- VS Code Snap package error on Linux keeps deleted files and clogs hard drives
- Snap creates separate local Recycle Bin folders per version, exacerbating storage issues
- No fix yet; users are recommended to install VS Code via .deb/.rpm or Flatpak instead of Snap
Microsoft’s Visual Studio Code installed as a Snap package on a Linux device has a strange bug that keeps all the files users deleted and clogs up hard drives as a result, leading to a myriad of other problems for users.
The bug was first discovered by a couple of software developers who found gigabytes of files to be deleted. Some of them discovered the error after completely running out of space on their computers.
The register notes that the bug was first discovered more than a year ago, and a bug report was published in early November 2024. The report said the cause of the problem lies in Snap creating a local Trash folder for each VS Code version, rather than simply using the system.
Unaddressed code change
What’s more, Snap (a Linux package format and system) also retains older versions of VS Code after updates, further multiplying the number of local Recycle Bin folders and files that should have been deleted but still linger.
On GitHub, a user discovered that the bug stems from an unaddressed code change introduced in early October 2024 that “creates a fake non-system recycle bin.” According to the user, the folder is cluttered, “transferred from update to update” and “gradually inflated”.
Low disk space can slow the system, editors and compilers and cause crashes or failed writes.
The register says that neither VS Code nor Snap has a way to manage these folders, but claims that it is possible via the command line.
Right now there is no indication that a fix has been released or that it is even in the works. For now, many Linux users avoid the bug by installing VS Code from the official .deb/.rpm packages or using alternatives like Flatpak instead of the Snap version.
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