How to Clean Up Packages in Ubuntu

Ubuntu is a free operating system that rivals Windows. The name derives from an African word meaning ”Humanity to others” or ”I am what I am because of who we all are.” As with any operating system, some tasks are necessary to help the program run smoothly. One of these tasks is cleaning up packages (files for those Window users). This eHow can help you in this important maintenance task.

Residual Config Packages

Step 1 Go the Synaptic Package Manger, by clicking on “System,” “Administration,” and then go to “Synaptic Package Manger.”

Step 2 Locate “Status,” which you will find in the lower left hand corner of the screen. Look for the following text when you are cleaning up residual packages in Ubuntu: “Installed (local or obsolete),” “Not installed” and “Residual config.”

Step 3 Choose “Residual config” when cleaning up residual packages in Ubuntu.

Step 4 Click on the left hand box that reads, “Mark for Complete Removal.” Do this for every Residual Config Package to delete it, and then click on “Apply,” which you will find beside a green check mark. If there are no Residual Config Packages, there will not be a delete option.

Partial Packages

Step 1 Access partial packages when cleaning packages in Ubuntu by clicking on “Applications.” Click next on “Accessories,” then “Terminal.”

Step 2 Type, “sudo apt-get autoclean” (without quotation marks) at the prompt.

Step 3 Enter your password when prompted and press “Enter.” The partial packages you wish to clean in Ubuntu will disappear.

Orphaned Packages

Step 1 Download the “localpurge” file that’s located in the Synaptic Package Manager. The file will help free up disc space.

Step 2 Go the Synaptic Package Manger, by clicking on “System,” ”Administration,” and then go to “Synaptic Package Manger.”

Step 3 Click on “Sections,” which you can find on the lower left hand corner of your screen, then click on “Search” when cleaning orphaned packages in Ubuntu.

Step 4 Type, “localpurge,” then click on the box that appears near the package.

Step 5 Choose “Mark for Installation,” then “Apply,” and “localpurge” will install.

Step 6 Look for these abbreviations to appear: “En”, “fr,” “po,” “sp” and “ka.” Select the language you wish to use when cleaning packages in Ubuntu, and click on “Next.”