Windows 7: File - Delete from Command Prompt

   Information

This will show you how to permanently delete a File using the DEL or ERASE command from within a command prompt. This can be handy if you cannot delete the file normally.

   Note

While you can run this command in a non-elevated or elevated command prompt, you would get the best results using a elevated command prompt.

   Warning

The file will be deleted immediately and not placed in the Recycle Bin first.

1. Do step 2, 3, or 4 for how you would like to delete your file(s).

2. To Use an Elevated Command Prompt in Windows
NOTE: This will allow you to delete any file(s) on the computer.

A) Open Folder Options, uncheck the Hide extensions for known file types box, and click on OK. (see screenshot below)

B) Open a Elevated command prompt.

C) Go to step 5.

3. To Use a Command Prompt in Windows
NOTE: This will only allow you to delete any file(s) in your user folders.

A) Open Folder Options, uncheck the Hide extensions for known file types box, and click on OK. (see screenshot below)

B) Open a command prompt.

C) Go to step 5.

4. To Use a Command Prompt at Boot
NOTE: This will allow you to delete any file(s) on the computer.

A) Open a command prompt at boot.

B) In the command prompt, type diskpart and press Enter. (see screenshot below)

C) In the command prompt, type list volume and press Enter. (see screenshot below)
NOTE: This will let you see what the drive letter is for the drive that you want to delete the file in since it may not always be the same drive letter that it is in Windows.

D) After making note of the drive letter, type exit and press Enter. (see screenshot below)

E) Go to step 5.

5. Do step 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 for how you would like to delete your file(s).

6. To Delete a Specific File in Command Prompt

A) In the command prompt, type the command below and press enter.
NOTE: Substitute Full Path of File with extension within quotes below with your files's full path and name with the extension included within quotes instead.

Code:

DEL /F /S /Q /A "Full Path of File with extension"

NOTE: For example, if I wanted to delete a text file named File with the file extension .txt on my desktop, I would type this command below.

Code:

DEL /F /S /Q /A "C:\Users\UserName\Desktop\File.txt"

B) Go to step 11.

7. To Delete All Files in a Folder without Confirmation in Command Prompt
NOTE: This will not ask you if it's ok (Y/N) to delete each file when deleting all files in a folder and the folder's subfolders.

A) In the command prompt, type the command below and press enter.
NOTE: Substitute Full Path of Folder within quotes below with the full path of the folder that you want to delete all files in.

Code:

DEL /F /S /Q /A "Full Path of Folder\*"

NOTE: For example, if I wanted to delete all files in my D:\Projects folder and subfolders, I would type this command below.

Code:

DEL /F /S /Q /A "D:\Projects\*"

B) Go to step 11.

8. To Delete All Files in a Folder with Confirmation in Command Prompt
NOTE: This will ask you if it's ok (Y/N) to delete each file when deleting all files in a folder and the folder's subfolders.

A) In the command prompt, type the command below and press enter.
NOTE: Substitute Full Path of Folder within quotes below with the full path of the folder that you want to delete all files in.

Code:

DEL /P /F /S /A "Full Path of Folder\*"

NOTE: For example, if I wanted to delete all files in my D:\Projects folder and subfolders, I would type this command below.

Code:

DEL /P /F /S /A "D:\Projects\*"

B) Go to step 11.

9. To Delete All Files with a Specified File Extension in a Folder without Confirmation in Command Prompt
NOTE: This will not ask you if it's ok (Y/N) to delete each file when deleting all files with a specified file extension in a folder and the folder's subfolders.

A) In the command prompt, type the command below and press enter.
NOTE: Substitute Full Path of Folder within quotes below with the full path of the folder that you want to delete all files in. Substitute extension with the file extension of the type of files that you want to delete in the folder and it's subfolders.

Code:

DEL /F /S /Q /A "Full Path of Folder\*.extension"

NOTE: For example, if I wanted to delete all txt (text) files in my D:\Projects folder and subfolders, I would type this command below.

Code:

DEL /F /S /Q /A "D:\Projects\*.txt"

B) Go to step 11.

10. To Delete All Files with a Specified File Extension in a Folder with Confirmation in Command Prompt
NOTE: This will ask you if it's ok (Y/N) to delete each file when deleting all files with a specified file extension in a folder and the folder's subfolders.

A) In the command prompt, type the command below and press enter.
NOTE: Substitute Full Path of Folder within quotes below with the full path of the folder that you want to delete all files in. Substitute extension with the file extension of the type of files that you want to delete in the folder and it's subfolders.

Code:

DEL /P /F /S /A "Full Path of Folder\*.extension"

NOTE: For example, if I wanted to delete all txt (text) files in my D:\Projects folder and subfolders, I would type this command below.

Code:

DEL /P /F /S /A "D:\Projects\*.txt"

11. The file(s) should now be deleted.

12. Close the command prompt.
NOTE: If you used a command prompt at boot, then also close the System Recovery Options window and restart the computer.