How to delete 8 million files

[MichaelAngelo68]

I'm not exaggerating.

Apparently some Window Media Player service went beserk (probably over some time), and has created eight million files in .....\LocalMLS

Select this in any explorer or explorer alternate, click delete, and wait. For a very long time.
Use DOS CMD prompt, navigate to the directory, type either RMDIR /s or DEL *.JPG, and wait. For a very long time.

Days - and, as far as I can tell, not much useful has happened.

It's possible that these commands have to first make sense of the directory, then act on it.
Doesn't seem likely that anything is going to make sense of this.

I've looked for a utility (or command) that sort of acts like an axe (or a sledgehammer), but I've come up empty.

Thoughts are welcome.

MichaelAngelo

 

[strollin]

If it truly is taking days to delete that many files, it would be faster to backup the system (not those files), format, re-install OS then restore data files.

 

[JDobbsy1987]

Hi and Welcome to SevenForums,

It seems like you have attempted to do it a couple of ways in Windows... if you are familiar with Linux you could try a Linux Live CD and try deleting the files through that?

I have found that when Linux deletes something it's pretty quick via command line.
Linux Live CD's - The LiveCD List

Regards,
Jamie

 

[dsperber]

I'm not exaggerating.

Apparently some Window Media Player service went beserk (probably over some time), and has created eight million files in .....\LocalMLS

Select this in any explorer or explorer alternate, click delete, and wait. For a very long time.
Use DOS CMD prompt, navigate to the directory, type either RMDIR /s or DEL *.JPG, and wait. For a very long time.

Did you click DELETE, or SHIFT+DELETE??

If you just click DELETE Windows will want to put the file in the recycle bin, for possible resurrection. Eventually, if you "empty trash" the files will truly be vaporized from the recycle bin.

If you instead use SHIFT+DELETE then the files are instantly vaporized, bypassing the recycle bin completely. Permanent and instant delete.

If you really want to get rid of everything in this \LocalMLS folder, I'd use SHIFT+DELETE.

So which was it??

 

[MichaelAngelo68]

I understand the difference, and the performance implications of each.

In this case, I don't get far enough to choose between DEL and SHIFT-DEL

Windows has to gather up information about eight million files before it can get to the "Do you want to delete all these files? Well, do you?" prompt.

Thanks for responding.

MichaelAngelo

 

[Alejandro85]

Windows has to gather up information about eight million files before it can get to the "Do you want to delete all these files? Well, do you?" prompt.

It's the normal behavior of Windows Explorer, it sort of "counts" the files before even begin to delete anything. Del vs Shift+Del is an Explorer-only thing too. Also, Explorer is terribly slow for anything of any volume, so 8 millions files will make it crawl like never before!

Really, you don't want to use Explorer.

I think a command prompt is the best choice here. It runs silently and don`t gives any clues about progress but it just does its thing. With such an amount of files however, it will take ages no matter what you do. Leaving it overnight seems to be the best option.

 

[lehnerus2000]

Fancy (non-free) imaging programs might allow you to back up all of your drive except that folder.

If so, you could simply:

• Create a backup image
• "Nuke" the partition
• Restore your backup image

 

[logicearth]

Delete the root folder from command prompt, not the individual files.

 

[JDobbsy1987]

Is booting from a Live CD not an option as per my note #3 ?

 

[Tookeri]

There's a thread were they've done some testing and comparing. The preferred way in a command prompt to avoid screen output:

del /f/s/q foldername > nul

Mass deleting files in Windows - Super User

 

[sgage]

Let me reiterate what JDobbsy has said - fire up a Linux LiveCD, and get 'er done.

 

[MichaelAngelo68]

I got Ubuntu up on my machine. I was a stranger in a very strange land.
I'm reading about reallllllly basic Linux commands. Traveling this weekend, won't be back 'til Monday.

I'm liking the Linux option more and more. I just need to be able to run three or four simple commands.
For example, MOUNT

The backup/restore option is also viable, assuming I could get the backup to skip the problem directory.

Another idea occurred - is the Windows directory sacred? Could I copy the Windows directory, excluding the problem directory, then do a double rename? I've seen posts here and there about "Can't do [whatever] with WINDOWS.OLD"


I'm impressed by the generosity of the people on this forum. Be patient with me.

MichaelAngelo

 

[Berton]

The Windows Folder is the Operating System along with a couple of others, I find it best to leave it alone. The Windows.old Folder is where Windows files from the previous install get moved to when reinstalling but not always with a 'clean' install. I haven't had many problems removing it but I make sure to get my data first such as Documents, Pictures, Music, Videos, Favorites, Contacts, etc., first.

 

[MichaelAngelo68]

Progress report

I've tried Ubuntu (and Knoppix).
Somewhere there is a sign that reads: You must be this smart to run Linux.
Regrettably, I'm not that smart.

I looked for a KILLDIR program. There was one, but it doesn't work anymore. Long filenames, NTFS, dunno. Maybe it was needed once but no longer.

I thought about backup/restore.

Ultimately, about 48 hours ago, I issued a remove directory command from a CMD prompt, and it's working away. Now down to about four (4) million files. Another couple of days and either this will be over with, or some other catastrophe will occur. If that's what it takes, that's OK - I've had this problem for far longer than four or five days.

Many, many thanks to all who responded. The responses were thoughtful and useful (well, they would have been if only I were smarter).

MichaelAngelo