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Delete a directory using batch script
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Hi,
I need a batch script, which has to create a directory, but if the directory already exists, it has to delete it, and create a fresh one. I dont know, what command to be used.
Normally, to check for a file exist, we do like
IF EXIST sample.txt DEL sample.txt, so that we can create a new file.
but, this doesn't work for the directory like if exist <dir name> del <dir name>
could anyone suggest what is the script to be used, to do this?
I need a batch script, which has to create a directory, but if the directory already exists, it has to delete it, and create a fresh one. I dont know, what command to be used.
Normally, to check for a file exist, we do like
IF EXIST sample.txt DEL sample.txt, so that we can create a new file.
but, this doesn't work for the directory like if exist <dir name> del <dir name>
could anyone suggest what is the script to be used, to do this?
are you sure?
what OS?
i just opened up the command prompt and typed
IF EXIST Desktop ECHO hi
my prompt Echo'd out HI
to test i wrote
IF EXIST DirThatDoesNotExist ECHO hi
nothing was echo'd back out!
what OS?
i just opened up the command prompt and typed
IF EXIST Desktop ECHO hi
my prompt Echo'd out HI
to test i wrote
IF EXIST DirThatDoesNotExist ECHO hi
nothing was echo'd back out!
Dont forget to spread the reputation to those that deserve!
DEL will not remove directorys
use RD <dirname> - only works if <dirname> is empty (ie. no files in it)
DELTREE <dirname> - will delete <dirname> and all subdirectorys even if it contains files
use RD <dirname> - only works if <dirname> is empty (ie. no files in it)
DELTREE <dirname> - will delete <dirname> and all subdirectorys even if it contains files
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Originally Posted by Bulldog_466 
DEL will not remove directorys
use RD <dirname> - only works if <dirname> is empty (ie. no files in it)
DELTREE <dirname> - will delete <dirname> and all subdirectorys even if it contains files
Dont forget to spread the reputation to those that deserve!
The answer actually depends on which version of Windows you are using. Also, since this is a batch file, you want to suppress questions like "Do you really want to delete X?", which will really confuse and frighten your end-user.
Here's a batch that should work on all versions of windows for you: redir.bat
Hope this helps.
Here's a batch that should work on all versions of windows for you: redir.bat
@echo off if %1.==. goto usage if exist %1\nul goto deldir goto newdir ::------------------------------------------------ :deldir :: Determine if we are using Windows 2000 or XP ver | find "XP" > nul if %ERRORLEVEL% == 0 goto xp-and-2000 ver | find "2000" > nul if %ERRORLEVEL% == 0 goto xp-and-2000 goto nt-and-older :xp-and-2000 rd /s/q %1 goto newdir :nt-and-older deltree /y %1 ::------------------------------------------------ :newdir md %1 goto end ::------------------------------------------------ :usage echo usage: echo %0 DIRNAME echo. echo Deletes the directory named DIRNAME and everything in it if it exists! echo Then creates a new directory named DIRNAME echo. :end
Hope this helps.
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Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 147
Reputation: 
Solved Threads: 13
Junior Poster
Try rd /s dirToDelete
If you don't want it to ask if you're sure, then
try rd /s /q dirToDelete
Hoppy
If you don't want it to ask if you're sure, then
try rd /s /q dirToDelete
Hoppy
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Originally Posted by Killer_Typo
RD /S will achieve the same as DELTREE
But, from my batch file, it asks me to confirm the delete. Can I somehow force the delete without a question at the command prompt?
It is always great to give a nice, complete example and to be completely ignored not only at the time the example was given, but also a full year later.
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#9 Oct 8th, 2009
Hi there
your answer worked very well indeed.
but i have another question: how can I delete a folder (Cookies) that is found in multiple folders (user1\cookies ; user2\cookies ; ...)
so I need the "rd /q /s cookies" to e executed on different folders.
thanks in advance!
your answer worked very well indeed.
but i have another question: how can I delete a folder (Cookies) that is found in multiple folders (user1\cookies ; user2\cookies ; ...)
so I need the "rd /q /s cookies" to e executed on different folders.
thanks in advance!
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#10 Oct 10th, 2009
Do you mean like
?
rd /q/s C:\DOCUME~1\John\Cookies rd /q/s C:\DOCUME~1\Jill\Cookies rd /q/s C:\DOCUME~1\Johann\Cookies
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