@8
npm ls

Environment

• npm: 12.0.2
• Node.js: 26.7.0
• OS Name: Ubuntu 24.04.4 LTS
• npm config:

; node bin location = /home/mike/n/bin/node
; node version = v26.7.0
; npm local prefix = /tmp/tmp.Uwe8XKve3h
; npm version = 12.0.2
; cwd = /tmp/tmp.Uwe8XKve3h
; HOME = /home/mike
; Run `npm config ls -l` to show all defaults.