remove-default-wordlist

remove-default-wordlist

The remove-default-wordlist command is a utility script primarily found in Kali Linux environments. Its main function is to permanently remove the large rockyou.txt.gz wordlist file, which is often pre-installed in /usr/share/wordlists/.

This command is particularly useful for users who need to conserve disk space, especially when running Kali Linux in a virtual machine with limited storage, or during live boot sessions where persistent storage is scarce. By executing this simple command, users can quickly free up several gigabytes of space occupied by this extensive wordlist.

It's part of a suite of wordlist management tools in Kali, designed to help security professionals manage their resources efficiently. While removing this wordlist saves space, users can re-download it using install-wordlists if needed for specific penetration testing or auditing tasks.

This command is specific to Kali Linux and may not be present or function identically on other distributions. It requires root privileges (or sudo) to execute successfully, as it modifies system-level files. Removing the rockyou.txt.gz wordlist means it will no longer be available locally for tools that rely on it, requiring re-download if needed later.

On Kali Linux, the script is usually located at /usr/bin/remove-default-wordlist.

Successfully running this command will delete the /usr/share/wordlists/rockyou.txt.gz file, freeing up several gigabytes of disk space.

The remove-default-wordlist script emerged as a practical solution within the Kali Linux distribution to address disk space constraints, particularly relevant for live USB boots, minimal installations, and virtual machines. As the default rockyou.txt.gz wordlist grew in size, this utility became essential for users needing to optimize their storage. It reflects Kali Linux's ongoing efforts to provide flexible and resource-efficient tools for security professionals.

install-wordlists(8), update-wordlists(8), crunch(1), hashcat(1)