How do I delete a file or folder?
Question
How do I delete a file or folder?
Answer
Microsoft Windows 95 and above users
MS-DOS
and Windows command line users
Linux / Unix and variant users
Microsoft Windows 3.X users
Microsoft Windows 95 and above users
Microsoft Windows users can delete a folder several different ways, below is a listing of the different methods to delete a folder.
Note: 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.
Windows command line
See the below MS-DOS users section for information about deleting a file or folder at the Windows command line.
MS-DOS and Windows command line 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.
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
- Open File manager
- 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.