QDirStat, detect and clean your hard drive from the graphical environment

about qdiststat

In the next article we are going to take a look at QDirStat. This program is the evolution of the tool KDirStat, both created by the same author, Stefan hundhammer. The two programs seek to present statistics of how our equipment storage is used in a friendly and understandable way for everyone.

The program does not display its findings with raw numbers and percentages, but instead uses a hierarchical tree structure and a graphical map. This makes it easy to identify the files and folders that take up the most space. In addition, we will also be able to eliminate unnecessary files.

QDirStat includes some functions that are helpful in recovering the space of our team. The application not only displays statistics about the files, but also allows you to take action on them. It will allow us to eliminate them through the application, clean the remains of GIT synchronizations or carry out executions, and eliminate junk files. Another interesting feature is that you can customize or add our cleaning scenarios training. All its characteristics explained in detail can be consulted from the page on GitHub From this project.

Install QDirStat on Ubuntu

To install this program in Ubuntu, we will only have to open a terminal (Ctrl + Alt + T) and write the command:

QDirstat installation

sudo apt install qdirstat

After installation, we can now search for the program launcher on our computer:

program launcher

Basic use

Select the path to analyze with QDirStat

When QDirStat is executed it will ask us which source path it should scan. We will be able to select any path that is accessible via file manager, be it local or remote.

QDIrstat select directory

From select a route and open it, let's move on to the main QDirStat window.

Tree view and visual map

Views available in QDirstat

As soon as you start, the program will start analyze the content of the selected route. QDirStat will present its findings in two different ways in the main window.

The first is a 'tree view'not much different than typical file managers. The difference is that QDirStat organizes it by default based on the size of each entry. At a glance you can check how much a folder occupies in percentage of use, its actual size in byte, etc. Like the tree view of a file manager, any folder can be expanded to see its contents.

At the bottom of the window you can see the second graphical view of everything found on the selected route. Each rectangle represents a different file, and the larger the rectangle, the more space the file it represents will occupy.

Trash and delete files

When we find a file or folder that we want to delete, we just have to right click and choose “Move to Trash" or select it and then press “Delete" on the keyboard. The file or folder will remain in the trash folder of the operating system until it is deleted.

option remove from program

We will also have available the option of permanent deletion. There will only be select the option "Delete (no way to recover! ')" or press "Ctrl + Del" on the keyboard.

Compression and cleaning

By selecting folders instead of files, we will have more options to recover storage space. By right-clicking on a folder, we will be able to compress its content to reduce the space they occupy.

It also can delete any remnants of marks or GIT syncs from the context menu.

Finally, 'Delete junk files'deletes the files that it locates in the selected path that the program recognizes as trashto. We can specify which ones in the QdirStat configuration.

Cleaning customization

cleaning settings

We will be able to select 'Settings → Configuration QDirStat'to carry out the QDirStat configuration. The program groups its customization options in three tabs.

  • All the cleaning actions they will allow us to verify the existing functions that the program can execute in selected files and folders. Although their name suggests that they only have to do with the deletion of data, here you can also find the options'Open file manager here'Y'Open terminal here'. We can also reorganize the actions and add new ones.
  • MIME Categories is where you can define different groups of files based on patterns.
  • We can form a list of files and folders that the program will not touch. It would probably be better to add important files and folders here.

It can know more about this program of its web page on GitHub.


2 comments, leave yours

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked with *

*

*

  1. Responsible for the data: Miguel Ángel Gatón
  2. Purpose of the data: Control SPAM, comment management.
  3. Legitimation: Your consent
  4. Communication of the data: The data will not be communicated to third parties except by legal obligation.
  5. Data storage: Database hosted by Occentus Networks (EU)
  6. Rights: At any time you can limit, recover and delete your information.

  1.   Logan said

    I prefer BleachBit

  2.   Test said

    filelight for display, cli for delete.