SystemRequires admin/root
APT Package Cache
APT stores downloaded .deb package archives in /var/cache/apt/archives so installs, reinstalls, and upgrades do not need to fetch the same files again. Over time this cache accumulates superseded package versions, partial downloads, and packages no longer available from current repositories, which can waste significant disk space and sometimes interfere with package operations. Kudu removes cached APT package archives and leftover partial .deb downloads while leaving installed packages, package databases, sources, and system settings untouched.
Why clean APT Package Cache?
- Old .deb archives from previous package versions pile up in /var/cache/apt/archives, and users usually notice only when the root filesystem starts reporting low disk space during upgrades
- Interrupted or incomplete downloads can leave partial package files behind, which show up as repeated fetch attempts or package manager errors the next time apt tries to continue
- Cached packages for versions no longer present in current repositories waste space without helping future installs, especially on systems that receive frequent security and kernel updates
- Large caches can make it harder to see what apt actually needs to download, and users often notice unexpectedly high disk usage even after removing applications
- When an upgrade fails because the system partition is nearly full, clearing archived .deb files often frees enough room for apt to unpack and configure pending packages
- Local package archives can remain long after the related package has been removed, so users may see disk usage stay high even though the software itself is gone
What gets cleaned
Cache paths Kudu targets
Linux
/var/cache/apt/archives |
Frequently asked
Common questions about APT Package Cache
Related cleaners
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