In this remove or delete directories and files Linux tutorial guide, you will learn how to remove empty directories and non empty directories linux using the command line. And as well as how to remove/file files linux using the command line.
How to Remove All Files and Directories Using Linux Terminal
use the rm, unlink, and rmdir commands to remove or delete all files and directories in Linux and without confirmation.
- To Remove All Files From the Directory in Linux
- remove a single file in linux
- remove multiple files at once in linux
- How to Delete Directory in Linux
- Remove empty directory linux
- Remove non-empty directory Linux
- Remove multiple directories linux
To Remove All Files From the Directory in Linux
If you want to remove (or delete) a file in Linux from the command line. So, you can use the rm (remove) or unlink command.
Note that, The unlink command allows you to delete only a single file, while with rm you can delete multiple files at once.
Remove a single file in linux
You can use the rm and unlink command to delete single file in linux. See the uses of rm and unlink command given below:
unlink filename
rm filename
If the file is write-protected, you will be prompted for confirmation on your terminal or command prompt, as shown below.
rm: remove write-protected regular empty file 'filename'?
Note that, Otherwise, if the file is not write-protected, it will be deleted without prompting.
Remove multiple files at once in linux
You can use the rm command to remove multiple file in linux. See the uses of rm command with multiple options, as shown below:
- To delete multiple files at once using
rmcommand:
rm filename1 filename2 filename3
- Wildcard (*) and regular expansions to delete files
If you want to remove all .txt files in the current directory, use the following command:
rm *.pdf
- Delete file with confirmation
You can use the rm with the -i option to confirm each file before deleting it:
rm -i filename(s)
- Delete files in linux without confirmation
You can use the rm with the -f option to without prompting even:
rm -f filename(s)
How to Delete Directory in Linux
If you want to remove (or delete) a direcotories in Linux from the command line. So, you can use the rmdir and rm
Remove empty directory linux
If you want to delete an empty directory in linux. So, you can use rmdir or rm -d command, as shown below:
rm -d dirname rmdir dirname
Remove non empty directory linux
If you want to remove non empty directory in linux. So, you can use with the, as shown below:-r (recursive) option
rm -r dirname
- Delete non empty directory linux without prompt
To delete non-empty directories and all the files without being prompted, use rm with the -r (recursive) and -f options:
rm -rf dirname
- Delete non empty directory linux without prompt
To delete non-empty directories and all the files without being prompted, use rm with the -r (recursive) and -f options:
rm -rf dirname
Remove multiple directories linux
If you want to delete multiple directories at once in linux. So, you can use the rm -r command, as shown below:
rm -r dirname1 dirname2 dirname3
Conclusion
In this tutorial guide, you have learned how to use the Linux rm, rmdir and unlink commands to remove or delete files and directories in linux. And as well as how to remove or delete empty and non empty directories in linux.
