Doing A Large File(s) Deletion (Several Hundred) ?


  1. Robert11
    Posts : 542
    Windows 7 64bit
       New #1

    Doing A Large File(s) Deletion (Several Hundred) ?


    Hello,

    Have several hundred Notepad messages in system that Agent Ransak found that a virus put in as warning messages. All over the place.

    Tried deleting using AgentRansak, but it can't seem to handle that many.
    Other than individually, or just a few at a time, which isn't too practical.

    Any good way to use a small program or whatever to delete them all in one action after entering the name of the Notepad file ?

    Seems to be the same file name, but located all over.

    Bob
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  3. MilesAhead
    Posts : 5,092
    Windows 7 32 bit
       New #2

    You could try Linux utilities ported to Windows. For example the Linux "Find" command takes a file pattern and you can set every found file to have a command run on it, such as rm(for remove or del.)

    There are several free collections. I'm not sure which is the most recently updated. But searching

    "Linux tools for Windows" should find several.
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  4. paul1149
    Posts : 1,025
    Linux Lite 3.2 x64; Windows 7, 8.1
       New #3

    How about a simple DEL command in a CMD window? DEL /S /Q <filename.txt> should hit subfolders and perform without confirmation. Type DEL /? in a CMD window for more options.

    You might want to create a system image and a user file backup before doing a mass delete.
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  6. MilesAhead
    Posts : 5,092
    Windows 7 32 bit
       New #4

    paul1149 said:
    How about a simple DEL command in a CMD window? DEL /S /Q <filename.txt> should hit subfolders and perform without confirmation. Type DEL /? in a CMD window for more options.

    You might want to create a system image and a user file backup before doing a mass delete.
    That's cheating Paul. Too easy.
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  7. paul1149
    Posts : 1,025
    Linux Lite 3.2 x64; Windows 7, 8.1
       New #5

    I like easy. Doesn't happen often enough! :)
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  8. Robert11
    Posts : 542
    Windows 7 64bit
    Thread Starter
       New #6

    For Paul, et al Re Sr. Citizen On Deleting Large Files ?


    Hello Paul.

    Quite a bit on in years now, and frankly not too sharp with this stuff anymore.
    Thanks so much for help; really appreciate it.

    The files, hundreds and hundreds, were downloaded by this CTB Locker trojan.
    Have things cleaned up, sorta, and will try reinstalling from my backups later.

    But would sure like to eliminate these several hundred messages that keep coming up.

    They are apparently done in Notepad.
    The name is: help_restore_files

    Whenever I trys to run your suggestion in a command line, It comes back with a syntax error msg.

    Not too sharp with command line usage, so I am undoubtedly doing somethisng wrong.

    Do I need the .txt as you suggested ?
    Tried with and without, but still get the syntax error.
    Should siat be used with one of those / commands. Iwould laike it to just delete the whole few hundred automatically; just do it all

    Exactly what is the format to use ? e.g., do I use the * ?

    Assume you are dealiang with a not too bright Sr. Citizen ! Whatmight I be entering incorrectly ?

    Any thoughts would be most appreciated.

    Again, thanks for help,
    Bob
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  10. paul1149
    Posts : 1,025
    Linux Lite 3.2 x64; Windows 7, 8.1
       New #7

    You can go to Windows Explorer ("Computer" on the Start Menu), up to the Tools menu, Options, and on the View tab uncheck "hide known file extensions". That will tell you what extension these files have. Whatever it is, you need to enter the file name exactly as it is, without the angle brackets I used.

    Or you can use the wildcard, as in help_restore_files.*

    I would test it out on a small folder with no subfolders, and only then use it on higher level folders. At this point you can enter

    DEL /S /Q help_restore_files.*

    That will hit all subfolders and will not ask before it acts.

    But please back up your files first. A good prog for that is Aomei Backupper.

    Actually, a better command may be Recycle. Not sure if that's a native part of Win7 or if I added it. But if you have it

    Recycle -f help_restore_files.*

    will send the files to the Recycle Bin, so you can restore if something gets messed up.
    Last edited by paul1149; 22 Apr 2015 at 14:43. Reason: Corrected typo in DEL command line
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  11. paul1149
    Posts : 1,025
    Linux Lite 3.2 x64; Windows 7, 8.1
       New #8

    Robert, I corrected a typo in my DEL command line. Also, the Recycle command, while good, doesn't do subfolders.
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  12. Robert11
    Posts : 542
    Windows 7 64bit
    Thread Starter
       New #9

    From OP For Paul


    Hello,

    Seems to have worked.

    Thanks so much for taking the time to help me out.
    Much appreciated.

    Bob
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  13. paul1149
    Posts : 1,025
    Linux Lite 3.2 x64; Windows 7, 8.1
       New #10

    Excellent. Take care.
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