DEL command line

[Poppa Bear]

If I have created a new folder on my C: file and named it: "Odd Bods" for example.

Using the DEL Command Prompt in XP, what is the exact syntax to forcibly delete it?

I have tried by opening the Command Prompt and typing in "CD \" then enter to bring up the cursor "C:\>". Then I have typed: "Del /F Odd Bods" and "enter". The message then comes up; "Are you sure? y/n". I then type: "y" and enter, but the folder is not deleted.

Help!

 

[CCT]

If folder is on desktop:

Start
Run
Enter 'cmd /k' (no quotes)
Enter 'cd\' (will get you the C:\ prompt)
Enter 'cd\Documents and Settings\{your user name}\Desktop'
Enter 'dir /w'


If you can see the item, Enter 'erase [filename]'

del [filename] also works - for a directory (maybe folders too) RD [directory] works


edit: if you do the Start, run, cmd /k thing then type 'help' you'll get a list of the limited MSDOS commands remaining in the poor excuse for DOS XP supports.

For details on those, type, for example, 'help del' and you'll get the possible options.

 

[Poppa Bear]

No success

Hi CCT

I did exactly as you suggested and it came up with the message: "Are you sure <y/n>?" . I typed "Y" and enter but the folder was still there.

 

[CCT]

Checked it out -a folder is, in effect, a directory - use rd [folder name]

 

[Poppa Bear]

Tried the rd [folder name] and got the same result. That is, it recognized the command and the folder and gave me the response: "Are you sure <y/n>?". Once again I typed "Y" and enter but the folder was still there on the desktop.

Maybe it's my OS? I'm using XP Pro with SP3 & all the latest updates for all programs.

Apologies CCT. I had mis-read your message and was using the wrong syntax. My final command read: del rd (name of the folder)... ie the name of the folder without the brackets. It should have simply been: rd (name of the folder)... . I complicated it unnecessarily.

At last success. Is there a list of the different commands to delete different types of files, folders, etc. For example, what is the command to delete a link? Cheers PB

 

[CCT]

'At last success. Is there a list of the different commands to delete different types of files, folders, etc. For example, what is the command to delete a link? Cheers PB'

Not unless someone has created one - by trial and error you will find what works - the shortcuts (lnk's) get deleted with del.

 

[kimsland]

All the Dos commands and examples are here

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_DOS_commands

 

[Poppa Bear]

Link to commands

Many thanks Kimsland,

Have opened the link to the list of commands and have saved and printed it out. PB :wave:

ps How come I can now add a pic like the smiley face? Have I reached some sort of quota with posts? Must say I'm really enjoying being in Techspot. Have never been into forums before.... wish I'd started earlier.

 

[kimsland]

Pretty sure you can add Pics from post count 5
But someone told me it was 15

So now I'm confused