How do I remove hidden backup files?

Question

I have files ending in ~ in my home directory, and I want to delete them. How do I do that? How do I prevent this backup functionality?

I hope you don't have cause to regret preventing backup functionality! — , Jul 06 '13 at 17:07
No, I already have other ways to backup my work, but I just think that this kind of backup is meaningless. I prefer external copies or the cloud. — Flair, Jul 06 '13 at 21:27

score 13 · Answer 1 · answered Oct 24 '13 at 02:23

13

If you also have unwanted backup files in subfolders, it gets a bit more difficult:

find . -type f -name '*~' -delete

answered Oct 24 '13 at 02:23

IQAndreas

3,188

score 4 · Accepted Answer · edited Jul 06 '13 at 17:06

4

You can simply run rm *~ if you're sure there is no other file that you need which ends in ~

If it is gedit that is creating the backup files, you can open gedit and select Edit->Preferences->Editor and uncheck the option "Create a backup copy of files before saving"

And for nano, look in /etc/nanorc for:

## Backup files to filename~.
set backup

and change that to

## Backup files to filename~.
# set backup

edited Jul 06 '13 at 17:06

answered Jul 06 '13 at 16:37

rahules

372

I already removed nano anyway. Is there a way of removing gedit without breaking the kernel? – Flair Jul 06 '13 at 21:18
just do "sudo apt-get remove gedit". Btw, Do you have another editor installed? – rahules Jul 06 '13 at 21:20
Yes, I have Vim; I just wanted to try out gedit. – Flair Jul 06 '13 at 21:20
1

You may like to have a look at this. http://askubuntu.com/questions/97683/how-can-i-change-the-default-text-editor-from-gedit-to-vim – rahules Jul 06 '13 at 21:24
It's not working for me. – Flair Jul 07 '13 at 16:25
Aren't you getting Vim in the Open with list? Right click on a file and choose open with other application. – rahules Jul 07 '13 at 17:25
No, I still have gedit. The only thing that seems to happen is that when I search for via dash, Vim has its own icon now which is blank. – Flair Jul 11 '13 at 17:48

score -2 · Answer 3 · answered Jul 06 '13 at 16:33

-2

The hidden files are in place to keep user program setup and other program information.

I strongly suggest you to not delete those files.

If you a sure to want to delete them, then open the menu Places->Home Folder (press CTRL+H if you don't see hidden files) and then select and press the Delete keyboard key. If you don't want move them into trash press Shift+Delete keyboard keys

From terminal you can delete hidden files ( don't do it ) with: rm -fr /home/youruser/.*

answered Jul 06 '13 at 16:33

Nick

228
1
8

1

Those are the hidden files that I am not looking for. – Flair Jul 06 '13 at 21:17
1

You can use that do delete the files though. – Nick Jul 06 '13 at 21:19

How do I remove hidden backup files?

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