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Tutorial Reference

Batch Script Deleting Folders

Learn how to use the del command in Windows Batch Script to delete folders, including options like /p (prompt), /f (force), /s (subdirectories), and examples for deleting single or multiple folders.

Deleting Folders

Batch Script provides the del command to delete folders.

del [/p] [/f] [/s] [/q] [/a[[:]attributes]] names

The options that can be presented to the del command are described below.

Options Description
Names Specifies a list of one or more files or directories. Wildcards may be used to delete multiple files. If a directory is specified, all files within the directory will be deleted
/p Prompts for confirmation before deleting each file.
/f Force deletes read-only files.
/s Deletes specified files from all subdirectories.
/q Quiet mode, do not ask if ok to delete on global wildcard.
/a Selects files to delete based on attributes.
attributes R Read-only files
S System files
H Hidden files
A Files ready for archiving
- Prefix meaning not

Examples

Let's look at some examples of how the del command can be used for folders.

The following command will delete the folder called Example in the current working directory.

del Example

The following command will delete the folder called Example in C drive.

del C:\Example

The following command will delete the folder called Example1 and Example2 in the current working directory.

del Example1 , Example2
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