How to Use CMD Delete File/Folder [Windows 11 Applicable]

Windows Command Prompt Overview The Windows Command Prompt, often referred to as "Cmd" or "Command Prompt," is a terminal application used in Microsoft Windows operating systems for executing commands and managing files. It provides a text-based interface where users can type in commands to perform various tasks, such as creating directories, navigating through the file system, executing programs, and managing system settings. Launched by typing "cmd" in the Start menu search bar or by using the Win + R keyboard shortcut followed by "cmd," the Command Prompt has been a fundamental tool for power users and system administrators since its inception. The interface displays a black window with white text, where users can interact with the operating system using a set of predefined commands. Some key features and functions of the Windows Command Prompt include: 1. File Management: Users can create, rename, move, copy, and delete files and directories using commands like `mkdir`, `ren`, `move`, `copy`, and `del`. 2. Directory Navigation: With commands like `cd` (change directory) and `dir` (directory listing), users can traverse through the file structure and view contents. 3. System Information: You can retrieve information about the system, such as version, architecture, and memory usage with commands like `systeminfo`, `ipconfig`, and `tasklist`. 4. Executing Programs: Users can run executable files or scripts directly from the command line by specifying their paths. 5. Batch Processing: By creating batch files (files with a `.bat` extension), users can group multiple commands together and execute them sequentially, simplifying repetitive tasks. 6. Command History: The Command Prompt keeps a history of previously entered commands, which can be accessed using the up and down arrow keys. 7. Third-Party Utilities: Many third-party tools and utilities have command-line interfaces that can be used within the Command Prompt for advanced functionality. While the Command Prompt has been around for a long time, Microsoft introduced a more modern terminal application called "Windows Terminal" in recent years, which includes support for multiple tabs, themes, and the ability to run PowerShell and other shells within the same window. However, the traditional Command Prompt remains a useful tool for many users due to its simplicity and compatibility with legacy applications.

What is Command Prompt? It is a command-line interpreter application, commonly referred to as cmd.exe or cmd. Exclusive to the Windows operating system, it serves as a powerful utility that enables users to perform various advanced operations and troubleshoot Windows-related issues.

The Command Prompt is operational, allowing you to handle tasks such as removing USB viruses via CMD or activating Windows using CMD. It also enables swift deletion of files and folders using the 'del' and 'rmdir' commands, particularly when dealing with multiple items. In this detailed tutorial, we'll guide you on how to use cmd to delete files.

First, you can watch a video tutorial that will assist you in understanding how to use Command Prompt to delete files. We have summarized the key points for your reference:

• 00:15 How to open Command Prompt
• 00:27 Use the del command to delete files
• 01:56 Use the del command to delete folders

How to Use CMD to Delete a File Step by Step

First off, you should know that using the Command Prompt (cmd) to delete files isn't the same as sending them to the Windows Recycle Bin. You can easily restore files from the Recycle Bin folder, but it's not as straightforward to recover files deleted via cmd without a third-party recovery software. So, be cautious when using cmd to delete files and make sure they're no longer needed. Let's first learn how to open the Command Prompt.

How to Launch the Command Prompt in Windows 11/10

We will guide you on the simplest method to open the Command Prompt on Windows.

Step 1. Click "Start", and you'll see the search box.

Step 2. Type in cmd.

Step 3. Right-click on cmd and select "Run as Administrator".

Step 4. You can now use Command Prompt to delete files.

How to Use CMD to Delete a File with the 'del' Command

Once you've learned how to launch the Command Prompt, you can input command lines. Follow the tutorial and enter the appropriate command lines to erase files.

Step 1. Type in del followed by a space.

Step 2. Next, type the path for each file you want to delete, making sure to add spaces to separate each file name.

Step 3. Ensure you enter the correct path and press the Enter key.

How to Use CMD to Delete Folders with rmdir

To delete folders using the Command Prompt on your computer, you'll need a different command. Please continue reading and follow these steps:

Step 1. Type in rmdir followed by a space.

Step 2. Next, type the path for each folder you wish to delete.

Step 3. Ensure you enter the correct path and press the Enter key.

Recover Deleted Files/Folders from CMD using the File Recovery Tool

It's possible that you might accidentally delete important files and folders, and you might not know how to recover permanently deleted files. You can effortlessly retrieve these vital items using a tool like Data Recovery Wizard.

Whether you delete files using PowerShell or the Command Prompt, the Data Recovery Wizard tool can effortlessly help you recover deleted files. This professional recovery solution is also user-friendly for home users.

You don't need to worry about how to recover deleted videos, photos, music, emails, or documents. With the assistance of Data Recovery Wizard, you can ensure that you no longer have to deal with the hassle of data loss.

It's also a handy tool that lets you recover deleted files and folders in just three steps.

Step 1. Launch the Data Recovery Wizard tool. Select the drive where you lost your files and initiate the scanning process. This software enables you to recover lost data from various devices, including HDD, SSD, USB drive, SD card, pen drive, camera, and so on.

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Step 2. Browse the complete scan results. You can select the file type you need by clicking on the file type filter. The data recovery software supports over 1000 file types, including photos, videos, documents, emails, audio files, and many more.

Step 3. Select the files you wish to preview. Click "Recover" and choose a storage location to save the retrieved data.

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Aside from deleting files using Command Prompt, there are numerous other tasks that cmd can perform on Windows. For instance, if you're unable to locate a file and discover that it's hidden, you can actually use cmd to show hidden files.

When using a computer or laptop, if you need to recover deleted videos, photos, or files, promptly download the tool Data Recovery Wizard. With just one click, you can retrieve your lost files.

Frequently Asked Questions About Deleting Files Using Command Prompt

We have provided a list of additional questions and answers here:

What is the delete command in CMD?

To delete files and folders using the Command Prompt, you'll require the 'del' command and 'rmdir' command. Among these, the 'del' command is the most frequently used one to remove single or multiple files.

To delete corrupted files using the Command Prompt in Windows, follow these steps: 1. **Open Command Prompt as Administrator:** - Press `Win + X` on your keyboard and choose "Command Prompt (Admin)" or "Windows PowerShell (Admin)" from the menu. 2. **Navigate to the folder containing the corrupted file:** - Type `cd /d path\to\folder` and replace `path\to\folder` with the actual path of the folder where the corrupted file is located. Press Enter. 3. **List all files in the folder:** - Type `dir /a` and press Enter. This will show all files, including hidden ones. 4. **Identify the corrupted file:** - Look for the filename in the list. If you're not sure which one is corrupted, you might need to use additional tools or methods to confirm the corruption. 5. **Delete the corrupted file:** - Once you've identified the file, type `del filename.ext` and replace `filename.ext` with the actual name and extension of the corrupted file. Press Enter. 6. **If the file is in use:** - Sometimes, the file might be in use by another process, preventing deletion. In this case, you can try restarting your computer and then immediately opening Command Prompt as Administrator to attempt the deletion again. 7. **Force delete the file (if necessary):** - If the file still won't delete, you can use the `del` command with the `/f` flag to force delete it. Type `del /f filename.ext` and press Enter. Remember that deleting files without proper backup can lead to data loss. Always ensure you have a backup or are aware of the consequences before deleting any files.

When you encounter difficulty in deleting corrupted files normally, you can attempt to delete them using the Command Prompt.

1. Click "Start," and you'll see the search box. 2. Type in cmd. 3. Right-click on cmd and select "Run as Administrator." 4. Type the following command: Del /F /Q /A, and then add the path of the corrupted files. 5. Press the Enter key.

To delete multiple files using the Command Prompt in Windows, follow these steps: 1. Open the Command Prompt: - Press `Win + R` to open the Run dialog box. - Type `cmd` and press Enter. 2. Navigate to the folder containing the files you want to delete: - Use the `cd` (change directory) command followed by the path of the folder. - For example: `cd C:\Users\YourUsername\Desktop\MyFolder` - Press Enter. 3. Delete multiple files using a wildcard: - You can use the `del` (delete) command with a wildcard (*) to delete files based on a pattern. - For instance, if you want to delete all files with a `.txt` extension, type: `del *.txt` - Press Enter. 4. Force deletion of read-only files (if needed): - If any of the files are read-only, you'll need to add the `/F` switch to force the deletion. - For example: `del /F *.txt` 5. Confirm the action: - Depending on your system settings, you might be prompted to confirm each file deletion or the operation as a whole. Type `Y` and press Enter to proceed with the deletion. Remember that deleting files using the Command Prompt doesn't send them to the Recycle Bin, so they're permanently removed unless you have a backup or data recovery tool.

You can delete a single file or multiple files using the 'del' command.

1. Type "del" followed by a space. 2. Next, enter the path for each file you want to delete, adding a space between each file name. 3. Verify that you have typed the correct paths and press the Enter key.

How to delete all files and folders using the command prompt?

You can utilize the Command Prompt (cmd) to delete all files and folders by using the 'del' command along with the '/S' flag. This flag instructs the Command Prompt to remove all files from all subdirectories.