Reference number: CH000743

How do I delete a file or folder?

Question:

How do I delete a file or folder?

Answer:

Microsoft Windows 95, 98, ME, NT, 2000, XP users
MS-DOS users
Linux / Unix and variant users
Microsoft Windows 3.X users

Microsoft Windows 95, 98, ME, NT, 2000, XP users

Microsoft 95, 98, ME, NT, 2000, and XP users can delete a folder several different ways, below is a listing of the different methods to delete a folder.

Notice: Users not familiar with Windows should realize that if you delete a folder, it will delete all the files and folders within that directory.

By far the easiest method of deleting files in Microsoft Windows is by locating the file, folder, shortcut, or other object you wish to delete, highlight it, and press the del or delete key on the keyboard. You can browse to the location of the file or folder using either My Computer or Windows Explorer.

If you do not wish to delete a file using the delete key you can also open My Computer or Windows Explorer, locate the file or folder you wish to delete, and click File from the drop down menu and then Delete; or right-click the file or folder you wish to delete and click the delete option from the menu that appears after you have right-clicked the file or folder.

• If you are getting an error in Windows about being unable to delete the file because it is in use by another user or program, see document CH000714 for additional information about this error.

MS-DOS

See the below MS-DOS users section for information about deleting a file or folder in MS-DOS. Additional information about entering MS-DOS can be found on document CHDOS.

MS-DOS users

Files

MS-DOS users can delete files using the del command. See this page to get additional information and help with this command.

Folders

MS-DOS users can delete directories in MS-DOS using the deltree command or rmdir command. See either of these links for additional information about these commands. 

• See document CH000010 for additional information about deleting files in MS-DOS without a prompt or warning.

Linux / Unix and variant users

Files

Linux / Unix users can delete files through the console by using the rm command. See this page for additional information about this command.

Folders

Linux / Unix users can delete folders through the console by using the rmdir command. See this page for additional information about this command.

Like Microsoft Windows, Linux / Unix users can also delete files through the GUI by locating the file and pressing the delete key on the keyboard.

Microsoft Windows 3.X users

File Manager

1. Open File manager
2. Locate the folder or file you wish to delete and click File and Delete.

MS-DOS

See the above MS-DOS users section for information about creating a directory in MS-DOS. Additional information about entering MS-DOS can be found on document CHDOS.

Additional information:

• See our delete definition, directory definition, and/or our folder definition for definitions about each of these terms.