Serious Discussion BleachBit update and discussion

oldschool

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Mar 29, 2018
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Opened this ongoing thread for BleachBit updates, Q & A's, etc. ...

Update

June 27, 2021: BleachBit 4.4.0 has been released.

These are the changes since version 4.0.0:
  • Add cleaner for Zoom (suggested by cybercom02).
  • Add cleaner for Pale Moon (thanks to arckat324).
  • Add cleaner for Slack messenger (suggested by summonholmes).
  • Fix: Preserve bookmarked favicons when cleaning Firefox (reported by Team-Sys, fixed by rados).
  • Clean more: Firefox bookmarked sites (reported by KodrosX), moz_origins, favicons .
  • Support shredding with deep scan (fixed by Max Khon).
  • Support advanced searches in deep scan: nregex, wholeregex, and nwholeregex (fixed by Max Khon).
  • Fix: AttributeError error message when using the menu option "shred settings and quit" (reported by ediowar, fixed by Max Khon).
  • Fix: remove "closest monitor" debugging message (reported by Gitoffthelawn, fixed by Max Khon).
  • Fix: set output of chaff to be human readable instead of base64 encoded.
  • Fix: do not delete LibreOffice extensions (reported by sebas22).
  • Specific to Linux
    • Add packages for latest Fedora (32 and 33) and Ubuntu (20.04 and 20.10).
    • Clean Chromium when installed as snap (reported by Martii).
    • Fix KeyError: 'win10_theme' when switching visual themes (reported by Ashutosh-Kukreti, fixed by Max Khon).
    • Fix: warning SyntaxWarning: "is not" with a literal with Python version 3.8 (thanks to s-ankur).
    • Fix: loop when maximizing window (reported by ediowar, fixed thanks to Max Kohn).
    • Fix: dnf autoremove returned TypeError: a bytes-like object is required, not 'str' and left orphaned process (reported by terrycloth).
    • Do not package the unneeded Winapp.py file (reported by terrycloth).
  • Specific to Windows
    • Add cleaner for Chromium-based Microsoft Edge (thanks to Max Khon).
    • Fix: wiping special files returned TypeError: ord() or access denied (reported by David-Gonzalez1109 and WilliamBeltranC, fixed thanks to Max Khon).
    • Fix: UnicodeDecodeError: 'charmap' codec can't decode byte [...] error when cleaning Google chrome (first reported by Robert51, fixed by Max Khoh).
    • Fix: missing version number in executable metadata (reported by MusiqueGraeme, fixed by Max Khoh).
    • Fix: do not install unwanted translation (first reported by MPet1, fixed by Max Khon).
    • Fix: in the about dialog, the website button failed (reported by cliftonprince, fixed by Max Khon).
    • Fix: all characters were shown as rectangles because of a font error (first reported by mayerthomas, fixed by Max Khon).
    • Fix: OSError: [Errno 22] Invalid argument error when wiping free space (first reported by gator101, fixed by Max Khon).
    • Fix: the menu option "shred settings and quit" did not delete winapp2.ini (reported by ediowar, fixed by Max Khon).
    • Fix: make deep scan case insensitive (fixed by Max Khon).
    • Fix: delete gdbus-nonce-file temporary files (reported by Gitoffthelawn).
    • Fix: error message AttributeError: 'gi.repository.Gtk' object has no attribute 'show_uri_on_window' on older Linux distributions such as Ubuntu 16.06 (reported by ediowar, fixed by Anatoli Babenia).
    • Do not distribute unneeded fonts.
    • Renew the code signing certificate (SHA256).
Seems as if BleachBit hasn't been getting much love here @ MT but this new version is looking good! (y) (y)
 

Evjl's Rain

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Apr 18, 2016
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this program is good but the only thing I don't like is it is not compatible with the latest custom cleaning list from winapp2.ini
bleachbit uses its own winapp2 and this version is rarely updated
the latest version of bleachbit's winapp2 is created on April 6, 2021
 

The_King

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Aug 2, 2020
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Be Very Careful with BleachBit!
It erases things (e.g. Browser FavIcons etc.) it shouldn't!
I use CCleaner Portable with Winapp2ool
Favicons can be used to track users. I have favicons disabled in FF.
 

dabluez98

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Oct 2, 2018
138
Wise Disc Cleaner left a lot of junk all over the place...added itself to my task schedules etc...i am afraid to install it again, or even the portable, it seems to leave a lot of things all over the place?? EDIT: sorry just realize this thread is for BleachBit --> I was just replying to previous reply, not intending to discuss that (Wisecleaner) further here.
 

simmerskool

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Apr 16, 2017
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Question: so I used bleachbit long time ago, recently I had been using Privacy Eraser (free / paid versions). It was ok. So I'm trying bleachbit 442. Running it in win10_vm. Ok but a few questions, and I went to more official sites, and got bumped around?? There forum says "NOTICE November 2019: Because most people ended up emailing me directly for support, forum registration is closed." So here I am. When bb installs it was admin ok, no problem, but when I run it sua it does NOT empty my trash, although recycle bin is checked under system. My best guess is it's cleaning the admin acct trash?? Also, it does not find Chrome, so chrome cleaning is not listed. I guess you can manually add a location, but I don't know all the directories where Chrome stores stuff. I have used some Wise apps in the past, but not their cleaner. Ideas??
 

simmerskool

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Opened this ongoing thread for BleachBit updates, Q & A's, etc. ...

Seems as if BleachBit hasn't been getting much love here @ MT but this new version is looking good! (y) (y)
I had been using Privacy Eraser, but something about it left me looking for something else. I had used BleachBit in distant past, but when I tried it a few days ago, it left me with a few unanswered questions (in my head), reinstalled Privacy Eraser, meanwhile I was reading more about BleachBit, and downloaded the portable version 4.4.2, liking it a lot. I've disabled Privacy Eraser, and happy with BleachBit into the foreseeable future. Clean, easy to control what is being uninstalled, does not monitor browser(s) in real time, just runs when I open it, and deletes when I push the button. BleachBit seems well liked at Wilder's fwiw.
 

simmerskool

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Bleachbit question: I had something in trash I wanted to delete and also I had been surfing for a few hours and wanted to delete history. I opened Bleachbit from SUA and it wants to run as admin. So I run it, and notice there's hardly anything to be cleaned from browsers and SUA trashcan did not delete, (But I bet the admin user is clean, duh!) All the internet crap is stored in each user's account, correct? ditto the trash can. So how do I make Bleachbit force it to clean the crap in the SUA that I"m actually using? When I look at options, it is not jumping out at me, but surely it must be able to clean my SUA...??

EDIT (2 days later) I fixed MY bb sua issue: user "error" or I forgot some nuances of bb. :oops: and nothing borked. Read helpful info (including the testing section) at: 🤓
 
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CyberTech

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BleachBit 4.5.1.2523 Beta changelog:
For a list of changes see the commit log and GitHub bug tracker.

Tests

Please test the application in general with special attention to the following tests.
  • Verify that BleachBit does not delete Firefox bookmarks icons (1081).
  • Create a temporary directory. In BleachBit - Preferences - Drives, add the directory. Close the preferences, and remove the directory. In BleachBit, enable System - Free disk space, and clean it. Verify the message is more friendly than in 1273.
  • Verify the confirmation dialog has a title (1188).
  • Clean GIMP (1326).
  • Clean FileZilla (1438).
  • Clean Thunderbird installed as flatpak (1488).
  • Under Firefox, choose option for "session restore," and verify recently closed tabs are cleaned (1365). Option must be enabled in Firefox.
  • On non-English display, verify the options are sorted by the local language (441). Vacuum option should be last still.
  • Clean Firefox, and there should not be an error "no such table" (1429).
  • The dialog windows should have titles (1188).

Windows
  • During installation, there should be description of components (221).
  • Use Windows Explorer to open %WinDir%\System32\config\Systemprofile\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\INetCache\. If it is empty, copy any file there. Open BleachBit with administrator privileges, and clean Internet Explorer - Cache. Verify the file was removed. (1031)
  • If c:\windows.old does not exist, create it. Then use BleachBit to clean System - Windows Updates, and verify it was removed. (1031).

Homepage

Download link
 

Morro

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Now, this is only a rumour I once saw somewhere online about Bleachbit, so I am far from certain that it is true or not.

But I once read an article that mentioned Bleachbit is not to be used on a SSD, and now purely out of curiosity I would like to ask if someone knows if this is true or not. :)
 
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simmerskool

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Now, this is only a rumour I once saw somewhere online about Bleachbit, so I am far from certain that it is true or not.

But I once read an article that mentioned Bleachbit is not to be used on a SSD, and now purely out of curiosity I would like to ask if someone knows if this is true or not. :)
fwiw, I never heard that, and I have ssd and use bleachbit. I am not aware of any problems, but caution suggested. :cautious: would also like a knowledgeable answer to this? (maybe bot know?)
 
F

ForgottenSeer 103564

fwiw, I never heard that, and I have ssd and use bleachbit. I am not aware of any problems, but caution suggested. :cautious: would also like a knowledgeable answer to this? (maybe bot know?)
As you stated you are using it with no issues, but you have to ask is it necessary. Unlike the days of HHD, SSD garbage removal and trim is superior to HHD's, and you can always run a secure erase on the drive if that concerned. Bleachbit, while i have never trashed a drive with it, can be detrimental to system files ect, so one has to be careful either way.
 
F

ForgottenSeer 97327

fwiw, I never heard that, and I have ssd and use bleachbit. I am not aware of any problems, but caution suggested. :cautious: would also like a knowledgeable answer to this? (maybe bot know?)
SSD's have a limited write cycle (depending on type and quality of the ssd this can vary). When (just an example) the write cycle of your SSD cell's is say 100.000. It means that you can write 100.000 times to that cell before it starts to provide faults. When you bleach deleted files they are overwritten with a value (e.g. low values or all binary zeroes). This bleach also counts as a write. So bleaching could shorten the life time of a SSD depending how often you bleach deleted files (overwrite them with low values). Also bleaching should not be nessecary because SSD's erases deleted cells automatically to speed up disk writes, This process is called garbage collection.

Despite its name, SSD garbage collection has nothing to do with discarding files that are no longer needed. Rather, garbage collection is aimed at optimizing space and improving efficiency. When you delete data on a SSD it is marked as free, but can't be used until it is erased again. When you want to write something to a deleted/free cell it first needs to be erased (flashed with a voltage) before it can be used. Garbage collection sweeps (parts) of your SSD automatically to prevent erase before use congestion.
 
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F

ForgottenSeer 103564

SSD's have a limited write cycle (depending on type and quality of the ssd this can vary). When (just an example) the write cycle of your SSD cell's is say 100.000. It means that you can write 100.000 times to that cell before it starts to provide faults. When you bleach deleted files they are overwritten with a value (e.g. low values or all binary zeroes). This bleach also counts as a write. So bleaching could shorten the life time of a SSD depending how often you bleach deleted files (overwrite them with low values). Also bleaching should not be nessecary because SSD's erases deleted cells automatically to speed up disk writes, This process is called garbage collection.

Despite its name, SSD garbage collection has nothing to do with discarding files that are no longer needed. Rather, garbage collection is aimed at optimizing space and improving efficiency. When you delete data on a SSD it is marked as free, but can't be used until it is erased again. When you want to write something to a deleted/free cell it first needs to be erased (flashed with a voltage) before it can be used. Garbage collection sweeps (parts) of your SSD automatically to prevent erase before use congestion.
Yes max that's how it works, I'm glad you took the time to iterate that. Just so you understand my post, I mention garbage collection and trim being superior to hdd not because of deleting but efficiency of the drive. I mention secure delete if standard delete which is more effective as well in a sdd than hdd, does not feel enough to squash concerns.
 
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nicolaasjan

Level 3
May 29, 2023
127
Warning:

Never run BleachBit as root on Linux!
See e.g.:

Never use cleaning applications like BleachBit (nor defrag apps)​

4. With cleaning applications like BleachBit or deborphan, you easily destroy more than you want. They're software wrecking balls that can damage your system beyond repair.

You can't trust them, because unless you're very careful, they remove too much and damage the system. Sometimes so heavily, that your Mint can't boot into the desktop anymore. Under certain circumstances, BleachBit can even pollute your system with massive amounts of junk.

BleachBit, deborphan and others like them are superfluous at best, and disastrous at their worst. They're "tools" that primarily cater to the psychological needs of new Linux users who come fresh from Windows, and mistakenly assume that certain essential Windows maintenance is needed on Linux as well.

In short: it's a newbie trap. Don't fall for it.

Besides, cleaning applications are superfluous. Linux hardly experiences any pollution. So cleaning is not necessary. You may at most win a gigabyte or so of disk space, at an unacceptably high risk of damage. Should you wish to clean up a bit anyway, then this is a safe way for Linux Mint.
 
F

ForgottenSeer 97327

SSD garbage removal and trim is superior to HHD's,

Yes max that's how it works, I'm glad you took the time to iterate that. Just so you understand my post, I mention garbage collection and trim being superior to hdd not because of deleting but efficiency of the drive. I mention secure delete if standard delete which is more effective as well in a sdd than hdd, does not feel enough to squash concerns.

Because you said garbage removal in stead of garbage collection and again said garbage collections of SSD is superior to HDD.

HDD's don't have garbage collection, HDD's simply overwrite data. So yes SDD's garbage collection is far superior to HDD's as is the flying capacity of a pigeon far superior to that of an elephant.

Secure delete is the same as bleaching, so not recommended on a SDD
 
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