Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
Do you wish to empty the trash folder on your Ubuntu computer but need help with that? You should read through this guide as it features numerous methods to accomplish that.
Option 1: Empty Trash Through the GUI
There are two ways you can empty the trash on your Ubuntu computer via the GUI (Graphical User Interface). You can either empty the trash using the trash icon on the taskbar/dock or through the Ubuntu File Manager.
The following sub-sections demonstrate how to empty the trash in Ubuntu through the GUI using the aforementioned means.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Method 1: Empty Trash Through the Taskbar/Dock
One of the fastest ways to empty the trash on your Ubuntu computer via the GUI is through the taskbar. To do that, follow the procedures below carefully.
Popular on Amazon
- Reliable Plug and Play: The USB receiver provides a reliable wireless connection up to 33 ft (1), so you can forget about drop-outs and delays and you can take it wherever you use your computer
- Type in Comfort: The design of this keyboard creates a comfortable typing experience thanks to the low-profile, quiet keys and standard layout with full-size F-keys, number pad, and arrow keys
- Durable and Resilient: This full-size wireless keyboard features a spill-resistant design (2), durable keys and sturdy tilt legs with adjustable height
- Long Battery Life: MK270 combo features a 36-month keyboard and 12-month mouse battery life (3), along with on/off switches allowing you to go months without the hassle of changing batteries
- Easy to Use: This wireless keyboard and mouse combo features 8 multimedia hotkeys for instant access to the Internet, email, play/pause, and volume so you can easily check out your favorite sites
- Right-click the Trash icon on the Ubuntu taskbar/dock, then select Empty Trash from the displayed options.
- Following that, you should receive a warning saying all the items in the Trash will be permanently deleted – click the red Empty Trash button to empty the trash.
Method 2: Empty Trash via the File Manager
As mentioned earlier, you can also empty the trash on your Ubuntu computer through the GUI by using the File Manager. In order to accomplish that, carefully execute the following procedures below.
- Double-click the Trash icon on the Ubuntu taskbar to open the folder.
- In the Ubuntu File Manager, click the Empty… button in the Trash folder.
- Consequently, a dialogue box with a warning will appear on your screen. Hence, click the red Empty Trash button to empty the trash.
Option 2: Empty Trash via the Terminal
As expected, you can also empty the trash on your Ubuntu computer through the terminal. As a matter of fact, there are multiple command lines to perform this task through the terminal.
The subsequent sub-sections illustrate how to use these command lines to empty the trash in Ubuntu through the terminal.
Recommended Free Tools
Also popular on Amazon
- Dependable wireless connection: Enjoy the reliability and convenience of 2.4 GHz connectivity with your logitech wireless keyboard and mouse combo, wireless range up to 10 meters away at home, or work.
- Full-Size Wireless Keyboard: Comfortable, quiet typing on a familiar keyboard layout with palm rest, spill-resistant design, and media keys. This wireless keyboard and mouse logitech has easy-access to media keys
- Plug and Play: MK345 works seamlessly with Windows, macOS, and ChromeOS. Experience hassle-free setup with the logitech mk345 wireless combo and wireless keyboard mouse combo for various operating systems.
- Long-lasting Battery: The MK345 combo offers a full size keyboard battery life of up to 3 years and a mouse battery life of 18 months (1); batteries included
- Comfortable Right-handed Mouse: This wireless USB mouse with dongle works well for this wireless mouse and keyboard combo, featuring a contoured shape for all-day comfort and smooth, precise tracking and scrolling for easier navigation.
Method 1: Empty Trash Using the Rm Command
The rm command is one of the multiple commands to empty the trash in the Ubuntu operating system. To make use of this command to empty the trash, observe the following procedures and screenshots below carefully.
- Launch the terminal in Ubuntu by right-clicking any free space on the desktop and selecting Open in Terminal from the displayed options. The Ctrl + Alt + T keyboard shortcut is also an alternative to open the terminal in Ubuntu.
- When the terminal opens on your Ubuntu computer, first execute the command below to access the Trash directory and files. However, replace “computername” with the name of your Ubuntu computer before running the command.
cd /home/computername/.local/share/Trash/files
For example, the name of my Ubuntu computer is “itechguides”. Hence, below is what the command should look like on my computer.
cd /home/itechguides/.local/share/Trash/files
- Finally, execute the rm command below to delete all the files in the Trash folder.
rm -rf *
Method 2: Empty Trash Using the Trash-empty Command
The trash-empty command is another command that can be used to empty the trash in the Ubuntu OS through the terminal. However, this command cannot work if you don’t have the trash-cli utility installed on your Ubuntu computer.
Also popular on Amazon
- 【Ergonomic Wireless Keyboard Mouse 】: Wireless ergonomic keyboard is equipped with adjustable height tilt legs to increase comfort and prevent your wrists injury when typing for a long time. The full size wireless keyboard with numeric keypad and 12 multimedia shortcut keys, such as play/ pause, volume increase and decrease, and email, to help you improve work efficiency
- 【Stable & Reliable Wireless Connection】: This wireless keyboard and mouse combo share the same USB receiver(stored in the mouse), and they can also be used separately. Plug & play, no need to download any software, 2.4 GHz wireless provides a powerful and reliable connection up to 33 feet(10m) without any delays.You can enjoy the convenience and freedom of wireless connection at home or at work
- 【Comfortable Optical Mouse】: This compact lightweight wireless mouse features a hand-friendly contoured shape for all-day comfort, and smooth, precise tracking.1600 DPI to meet your daily needs. Perfect for home & office work and entertainment
- 【Long Battery Life】: Up to 365 Days of battery life for keyboard and mouse wireless, say goodbye to the hassle of charging cables and replacing batteries. After 10 minutes of inactivity, the wireless keyboard mouse combo will automatically go into sleep mode to save energy. The wireless keyboard requires one AAA battery, and the wireless mouse requires one AA battery.
- 【Less Noise, More Quiet Keys】: Soft membrane keys provide a quiet and comfortable typing experience, So you can type with confidence on a wireless keyboard crafted for comfort, precision and fluidity. The wireless mouse adopts silent micro-motion technology, which is almost completely silent when clicked. No more concerns about disturbing others.
Hence, the following procedures demonstrate how to install the trash-cli utility through the terminal and use the trash-empty command.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →- Right-click any free space on the Ubuntu desktop and select Open in Terminal from the displayed options to launch the terminal. You can also use the Ctrl + Alt + T keyboard shortcut as an alternative to open the terminal in Ubuntu.
- In the Ubuntu terminal, run the subsequent command below to install the trash-cli utility. Then, you will be asked to input your computer password – do that and press the enter key to proceed.
sudo apt install trash-cli
- Consequently, the trash-cli utility should start to install on your Ubuntu computer.
- When the utility has been successfully installed, run the trash-empty command below to empty the trash.
trash-empty
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, the Ubuntu operating system features a trash folder where every deleted file is stored. This folder can be found on the Ubuntu taskbar or File Manager.
You can permanently delete deleted files on your Ubuntu computer by emptying the trash folder. To do that, follow the procedures below.
a) Right-click the Trash icon on the Ubuntu taskbar/dock and select Empty Trash from the displayed options.
b) Then, you should receive a warning saying all the items in Trash will be permanently deleted – click the red Empty Trash button to proceed.
Also popular on Amazon
- 【Lag-free & Efficient】Stable and reliable connection of wireless keyboard and mouse is up to 10m(33ft). This combo share a nano USB receiver, no need to take up additional USB ports (Also the wireless keyboard and mouse can also be used separately). Plug and play, no software needed,convenient and efficient.
- 【Quiet & Type in Comfort】Wireless keyboard come with adjustable height tilt legs to increase comfort and prevent your wrists injury when typing for a long time.Our wireless keyboard adopts a silent structure. Soft membrane keys provide a quiet and comfortable typing experience.The wireless mouse is quiet without any clicking sound also.So whether at home or in the office, you can use this combo as you please without worrying about disturbing others.
- 【Full Size Keyboard】This keyboard saves desktop space while retaining its full size.The full size wireless keyboard with numeric keypad and 12 multimedia shortcut keys, such as play/ pause, volume increase and decrease, and search, to help you improve work efficiency.
- 【Auto Power Saving Function】Wireless keyboard and mouse have a smart auto-sleep mode to save power for long battery life. They will enter sleep mode after stop using a while(Refer to the instructions for details). Unplug the receiver or after the PC shutdown, they will enter sleep mode too.You can press any keys to wake. (battery life may vary based on user and computing conditions)
- 【Comfortable Optical Mouse】This silent wireless mice provides 3 adjustable DPI (800/1200/1600) to meet your different needs in terms of sensitivity.The compact lightweight design of wireless mouse and a hand-friendly contoured shape for all-day comfort, and smooth, precise tracking. Very suitable for office and daily use.
Yes, the Ubuntu operating system is a Linux-based operating system. Basically, the Ubuntu OS is one of the distributions of the Linux operating system.
The first version of the Ubuntu operating system (Ubuntu 4.10) was released on October 20, 2004.
As of the time I wrote this guide in November 2022, the latest version of the Ubuntu OS is Ubuntu 22.10, which was released on October 20, 2022.
Also popular on Amazon
- 【Ergonomic Comfort – Perfect for Long Workdays.】The keyboard features a adjustable height tilt legs and a ergonomic design, allowing you to set the perfect typing angle to reduce wrist strain. The mouse’s symmetrical ultra-slim shape fits both left and right hands naturally. Both keyboard and mouse keep you comfortable and productive through marathon sessions.
- 【Whisper-Quiet Operation – Ideal for Shared or Open Spaces】The silent mouse and low-noise keyboard let you click and type without disturbing others. No more annoying clicking sounds during video calls or focused work – just smooth, quiet performance that respects the people around you when you are at home office, library, or an open-plan workspace.
- 【Smart Power Efficiency – Never Worry About Battery Life】With an auto-sleep function, battery level indicator, and energy-saving design, this keyboard mouse combo keeps working when you need it. The power indicator alerts you before power runs low, so you’ll never be caught off guard in the middle of an important task, suitable for student or freelancer moving between coffee shops, classes, and home. The wireless keyboard requires one AAA battery, and the wireless mouse requires one AA battery.
- 【Universal System Compatibility – One Set for All Your Devices】Wireless keyboard and mouse works seamlessly with Windows 11/10/8/7, Mac OS, Chrome OS, and Linux. No driver hunting or compatibility worries – just plug and play. And compatible with laptop desktop PC computer notebook Chromebook Mac MacBook iMac and more. The full-size 104-key layout ensures you have all the functions you need, no matter the platform.
- 【One Shared USB Receiver for Keyboard and Mouse – True Plug-and-Play Convenience】The mouse stores a single 2.4GHz USB receiver right inside its body, so you’ll never lose it. Use the receiver to connect both the keyboard and the mouse simultaneously – or use each device separately if needed. With reliable, lag-free wireless performance up to 10 meters (33 feet), you can control your screen from across the room, perfect for a TV or projector for entertainment.
Conclusion
Emptying the trash files frees up space on your computer. Fortunately, I demonstrated multiple methods to empty the trash on your Ubuntu computer.
To be more specific, we learned how to perform the task through the Ubuntu GUI. This guide also taught us how to empty the trash via the terminal.
I hope this guide was helpful to you. If it was, click on “Yes” beside the “Was this page helpful” question below.
You may also express your thoughts and opinions by using the “Leave a Comment” form at the bottom of this page.
Finally, visit our Linux how-to page to get more Linux guides.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
