removing node_modules folder

Question

The problem:

I've created a yeoman project by mistake on my windows box. Via explorer when I try to delete it I get an error saying that the path is too long.

Source too long error

Several Solutions:

But is there a script based solution?

score 23 · Answer 1 · answered May 04 '15 at 05:46

23

You could use rimraf:

npm install -g rimraf
rimraf C:\code\yeoman-foo

answered May 04 '15 at 05:46

Mac

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This is insanely helpful!!! I happened to work on someone else's code base recently & I faced the same issue as the OP. I have been reading various articles & trying different things to delete the node_modules folder on Windows but no avail. Added to my woes, there were nested dependencies. I installed the `rimraf` module as you suggested and ran it. Boy, was I pleasantly shocked to see that it deleted the whole node_modules folder in seconds!!! I am only less crying of joy!!! Thanks a ton!!! – Devner Jul 26 '16 at 09:57

score 10 · Answer 2 · answered Oct 13 '16 at 01:31

10

You should be able to use the force switch. This script recursively removes any node_modules folder using PowerShell 3.

:> ls node_modules -Recurse -Directory | foreach { rm $_ -Recurse -Force }

answered Oct 13 '16 at 01:31

What Would Be Cool

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This is an ideal solution, this will delete node_modules from sub-folders also. i'm just after running it on my dev directory. – Adil H. Raza Mar 05 '19 at 18:01

score 3 · Accepted Answer · edited Dec 18 '17 at 09:21

3

You can write powershell to this effect relying on npm

PS C:\code\yeoman-foo> ls node_modules | foreach {
>> echo $("Deleting module..." + $_.Name)
>> & npm rm $_.Name
>> }
>>

After the above command completes you can remove the folder by the traditional ways...

Go to the parent folder containing the project folder, select it, and SHIFT + DEL

edited Dec 18 '17 at 09:21

Kieren Johnstone

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answered Apr 28 '15 at 09:19

deostroll

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j_quelly · Answer 4 · 2018-05-28T17:13:58.567

1

npm install -g remove-node-modules
cd to root and remove-node-modules
or remove-node-modules path/to/folder

Source:

https://github.com/j-quelly/node-cleanup

edited May 28 '18 at 17:13

answered Feb 18 '16 at 16:49

j_quelly

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Thanks! This does take some time, but IS quicker than deleting from file explorer and doesn't move folder to recycle bin. – BanAnanas Sep 14 '20 at 13:44

score 1 · Answer 5 · answered Feb 25 '17 at 12:51

Easiest way I found so far (no installing or separate programs required) is to just run these commands in the root of your project (next to the node_modules folder):

mkdir temp_dir
robocopy temp_dir node_modules /s /mir
rmdir temp_dir
rmdir node_modules

For convinience you can also put this code in a .bat file and place it in the project root and run it whenever you want to remove the entire node_modules map

score -2 · Answer 6 · answered Mar 04 '20 at 03:12

-2

Try this rmdir node_modules /s /q

answered Mar 04 '20 at 03:12

Stuart Hallows

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What does /s and /q do ? consider explaining ur answer so that others including me can read understand – Shamseer Ahammed Sep 04 '21 at 11:09
@ShamseerAhammed /s means to include folders and subfolders inside the folder. /q means quite mode. – Aravind Prabash Aug 16 '23 at 05:22

removing node_modules folder

The problem:

Several Solutions:

6 Answers6