Using PowerShell and CMD to delete complete directories, with examples?
You can use PowerShell and / or cmd.exe to delete complete directories in one go with subdirectories on Windows 11, 10, ...!
Deleting of Directories Preface:
Deleting directories sometimes makes more sense at the command line than with the Microsoft File Explorer, or Quad Explorer , because of the File Filter (wildcard /placeholder) feature, it makes perfect sense. This is not only possible under Windows 11 / 10 / 8.1 / 7. This type of deletion is often used by administrators, especially on Windows Server 2019, 2016, .... .
1.) Deleting the directories from the command prompt (cmd.exe)
In the Windows Command Prompt, you can use directories with the RD command , or known as RMDIR, or if you want to delete the folder C:\Folder1, for example , type the following command:
C:>rmdir C:\Folder1
Do not forget to press Enter.
Here we deleted the directory, if the directory contains no file, or subfolder, it is not a problem.
However, if there are files in the specific folder, you must confirm the deletion and use the "/s" argument / parameter!
Here is a simple example:
C:\Windows\System32>rmdir c:\Folder1
The directory is not empty.
C:\Windows\System32>rmdir c:\Folder1 /s
Do you want to delete "c:\Folder1" (Y/N)? j
C:\Windows\System32>
You can also do this for folders with spaces in the path.
The same command works, but you must enclose the folder name in quotation marks, as shown in the following example.
C:\Windows\System32>rmdir "c:\Folder 2" /s
Do you want to delete "c:\Folder 2" (Y/N)? y
C:\Windows\System32>
If executed correctly, no error message will be displayed!
To clear the directory in quiet mode without being prompted for confirmation, you can use the /Q parameter .
C:\Windows\System32>rmdir "c:\Folder 2" /s /q
2.) Deleting directories using PowerShell!
Even with Powershell you can delete directories and files! The RD RMDIR command can also be used in the powershell console. However, this is not the powershell home-made-directories-delete-command and there is hardly any feedback!
C:\Windows\System32>rmdir "c:\Test Del Folder 2" /s
That would be the correct Powershell command!
Remove-item "C: \Folder 1" and confirm with [Y]
PS C:\Windows\system32> Remove-Item "C:\Folder 1"
Confirm The item at C:\Folder 1 has children and the Recurse parameter was not specified. If you continue, all children will be removed with the item. Are you sure you want to continue?
[Y] Yes [A] Yes to All [N] No [L] No to All [S] Suspend [?] Help (default is "Y"): y
PS C:\Windows\system32>
Here with wildcard (placeholder) function!
Show if the filter works:
Remove-Item "C:\1\*" -filter *New* -whatif
and delete with wildcard (placeholders) Function:
Remove-Item "C:\1\*" -filter *New*
Sub Example 1: C:\PS>remove-item "C:\1\*" -include *.doc -exclude *important*
This command deletes from the "C:\1" directory all microsoft office files with file name extension ".doc" and a name that does not include "important".
Sub Example 2: C:\PS>remove-item -path "C:\1\*" -force
Sub Example 3: C:\PS>get-childitem "C:\1\" -include *.csv -recurse | remove-item
This command deletes all of the TXT files in the "C:\1\" directory and all subdirectories recursively.
PS C:\Windows\system32> Remove-Item "C:\1\*" -Filter *New* -whatif
What if: Performing operation "Remove Directory" on Target "C:\1\New Folder".
What if: Performing operation "Remove Directory" on Target "C:\1\New Folder (2)".
What if: Performing operation "Remove Directory" on Target "C:\1\New Folder (3)".
PS C:\Windows\system32> Remove-Item "C:\1\*" -Filter *New*
PS C:\Windows\system32>
ColorConsole [Version 2.6.1001 ]
Microsoft Windows [Version 6.1.7601]
Copyright (c) 2009 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
C:\Users\Neno>RD /?
Removes (deletes) a directory.
RMDIR [/S] [/Q] [drive:]path
RD [/S] [/Q] [drive:]path
/S
Removes all directories and files in the specified directory
in addition to the directory itself. Used to remove a directory
tree.
/Q
Quiet mode, do not ask if ok to remove a directory tree with /S
C:\Users\Neno>
You can safely use this on the following operating systems: Windows 11, 10 Pro, Enterprise, Home, Windows 8.1, Windows 8, Windows-Server 2019, 2016, 2012, Windows 7 Basic, Professional, Starter, Ultimate and this all for free!
5.) ... The most important commands for handling files / folders in Powershell!
Remove-Item = Remove a folder or file Get-Item = Show a folder or file Set-Item = Change folder or file properties New-Item = Create a new folder or file Get-ChildItem = Show subfolders
There are commands to control the power settings under Windows, it makes sense if you want to change them by batch file on Windows OS Here are a few examples,
Also during the command input you can change the CMD background color by command and the text, here an example The color values can be indicated by two
The solution is simple to disable and enable SmartScreen via CMD BATCH command and command prompt Smart Screen Internet Explorer disable C:\Windows\System32>REG
In Windows you can start programs via AT at a certain time without additional software programs Start the cmd.exe and use the command "AT" in the combination
In Windows you can copy via COPY command without file explorer, files and directories without additional software Start the cmd.exe and use the command
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