How to clean up your Linux system

Remove unused packages and dependencies with sudo apt autoremove, clean package cache using sudo apt clean or autoclean, and remove old kernels via sudo apt autoremove --purge. 2. Clear system logs with sudo journalctl --vacuum-time=7d, delete archived logs in /var/log, and empty /tmp and /var/tmp directories. 3. Find large files using find /home -type f -size 100M, analyze disk usage with ncdu, and delete unneeded files from ~/Downloads, ~/.cache, and ~/.local/share/Trash. 4. Uninstall unused applications using sudo apt remove or purge, and list installed apps with apt list --installed to identify bloat. 5. Regular maintenance improves performance and frees space; avoid deleting unknown system files.

Cleaning up your Linux system helps free up disk space, improve performance, and keep things organized. Here’s how to do it effectively without breaking anything.

Remove Unused Packages and Dependencies

Over time, your system accumulates packages you no longer use and leftover dependencies. These take up space and can clutter your system.

• Remove unused packages: Use sudo apt autoremove (on Debian/Ubuntu) to remove old dependencies that were installed with software but aren’t needed anymore.
• Clean package cache: Package managers store downloaded package files. Clear them with sudo apt clean or sudo apt autoclean to free up space.
• Remove old kernels: After system updates, old kernel versions stay on your system. You can safely remove them using sudo apt autoremove --purge.

Clear System Logs and Temporary Files

Logs and temp files grow over time, especially on systems that run for long periods.

• Rotate and clean logs: Use sudo journalctl --vacuum-time=7d to keep only the last 7 days of systemd logs.
• Delete old log files: Check /var/log and remove archived logs (like *.gz, *.old) if you don’t need them.
• Clear temporary directories: Remove files in /tmp and /var/tmp — most are safe to delete on shutdown or manually.

Find and Delete Large or Unneeded Files

Some files take up more space than you realize. Identifying them helps you decide what to keep.

• Find large files: Run find /home -type f -size 100M to list files over 100MB in your home directory.
• Analyze disk usage: Use ncdu (install with sudo apt install ncdu) to browse directories and see what’s using the most space.
• Delete old downloads and caches: Clear your browser cache and remove old files from ~/Downloads, ~/.cache, and ~/.local/share/Trash.

Uninstall Unused Applications

Applications you don’t use still take up space and may run background processes.

• List installed apps with apt list --installed and look for software you no longer need.
• Uninstall with sudo apt remove package-name or sudo apt purge package-name to also delete config files.
• Consider using lightweight alternatives for resource-heavy apps.

Basically, regular cleanup keeps your system fast and reliable. Focus on package management, logs, temp files, and personal data. Don’t delete system files unless you know what they are. A little maintenance goes a long way.

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