How to Delete a Directory in Linux in 2023 (4 Methods)

Linux is strikingly completely different from the Windows working system. For instance, if you wish to delete a folder in Windows, you’ll be able to merely right-click on it and delete it. However, issues will not be that easy in Linux. Deleting a listing or folder in Linux may be achieved through the graphical consumer interface in addition to the command line interface. If you’re unsure how to delete a listing in Linux, we now have ready a easy but environment friendly information for you. In this text, we’ll present each the GUI and the CLI strategies to delete directories in Linux.

Remove a Directory in Linux (2023)

Folders in Linux are often called directories. And on this planet of Linux, every part is handled as a file, even a listing. Let us now see how to delete a listing in Linux using 4 alternative ways – one GUI and three CLI.

How to Delete a Directory in Linux (GUI Method)

This methodology of deleting information is simple and best suited to customers who’ve newly migrated to Linux. It can work on any distribution, supplied a “Desktop Environment” and file supervisor is put in on the pc. In this text, we’re using Ubuntu 20.04 LTS with Gnome desktop setting and Nautilus file supervisor. Here’s the way it works:

1. First, open any file supervisor of your alternative and navigate to the trail the place you need to delete the listing.

2. Select the folder(s) you need to delete and press the “Delete” button on the keyboard. Or, it’s also possible to right-click on the chosen folder and choose “Move to Trash” from the context menu.

3. All deleted information and directories in Linux will not be deleted completely however moved to a particular location often called Trash, which has similarities to Recycle Bin in Windows.

4. To completely delete a listing in Linux, choose it and press “Shift + Delete” on the keyboard. It will open a immediate whether or not you need to delete it completely or not. Click on “Delete” within the dialogue field once more.

Delete a Directory in Linux through the Command Line

Doing any activity using the command line is quicker with many choices than the GUI methodology. Also, the CLI methodology deletes the information and folders completely. Here, we’ll present three instructions to delete a listing in Linux that comes preinstalled in each Linux Distribution.

Delete Directory Using the rmdir Command

The rmdir command is usually used to delete empty directories, however will also be used to delete non-empty ones. The command doesn’t have a ton of options and choices but it surely will get the job achieved. The common syntax of the command is as follows:

rmdir <choices> <directory_name>

Some of the choices that the rmdir command can take are:

Delete Empty Directory in Linux

To delete an empty listing in Linux, use the next command:

rmdir <directory_name>

Here, on this instance, since we get no output, this implies the command obtained efficiently executed and the listing has been deleted.

Delete Non-Empty Directory in Linux

When you’ll attempt to delete a non-empty listing using the rmdir command, you’re going to get the next error:

rmdir: didn't take away '<directory_name>': Directory not empty

To delete a non-empty listing in Linux, use the next command:

rmdir --ignore-fail-on-non-empty <directory_name>

Delete Directory Using the rm Command

The rm command is a robust instrument that may delete each information in addition to directories whereas offering many nice options. The primary syntax of the command is:

rm <choices> <file_name/directory_name>

Some of the choices which the command can take are:

Delete Empty Directories

To delete empty directories in Linux, use the -d flag with the command as proven beneath:

rm -d <directory_name>

Delete Non-Empty Directory

When deleting non-empty contents, it may be very harmful as some important information might get deleted. So, be further cautious when deleting non-empty directories. To delete a listing with all its contents, use the -r flag with the command as proven beneath:

rm -r <directory_name>

Force Delete Directories in Linux

The rm command offers a immediate, by default, when deleting the write-protected information and directories. Press both 'y' or 'n' relying upon your alternative. To bypass the immediate, we use the -f flag as proven beneath:

rm -rf <directory_name>

This command can show to be fairly disastrous if executed unintentionally within the root listing.

Prompt Before Deleting Folders in Linux

When deleting a number of information, use the -i flag with the rm command to get a immediate earlier than every file as proven beneath:

rm -ri <directory_name>

Delete Directories Using the discover Command

Delete Empty Directory in Linux

You also can delete folders using the discover command with the -delete flag as proven beneath:

discover <path_to_search> -type d -name "directory_name" -delete

This command will search for the empty listing specified by the parameter <directory_name> within the given path and delete them.

Delete Non-Empty Directories

To delete non-empty directories using the discover command, use the next syntax:

discover <path_to_search> -type d -name "directory_name" -exec rm -r {} +

Understanding the above syntax:

In the above syntax, the discover command appears for directories matching with the <directory_name> within the <path_to_search> after which the -exec flag will cross the searched gadgets to the rm command, which can delete the listing using the -r flag.

Frequently Asked Questions

Delete Files and Directories Using Linux Commands

Deleting directories/information in Linux is a quite simple activity but a vital one for customers of every kind. Here, we now have proven two methods to delete folders in Linux and we hope this text has given you an excellent understanding of the 2 strategies and the instructions. Do tell us within the feedback in case of any points.