File - Delete from Command Prompt

How to Delete a File in Windows from the Command Prompt​

   Information

This tutorial will show you how to permanently delete a File in Vista, Windows 7, or Windows 8 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.

EXAMPLE: DEL and ERASE Command
NOTE: You can use either the DEL or ERASE command in the command prompt. They are the same command.





Here's How:
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 an Elevated command prompt in Vista/Windows 7 or Windows 8, and go to step 5 below.
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 in Vista/Windows 7 or Windows 8, and go to step 5 below.
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 in Vista/Windows 7 or Windows 8.

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, press Enter, and go to step 5 below. (see screenshot below)

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, press Enter, and go to step 11 below.

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.

DEL /F /S /Q /A "[COLOR=red][B]Full Path of File with extension[/B][/COLOR]"

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.

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

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, press Enter, and go to step 11 below.

NOTE: Substitute Full Path of Folder within quotes below with the full path of the folder that you want to delete all files in.

DEL /F /S /Q /A "[COLOR=red][B]Full Path of Folder[/B][/COLOR]\*"

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

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

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, press Enter, and go to step 11 below.

NOTE: Substitute Full Path of Folder within quotes below with the full path of the folder that you want to delete all files in.

DEL /P /F /S /A "[COLOR=red][B]Full Path of Folder[/B][/COLOR]\*"

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

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

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, press Enter, and go to step 11 below.

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.

DEL /F /S /Q /A "[COLOR=red][B]Full Path of Folder[/B][/COLOR]\*.[B][COLOR=red]extension[/COLOR][/B]"

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.

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

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, press Enter, and go to step 11 below.

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.

DEL /P /F /S /A "[COLOR=red][B]Full Path of Folder[/B][/COLOR]\*.[B][COLOR=red]extension[/COLOR][/B]"

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.

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.

That's it,
Shawn

Related Tutorials

---

• Add "Delete Files in Folder" and "Empty Folder" to Context Menu of Folders in Windows
• How to Delete a Folder in Windows from the Command Prompt
• How to Open a Command Prompt at Startup in Windows 7
• How to Open a Elevated Command Prompt in Windows 7
• How to Open a Command Prompt in Windows 7
• How to Hide or Unhide a File or Folder in Windows 7
• How to Rename a File and Folder from the Command Prompt
• How to Delete an "Undeletable" File

 

[Dinesh]

Hi Shawn, nice tutorial. But could you please explain why we need the /F /Q /A command?
What does it stand for?

 

[Brink]

Hello Dinesh,

You can see a list and complete explanation of the switches in the example screenshot, but it's just to cover all bases to help make sure that the file is deleted.

/F Force deleting of read-only files.
/Q Quiet mode, do not ask if ok to delete
/A Allows file with set attributes (ex: hidden files) to be deleted

 

[Dinesh]

Oh that's nice. Thanks.

 

[Brink]

You're welcome.

 

[Brink]

Updated to include more options.

 

[micass1949]

Sometime it is not possible to erase files even in cmd window while explorer.exe is active. EndTask explorer.exe solves this problem then restart after erasing!!

 

[Manner]

Thanks...

It works great for me. I've search for this solution for a few days. Because I don't want to install any third party software, so this is just great...

 

[grizzlyadamz]

So, just a heads up: that /Q modifier can really mess you up.
Just managed to delete 4 seconds worth of my C:\ drive by accidentally club-handing the \ & ↵ keys.
Wound up entering:
<DEL /F /S /Q /A "C:\>
This isn't so good.

Unless it's really necessary, (I'm guessing if you want to delete a truckload of files or something), you're probably better off NOT including that one.

 

[Brink]

Sorry to hear that grizzlyadaz, but yeah it's something you gotta be careful with.

 

[grizzlyadamz]

Heh, aah, well it's kinda funny really. You explained what the switches did, I got the picture I was playing with fire.
Just didn't anticipate I'd faceplant at the worst possible time.
Figured I'd try and get a warning out.


But, I CAN still access my restore points, so it's looking like more of an inconvenience than a loss anyway.
So, I dunno, I guess in spite of my misfortune at the moment, thanks for making the guide anyway. The net effect is vastly, vastly positive, so just keep that in mind.
Guys like you make the internet a great (if potentially dangerous) resource.

 

[Brink]

No problem. I'm just glad you were able to recover.

 

[chow]

need help in command prompt

hi,

can i know how to delete specific file extensions in whole of computer irrespective of number of drives without asking confirmation for deletion and also including hidden , read only type files?

For example , say i need to delete an .jpg file which is present in say all drives with read only or hidden property. please help

main points is :
1) need to delete particular file extension.
2) need to delete from whole computer permanently without asking confirmation.

 

[Brink]

Hello Chow, and welcome to Ten Forums.

You could use the command below in an elevated command prompt, but you'll need to repeat it for each specific drive letter. Substitute C in the command for the drive letter.

DEL /F /S /Q /A "C:\*.jpg"

 

[chow]

Hi Brink,

DEL /F /S /Q /A "C:\*.jpg"

above command works but as you mentioned , i need to repeat for all drives.

I have a situation where I will be not knowing the number of drives and their Letters, so is there any command to delete from all drives of a computer?

 

[Brink]

Not that I know of, but you could use "DiskPart" with "List Volume" to see the drive letters.

 

[tmd63]

I was trying to use the DEL command within a batch file. But how do I get the command to delete and not display either the command and the resulting files that are found. Echo Off does not appear to work.
I used

 [USER=353699]echo[/USER] OFF
DEL /S /Q *.bak
ECHO bak files Deleted
DEL /S /Q *.prjpcb.zip
ECHO Project History Zips Deleted

But this shows the files being found and deleted. I just want to show the ECHO items only and not all the files!