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Syntax
Windows 95, 98, and ME syntax
Deletes one or more files.
DEL [drive:][path]filename [/P]
ERASE [drive:][path]filename [/P]
| [drive:][path]filename |
Specifies the file(s) to delete.
Specify multiple files by using wildcards. |
| /P |
Prompts for confirmation before deleting each file. |
Windows 2000 and
Windows XP syntax
Deletes one or more files.
DEL [/P] [/F] [/S] [/Q] [/A[[:]attributes]] names
ERASE [/P] [/F] [/S] [/Q] [/A[[:]attributes]] names
| names |
Specifies a list of one or more files or directories.
Wildcards may be used to delete multiple files. If a directory is specified, all files within
the directory will be deleted. |
| /P |
Prompts for confirmation before deleting each file. |
| /F |
Force deleting of read-only files. |
| /S |
Delete specified files from all subdirectories. |
| /Q |
Quiet mode, do not ask if ok to delete on global wildcard |
| /A |
Selects files to delete based on attributes |
| attributes |
R Read-only files S System files
H Hidden files A Files ready for archiving
- Prefix meaning not
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If Command Extensions are enabled DEL and ERASE change as follows:
The display semantics of the /S switch are reversed in that it shows
you only the files that are deleted, not the ones it could not find.
Windows 2000 and
Windows XP recovery console syntax
Deletes one file.
del [drive:][path]filename
delete [drive:][path]filename
[drive:][path]filenameSpecifies the file to delete.
Delete only operates within the system directories of the current Windows installation, removable media, the root directory of any hard disk partition, or the local installation sources.
Del and delete do not support replaceable parameters (wild cards).
Examples
Notice: Users who are running Microsoft
Windows 95 and are used to deleted items going to the recycle
bin need to keep in mind that deleting files from MS-DOS does
not send files to the recycle bin.
del test.tmp = Deletes the test.tmp in the directory that you
currently are in, if the file exists.
del c:\windows\test.tmp = Delete the c:\windows\test.tmp in the windows directory
if it exists.
del c:\windows\temp\*.* = (* is for wild character(s)) *.* indicates that you would
like to delete all files in the c:\windows\temp directory.
del c:\windows\temp\?est.tmp = (? is a single wild character for one letter) This
command would delete any file ending with est.tmp such as pest.tmp or
zest.tmp...
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