Folder - Delete from Command Prompt

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

   Information

This will show you how to permanently delete a Folder in Vista, Windows 7, or Windows 8 using the RD or RMDIR command from within a command prompt.

This can be handy if you cannot delete the folder using the normal methods.

   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 folder will be deleted immediately and not placed in the Recycle Bin first. Deleting a folder using this command will also delete all of it's contents as well as the folder. Be sure to backup anything you want to keep in the folder first.

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





Here's How:
1. Do step 2 or 3 below for where you would like to use a command prompt at.


2. To Use a Elevated Command Prompt in Windows
A) Open an Elevated command prompt in Vista/Windows 7 or Windows 8, and go to step 4 below.
3. To Use a Command Prompt at Boot
A) Open a command prompt at boot in Vista/Windows 7 or Windows 8, and go to step 4 below.

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 folder 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)

4. In the command prompt, type the command below and press enter.
NOTE: Substitute Full Path of Folder within quotes below with your folder's full path within quotes instead.

RD /S /Q "[COLOR=red][B]Full Path of Folder[/B][/COLOR]"

NOTE: For example, if I wanted to delete a folder named Folder on my desktop, I would type this command below.

RD /S /Q "C:\Users\UserName\Desktop\Folder"

5. The folder should now be deleted.

6. 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

---

• How to Delete a File in Windows from the Command Prompt
• Add "Delete Files in Folder" and "Empty Folder" to Context Menu of Folders in Windows
• 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

 

[IggyAZ]

Bringing back memories from 30 years ago.
I thought everyone know that.

DOS RULEZ!

 

[Brink]

Hello Iggy (John ),

Yeah, we've been having a few folks not being able to delete folders normally, so I thought this could help with that. DOS does rule.

 

[Razzputin]

Thank you worked like a charm

 

[karlsnooks]

Guess it's too much to suggest to them:
rd /s /q %userprofile%\desktop\foldername

 

[Brink]

Hello Karl,

For only the C:\User\(user-name) location, that would be fine.

I just used the normal full path version since it would be a better example for all situations. Plus, the %path% may not work so well if a command prompt at boot is used. That's all.

 

[karlsnooks]

Hello Shawn,
I agree.
Karl

 

[faridfaiz]

great

thanks dude.it work 100%

 

[Brink]

You're most welcome Faridfaiz, and welcome to Seven Forums.

 

[baarod]

Hello Iggy (John ),

Yeah, we've been having a few folks not being able to delete folders normally, so I thought this could help with that. DOS does rule.

Arrgh! It's not DOS!!! If I try anything with Int 21h Windows 7 will not only reprimand me but ship me off to Jersey as well...

 

[zungul]

Hi
I tried what you said and most of the contents of the folder was deleted but one subfolder I've got message: "Access is denied".
What I suppose to do to delete this folder ?
Thanks in advance.

 

[Brink]

Hello Zungul,

What's the full path of the folder? I just wanted to make sure that this is not a important Windows system folder that should not be deleted first.

 

[xxxdannyxxx]

Thanks Shawn

Sure this will come in handy

Danny

 

[Brink]

You're welcome Danny.

 

[Keyoung59]

Need Help With Folder

This is the path of the folder I want to delete.

Z:\Kevin\MEGA\JDownloader\Kevin

I just tried this in Command Prompt and I get this message.


I have tried everything to delete this folder and nothing seems to work. I have tried Unlocker, LockHunter. This is the message I get when I try to right click and delete it.

I have also tried sfc/scannow and chkdsk and nothing. This is not the drive the OS is on.



Properties Image Of Folder:


Thanks,

Kevin

 

[Brink]

Hello Kevin,

Did you also try deleting it from a command prompt at boot?

 

[Norp]

I had the same problem Kevin, this is what worked

I had the same problem Kevin and this is what worked for me...

*do not type in the "s below

1. Open the command prompt (cmd.exe)
2. go to the directory that the folder is in...example: I want to delete the folder "C:\Users\Noodle\Downloads\Plumb - Hang On (The Remixes)" so type "cd C:\Users\Noodle\Downloads"
3. at this point you should be at C:\Users\Noodle\Downloads in the cmd window. Now type in "dir /a /x /p"
4. You will get a list of the directories in the folder and the one I'm interested in was

07/04/2010 19:08 <DIR> PLUMB-~1 Plumb - Hang On (The Remixes)

5. I ran the cmd.exe as admin (when it opens your prompt should be "c:\windows\system 32>"). Now I typed in...

rd /s /q "C:\Users\Noodle\Downloads\PLUMB-~1" (this time leave the "s in)

6. check to make sure the folder is deleted and you should be done.

From my understanding and I'm not a guru at this, there is naming issue and although the folder should have been named "Plumb - Hang On (The Remixes)", it is recognized as "PLUMB-~1". Anyways, I had the same problem and this is what worked for me. I hope this helps and good luck.

Norp

PS the example I used, I patched together from different sites that I used to figure this out.

 

[Keyoung59]

@Shawn Yes I did.

@Norp Didn't work.

I just went ahead and copied files to a different drive and then formatted the drive. Everything is good now.

Thanks Again,

Kevin

 

[Brink]

Kevin,

I'm happy to hear that you got it sorted.

 

[fishcad]

Access to file denied

I can get to the directory I want to delete but I get a message that access is denied when I try to delete either folders or files. This is happening with 5 folders of left-over update stuff.