How to Free Ubuntu Disk Space

1. Check Space Used by Cached Files on Ubuntu

a. Go to /var/cache/apt/archives folder, or you can use the command below from prompt:
du - sh /var/cache/apt/archives



b. There will be much space used-on the testing box, and you will how much space used by Cached Files on Ubuntu.

2. Clean out Ubuntu Cached Package

Run the following command from the prompt to clean out the folder properly:
sudo apt-get clean

Note: If you deleted the files manually, it may be a mistake since the lock file and the blank partial directory are supposed to stay there - and it's less keystrokes to type this anyway.

3. Disable Ubuntu Automatic Package Caching

If you'd rather not have to go in and clean out the cache folders all the time, you can tell Ubuntu to stop keeping them around with a simple configuration change.

a. Go to System -> Administration -> Synaptic Package Manager.
b. Choose Settings -> Preferences
c. Switch to the Files tab, and change the option to "Delete downloaded packages after installation" to prevent the caching entirely.



You'll also notice that you can use the Delete Cached Package Files button from this screen to clean up the packages.