Delete all files/folders from within a directory

Question

I have navigated to the desired folder in my command window and I would like to delete all files and folders within the specific directory where I am currently located. I do not want to delete any files/folders outside of this directory.

How can I go about achieving this?

damn I even answered that one @pomsky :D – Rinzwind Sep 17 '17 at 14:36 — Rinzwind, Sep 17 '17 at 14:36

score 10 · Answer 1 · answered Sep 17 '17 at 14:36

10

rm -r /path/to/dir/*

- r is for deleting also subdirectories
* is for selecting all the files in the directory

answered Sep 17 '17 at 14:36

Dark Sinus

346

1

This is the safest answer. – heynnema Sep 17 '17 at 15:13
how would this deal with sub-folders inside /path/to/dir/ ? – Kamaradski Jul 25 '19 at 11:47

George Udosen · Answer 2 · 2017-09-17T15:19:35.637

4

Use the command:

rm -rf *

So far your in the desired folder that should remove all that's there.

-r: recursive or move into any directory in that location

-f: ignore nonexistent files and arguments, never prompt

*: all the contents of that location

edited Sep 17 '17 at 15:19

answered Sep 17 '17 at 14:33

George Udosen

36,677

1

Your second example is potentially dangerous, 'cause if they place a space between the . and the /, or leave out the ., they'll wipe out root. – heynnema Sep 17 '17 at 15:12

Delete all files/folders from within a directory

2 Answers2