Many Android users sooner or later face the need to free up space on their device or simply replace the file manager with a more modern analogue. Total Commander, being a legendary tool on PCs, on mobile platforms it may seem outdated or redundant. The process of deleting it has its own nuances, especially if the application was actively used and acquired a cache.
Unlike simple games or social networks, file managers often receive extended access rights to the system. This allows them to see hidden folders and system files, but during uninstallation it can leave “tails” in the form of empty directories or configuration entries. Understanding how to remove Total Commander from Android correctly will help you avoid memory garbage and potential conflicts with new software.
In this article we will examine in detail standard removal methods, working with superuser rights and manually clearing residual data. You will learn to distinguish system processes from user applications, which is an important skill for any owner Android smartphone.
Standard uninstallation through system settings
The easiest and safest way to get rid of an application is to use the built-in tools of the operating system. This method is suitable for most users who installed the app from Google Play or a third-party store and did not make changes to system files. The process takes no more than a minute and does not require special knowledge.
First you need to open the main settings menu of your device. The interface may differ depending on the manufacturer's shell (MIUI, OneUI, ColorOS), but the logic remains the same. Find the section responsible for managing installed apps and select the desired item from the list.
- 📱 Open "Settings" and go to the "Applications" or "Application Manager" section.
- 🔍 In the list, find Total Commander (may be displayed as "Total Commander" or “TotalCmd”)
- 🗑️ Click on the application icon, select the “Delete” button and confirm the action.
If the delete button is inactive (gray), this means that the application is built into the firmware by the smartphone manufacturer. In this case, the standard method will not work, and deeper interventions will be required, which will be discussed below. The system may also ask you to confirm access rights before deleting if you are using a profile with restrictions.
It is important to note that after standard deletion, folders with user data may remain on the device. Total Commander often creates its own directories for plugins or temporary files that are not erased automatically. Check the internal memory for folders with names containing “TotalCMD” or “Ghisler”.
Removal via Google Play Store
An alternative and often more convenient way is to use the store interface Google Play. This method is good because it immediately shows which applications are taking up space and allows you to manage them centrally. In addition, here you can quickly check whether the application is a system one.
Open the application Play Market on your device. Click on your profile avatar in the top right corner and select Manage apps and device. Go to the “Management” tab to see a complete list of installed software.
⚠️ Attention: If you see the message “This application cannot be deleted,” it means that it is part of the system partition. An attempt to remove it through third-party apps in this case may lead to unstable operation of the system.
Find it in the list Total Commander and click on it. The application page will open, where instead of the “Open” or “Update” button there will be a red “Delete” button. Click it and confirm the operation in the pop-up window. This method ensures that all components related to Google account and licensing will be removed.
Before deleting heavy applications through Google Play, make sure that you have a stable Internet connection in order to synchronize the list of devices.
After completing the process, it is recommended to restart your smartphone. This will allow the system to redistribute freed space and update media file databases if the file manager was processing them. In some cases, this also helps to reset hung processes that could “cling” to the software being removed.
Working with superuser rights (Root)
If Total Commander was installed as a system application (for example, built into a custom assembly Android or modified firmware), conventional methods will not help. To remove such apps, you need Root (superuser) rights. This gives complete control over the file system, but requires caution.
To work, you will need a specialized file manager with support for root access, for example Root Explorer or Solid Explorer with root mode enabled. After gaining access rights (via Magisk or SuperSU), you will be able to delete files from protected sections.
- 🔓 Launch the file manager and grant it superuser rights when prompted.
- 📂 Go to the root directory
/system/appor/system/priv-app. - ❌ Find the folder or APK file associated with Total Commander and delete it.
Be extremely careful when working in system folders. Deleting an unnecessary file can lead to a “bootlap” (cyclic reboot) of the phone. Always make a backup copy of important data before tampering with the partition /system. If you are not sure of your actions, it is better to use tools for freezing applications, such as Titanium Backup.
What is a bootloop and how to avoid it?
A bootloop is a condition when the phone constantly reboots before reaching the desktop. This often happens when you remove critical system components. To avoid this, remove only those applications whose origin you are 100% sure of.
Cleaning residual files and cache
Even after successful uninstallation, “orphaned” files may remain on the disk. Total Commander known for its modular structure: plugins, skins and custom ones settings are often saved in shared folders that are not deleted along with the main APK file.
Check the internal memory first. Look for folders with the names TotalCMD, ghisler or names of installed plugins. Also look at the hidden system folders /Android/data/ and /Android/obb/, where cached data could remain.
| Location | Data type | Need to delete? |
|---|---|---|
/sdcard/TotalCMD |
User settings | Yes, if not needed |
/Android/data/com.ghisler.totalcmd |
Cache and temporary files | Yes, safe |
/system/app/TotalCMD |
System file (Root) | Only with rights Root |
/data/data/com.ghisler.totalcmd |
Application database | Automatically when deleted |
To find large forgotten files, you can use the built-in storage analyzer or third-party utilities such as Files by Google. They will help you visualize which directories take up the most space after removing heavy software. Clearing this data can free up 50 to 200 MB of space.
☑️ Check residual files
Solving uninstallation problems
Sometimes the uninstallation process is interrupted or the uninstall button simply does not respond. This may be caused by active processes in the background that are blocking the file from being deleted. Total Commander may have services running, for example for an FTP server or synchronization.
The first step should always be Force Stop. Go to the application settings, click “Force Stop”, and only after that try to remove the app. If this does not help, try doing it in Safe Mode.
⚠️ Attention: The interfaces of smartphone manufacturers change. The location of the Safe Mode menu may vary. If the standard method (pressing the power button) does not work, check the exact key combination for your model in the official manual.
In safe mode, only system applications are loaded, which allows you to bypass blocking by third-party software. If this does not help, your device may have administrator rights for this application. Check the “Security” section → “Device Administrators” and uncheck the box opposite Total Commander.
Alternatives and choosing a new file manager
After deleting the old manager, the user is faced with the question of choosing a replacement. The market offers many solutions, from minimalistic to overloaded with features. It is important to choose a tool that suits your current tasks and does not overload RAM.
Among the popular alternatives are Solid Explorer (balance of design and functions), FX File Explorer (powerful network functionality) and Files by Google (simplicity and garbage cleaning). Each of them has its own advantages depending on the use case.
- 🚀 Solid Explorer: Ideal for those who are used to the two-panel interface of Total Commander, but want a modern design.
- ☁️ FX File Explorer: The best choice for working with cloud storage and network protocols (SMB, FTP).
- 🧹 CX File Explorer: Lightweight option with excellent visual memory analyzer.
The choice of a new file manager should depend on your needs: lightweight versions are suitable for simple work with documents, and advanced tools are needed for working with the network.
You should not install several file managers at once. This can lead to file association conflicts when the system no longer understands which app to open pictures or documents with. Select one main tool and customize it for yourself.
Is it possible to remove Total Commander if it is built into the firmware?
Yes, but only if you have root access. Without superuser rights, system applications can only be “disabled” or “frozen” by hiding them from the menu, but they take up space in the system partition.
Is it safe to delete folders called TotalCMD manually?
Yes, if you have already deleted the application itself. These folders only contain user settings, plugins and history. Removing them will not harm the operating system.
What to do if the phone says “Insufficient memory” when deleting?
Try clearing the cache of the Total Commander application itself before deleting. Also free up some space by deleting large photos or videos so that the system can uninstall the process.
Do you need to remove Total Commander on old smartphones?
On devices with a small amount of RAM (less than 2 GB), removing heavy file managers can speed up the system a little, since they will not hang in background processes.