Open source system cleaner, BleachBit, has released its first major update in over a year, enhancing its cleaning capabilities, security features, and overall stability. This free application, available for both Windows and Linux, is designed to free up disk space by eliminating caches, cookies, and other unnecessary files.
What’s New in BleachBit 5.0?
Version 5.0 introduces several new features, particularly benefiting Linux users. Notably, it now displays an indicator icon in the panel to show if the application is running. Enhanced cleaning support has been added for several applications, including:
- Discord (including beta and snap versions)
- Microsoft Edge (non-beta versions)
- Librewolf
- Geary
- Temporary files from Bash
- Cleaning of broken
.desktopfiles - Improved management of rotated logs
Additionally, users can expect:
- A new option for display language in preferences.
- Keyboard shortcuts to close the app (Ctrl + Q/W).
- Less intrusive update notifications.
- Restoration of the
--debugcommand line switch. - Improved functionality for loading personal cleaners in portable mode.
- Support for multi-user systems preventing interference from other users’ running processes.
- Validation checks in custom and whitelist tabs.
For Windows users, security vulnerabilities related to DLLs have been addressed, and the Windows 10 theme has been updated. However, support for Windows XP and Windows 7 has been discontinued.
Download BleachBit 5.0
BleachBit 5.0 is available for download from its official site, with versions for both Windows and Linux. Linux users can get it as a 64-bit DEB package compatible with Ubuntu and Linux Mint (version 20.04 LTS and newer).
If you prefer not to upgrade, you can install an older version from the Ubuntu repositories using the command:
sudo apt install bleachbitIs BleachBit Worth Using on Ubuntu?
For users encountering low disk space or application issues, BleachBit is a valuable tool for maintaining a clean system. However, it should be used with caution due to its powerful cleaning capabilities. The recommendation is to always use the "preview" function before cleaning to see what will be removed, allowing for a review to ensure no critical files are deleted.
Clear caches cautiously, as they can significantly impact app performance and loading times. While BleachBit can effectively free up space and manage digital clutter, wrong usage can lead to complications. As they say, with great power comes great responsibility!
Have you tried using BleachBit? Feel free to share your experiences.