Deleting files and directories in the Windows Command Prompt (cmd) can be done using specific commands designed for this purpose. Below, I'll explain the commands used for deleting files and directories, along with examples and their outputs.

1. Deleting Files

Using the del Command

The del command is used to delete one or more files from the command line.

Basic Syntax:

del [filename]

Example: To delete a file named example.txt:

del example.txt

Output:

C:\Users\YourUsername>del example.txt

This command will delete example.txt without any confirmation prompt (if the file exists). If the file does not exist, you will see a message indicating that the system cannot find the file.

Deleting Multiple Files

You can also delete multiple files at once by specifying more than one filename or using wildcards.

Example: To delete all .txt files in the current directory:

del *.txt

Output:

C:\Users\YourUsername>del *.txt

This command will delete all text files in the current directory without confirmation.

2. Deleting Directories

Using the rmdir Command

The rmdir (or rd) command is used to delete empty directories. If you want to delete a directory that contains files, you'll need to use the /s option.

Basic Syntax:

rmdir [directory_name]

Example: To delete an empty directory named OldFiles:

rmdir OldFiles

Output:

C:\Users\YourUsername>rmdir OldFiles

This command will remove the OldFiles directory if it is empty. If the directory is not empty, you will see an error message stating that the directory is not empty.

Deleting a Directory and Its Contents

To delete a directory along with all of its contents (including files and subdirectories), use the /s option.

Basic Syntax:

rmdir /s [directory_name]

Example: To delete a directory named OldProjects and all its contents:

rmdir /s OldProjects

Output:

C:\Users\YourUsername>rmdir /s OldProjects
Are you sure (Y/N)?

You will be prompted to confirm the deletion. Typing Y and pressing Enter will delete the directory and all of its contents.

Additional Options for del and rmdir

• Force Deletion: If you want to bypass the confirmation prompt for rmdir, you can use the /q (quiet) option:

  rmdir /s /q OldProjects
  

• Delete Read-Only Files: To delete read-only files using the del command, use the /f option:

  del /f example.txt
  

Summary

In the Windows Command Prompt, files can be deleted using the del command, while directories can be deleted using the rmdir command. Understanding how to delete files and directories effectively allows for efficient file management and organization in the command-line environment. Always be cautious when using these commands, especially with the /s option, as they will permanently delete files and directories without moving them to the Recycle Bin.