7 things I stopped installing on Linux (and my system is better for it)
7 things I stopped installing on Linux (and my system is better for it)
https://www.makeuseof.com/7-things-i-stopped-installing-on-linux-and-my-system-is-better-for-it/
Publish Date: 2026-03-04 16:00:00
Source Domain: www.makeuseof.com
Most Linux distros give you a ridiculous amount of freedom. At first, that freedom feels intoxicating. Every tweak is possible, and every tool is just install commands away. Your system becomes a playground of clever utilities, experimental packages, and “this might be useful someday” downloads that quietly pile up like digital takeout containers. Eventually, though, the bill comes due.
Over the years, I noticed a pattern. The more disciplined I became about what I did not install, the calmer and more reliable my daily driver became. Fewer weird conflicts. Fewer update surprises. Less of that low-grade system anxiety we all pretend is normal. These are seven things I deliberately stopped installing on my Linux machines, and what I do instead.
Random system cleaners
Because Linux is not Windows circa 2009
There was a phase where I installed every “system cleaner” tool that promised to remove crap, free up memory, or magically optimize performance. It felt responsible. Proactive and very grown-up. It was also mostly unnecessary. Modern Linux systems, especially on Debian-based distros, already manage temporary files and memory extremely well. Many third-party cleaning tools either duplicate built-in functionality or, in some cases, get a little too enthusiastic and remove things you actually need five minutes later.
These days, I keep it boring. If I need to clean package caches, I run the native package manager commands. If disk usage looks suspicious, I check it directly instead of unleashing a mystery “optimizer” on my filesystem. My system did not get slower without these tools. If anything, it got more predictable. Which, frankly, is the kind of excitement I want from my operating system.
