Practical Linux

Performing File System Maintenance

It's good to be in the habit of snooping around your system a little for unnecessary files. Besides keeping space free, it familiarizes you with the layout of your directories, and the way users (including you) are using the system.

Deleting Unnecessary Files

In addition to using find to locate files to back up, you can use it to search for files that are no longer needed. After you have found those files, you can delete them from the command line, or use an automated process (crontab entry or shell script) to remove them. (Warning: Make sure you back up any files you might ever need again before removing them.)

For instance, you can search for files belonging to users who no longer have access to the system, ...