How to delete unnecessary files after system upgrades in Zorin 16.3?

General Help
1

Hello,

We have a Zorin 16.3 installed. Just recently the PC on which it is installed stopped working and I was afraid that the HDD went to silicon heaven.

Turns out, after technician had a look at it, that just Zorin had a loads of files (I suppose some old files after upgrades or plethora of logs) uncleaned and that totally filled up the HDD.

After he cleansed those, it is running fine.

I have four questions:
1.) How come system doesn´t clean these files by itself?
2.) What am I suppose to do to clean it - any command I can run?
3.) Can I set the system to clean those files periodically (once a month, for example)? If yes, how?
4.) Unrelated to the previous questions: is there any way to upgrade from 16.3 Lite to current 17.2 Core?

1 Like
2

I always use Ubuntu Cleaner after any changes in any upgrades ...... usually once a week it is quick and easy ..... just remember to save at least 1 extra kernel in case of a disaster ..... I'll try and find a link to where to down load Ubuntu Cleaner ......

3

Here is a link to the site to download Ubuntu Cleaner .....

It also works on Zorin and I have used it for years thanks to Aravisian's recommendation year ago .....

4

Thanks, I will try it :slight_smile:

That should take care of question 2 and 3,
What about question 4? - Edit: Found my answer:
"If you’re using Zorin OS 16 Lite, you can upgrade directly to the Zorin OS 17 Lite series using the built-in Upgrade Zorin OS app."

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5

Old kernels should be deleted by Software Updater, but you can simply clean out apt using

sudo apt clean

sudo apt-get autoremove

...but do read the output on screen from autoremove to make sure you understand what will be removed, before blindly hitting Y

Also cleaner apps use the same, so you should take care to understand what is being "cleaned".

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6

Is it possible to set the system to clean those files automatically (ie to let those command be run by PC without me having to remember it)?

7

As I mentioned above, when you use Software Updater to update kernels, it should automatically remove oldest version after installing a new one. So that should be enough.

Automation of cleaning can put you at risk of deleting things that you should not delete. Hence my warning.

2 Likes
8

I use 'Stacer' to do that. But know and read what you are deleting.
You can install it from the Software center.

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9

I will try the Stacer too, looks good.

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