How to delete all files from a specific folder?

Question

I save files in a specific folder at run time. After some time, I want to delete them programmatically. How do I delete all files from a specific folder?

possible duplicate of [how to delete all files and folders in a directory?](http://stackoverflow.com/questions/1288718/how-to-delete-all-files-and-folders-in-a-directory) — Didier Spezia, Sep 06 '12 at 16:28

CloudyMarble · Accepted Answer · 2015-10-19T04:05:29.467

138

string[] filePaths = Directory.GetFiles(@"c:\MyDir\");
foreach (string filePath in filePaths)
File.Delete(filePath);

Or in a single line:

Array.ForEach(Directory.GetFiles(@"c:\MyDir\"), File.Delete);

edited Oct 19 '15 at 04:05

answered Sep 06 '12 at 09:32

CloudyMarble

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23

An even shorter syntax using a method group: `Array.ForEach(Directory.GetFiles(@"c:\MyDir\"), File.Delete);` – Yan Yankowski Sep 11 '13 at 07:44
2

VB: Array.ForEach(Directory.GetFiles(folderPath), Sub(x) File.Delete(x)) – Brent Aug 07 '14 at 15:42
no need to add parameters to.File.Delete?! – BigChief Oct 16 '15 at 21:48
The Path is a parameter – CloudyMarble Oct 19 '15 at 04:05
i am using single line code Array.ForEach(Directory.GetFiles(@"c:\MyDir\"), File.Delete); but when my directory is empty then its provide errors so how can check if there is file or not before this line of code.. – Pragnesh Apr 26 '16 at 12:06
Directory.GetFiles(path).Length > 0 – CloudyMarble Apr 26 '16 at 18:56
double bonus for the Array.ForEach – nate_weldon May 10 '17 at 17:43

score 15 · Answer 2 · answered Sep 06 '12 at 09:33

15

You can do it via FileInfo or DirectoryInfo:

DirectoryInfo di = new DirectoryInfo("TempDir");
di.Delete(true);

And then recreate the directory

answered Sep 06 '12 at 09:33

RvdK

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+1, this is probably the easiest way if you just want to trash the directory entirely, saves looping over every single file. – Arran Sep 06 '12 at 09:56
8

Ok, but if this directory has specific user's permissions, you'll loose them. – Paolo Moretti Sep 06 '12 at 10:00
@PaoloMoretti: true. But I suspect the user created this temp directory himself. – RvdK Sep 06 '12 at 10:10
This should be the best answer! – HGF Aug 08 '17 at 14:38

score 9 · Answer 3 · answered Sep 06 '12 at 09:34

9

System.IO.DirectoryInfo myDirInfo = new DirectoryInfo(myDirPath);

foreach (FileInfo file in myDirInfo.GetFiles())
{
    file.Delete(); 
}
foreach (DirectoryInfo dir in myDirInfo.GetDirectories())
{
    dir.Delete(true); 
}

answered Sep 06 '12 at 09:34

LaGrandMere

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score 5 · Answer 4 · edited Mar 23 '15 at 16:57

5

Add the following namespace,

using System.IO;

and use the Directory class to reach on the specific folder:

string[] fileNames = Directory.GetFiles(@"your directory path");
foreach (string fileName in fileNames)
    File.Delete(fileName);

edited Mar 23 '15 at 16:57

Peter Mortensen

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answered Sep 06 '12 at 09:33

Talha

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score 3 · Answer 5 · answered Sep 06 '12 at 09:33

3

Try this:

foreach (string file in Directory.GetFiles(@"c:\directory\"))
  File.Delete(file);

answered Sep 06 '12 at 09:33

logicnp

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score 0 · Answer 6 · answered Sep 06 '12 at 09:34

0

You can do something like:

Directory directory = new DirectoryInfo(path);
List<FileInfo> fileInfos = directory.EnumerateFiles("*.*", SearchOption.AllDirectories).ToList();
foreach (FileInfo f in fileInfos)
    File.Delete(f.FullName);

answered Sep 06 '12 at 09:34

Findus

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How to delete all files from a specific folder?

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