Git - how delete file from remote repository

Question

How can I delete a file from a remote git repository? I have a file that I just deleted from a local repository, and I want to delete it from its corresponding remote repository.

score 139 · Accepted Answer · answered Mar 14 '12 at 11:43

139

If you deleted a file from the working tree, then commit the deletion:

git commit -a -m "A file was deleted"

And push your commit upstream:

git push

answered Mar 14 '12 at 11:43

jabal

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or `git commit -am "A file was deleted"` – Malloc Feb 26 '13 at 13:20
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What about removing it from a remote source? In my case I'd deleted the local files but also added them to the git ignore list at the same time, so when I pushed the commit over the remote files remained in the repo as they weren't being tracked any more. – Nathan Hornby May 14 '14 at 09:14
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Before removing any unwanted files, ensure they are not listed in the `.gitignore`. Now move or delete the files out of your source tree that you no longer want on your branch. Then perform: `git add .`, `git status` (to review), `git commit -m "removed files X,Y,Z"`, and then add them back to your `.gitignore` so they never creep into your source ever again. – ecoe Oct 19 '16 at 00:35

score 54 · Answer 2 · edited Dec 12 '13 at 07:27

54

Use commands :

git rm /path to file name /

followed by

git commit -m "Your Comment"

git push

your files will get deleted from the repository

edited Dec 12 '13 at 07:27

arulmr

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answered Aug 28 '13 at 05:08

Mayank Raipure

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Just in case anyone wants to delete all the files from the directory, use `-r` option for recursive. So the command will look like `git rm -r /path-to-file-name/` then do the `commit` and `push` as mentioned in the above answer. – Kunal Dethe Sep 15 '14 at 06:13

score 54 · Answer 3 · answered Nov 05 '19 at 09:55

54

If you want to push a deleted file to remote

git add 'deleted file name'

git commit -m'message'

git push -u origin branch

If you want to delete a file from remote and locally

git rm 'file name'

git commit -m'message'

git push -u origin branch

If you want to delete a file from remote only

git rm --cached 'file name'

git commit -m'message'

git push -u origin branch

answered Nov 05 '19 at 09:55

ireshika piyumalie

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If you wish to delete a folder instead, you must replace the first command in all 3 cases with the following: `git rm -r 'file name'` – Loich Apr 19 '21 at 10:11

score 21 · Answer 4 · answered Mar 08 '15 at 21:18

A simpler way

git add . -A
git commit -m "Deleted some files..."
git push origin master

-A Update the index not only where the working tree has a file matching but also where the index already has an entry. This adds, modifies, and removes index entries to match the working tree. Taken from (http://git-scm.com/docs/git-add)

score 8 · Answer 5 · answered Dec 12 '17 at 16:08

8

If you pushed a file or folder before it was in .gitignore (or had no .gitignore):

Comment it out from .gitignore
Add it back on the filesystem
Remove it from the folder
git add your file && commit it
git push

answered Dec 12 '17 at 16:08

Christophe Roussy

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Mo Aboulmagd · Answer 6 · 2022-09-24T05:09:47.020

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I know I am late, but what worked for me (total git newbie) was executing the following set of git commands:

git rm -r --cached . 
git add .
git commit -am "Remove ignored files and resubmitting files"

To give credit where it is due, here is the link to the source.

edited Sep 24 '22 at 05:09

answered Jan 02 '21 at 02:34

Mo Aboulmagd

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score 4 · Answer 7 · answered Mar 14 '12 at 11:43

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if you just commit your deleted file and push. It should then be removed from the remote repo.

answered Mar 14 '12 at 11:43

andy boot

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score 3 · Answer 8 · answered Jun 14 '17 at 17:56

3

If you have deleted lot of files and folders, just do this

git commit -a -m .
git push

answered Jun 14 '17 at 17:56

Armen Arzumanyan

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score 1 · Answer 9 · answered Feb 06 '15 at 06:29

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Git Remote repository file deletion simple solution:

git commit (file name with path which you want to delete) -m "file is deleted"

git push

It will work.Multiple selective file also you can delete in remote repository same way.

answered Feb 06 '15 at 06:29

Bharat Bhushan

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score 1 · Answer 10 · edited Jun 20 '20 at 09:12

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Visual Studio Code:

Delete the files from your Explorer view. You see them crossed-out in your Branch view. Then commit and Sync.

Be aware: If files are on your .gitignore list, then the delete "update" will not be pushed and therefore not be visible. VS Code will warn you if this is the case, though. -> Exclude the files/folder from gitignore temporarily.

edited Jun 20 '20 at 09:12

Community

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answered May 05 '20 at 12:00

vii

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score 0 · Answer 11 · answered Sep 07 '20 at 16:32

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The easiest thing to do is to move the file from your local directory temporarily, then commit changes to your remote repo. Then add it back to your local repo, make sure to update .gitignore so it doesn't commit to remote again

answered Sep 07 '20 at 16:32

dave o grady

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score -1 · Answer 12 · edited Jun 07 '21 at 16:15

-1

Don't need to worry, I just tackled this issue.

Step 1: Use commit changes

$ git commit -a "files were deleted"

Step 2: Push the changes

$ git push

edited Jun 07 '21 at 16:15

Obsidian

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answered Jun 07 '21 at 14:44

Anshul Bhatt

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This is the same as the highest scoring answer. – snakecharmerb Feb 15 '23 at 21:38

Git - how delete file from remote repository

12 Answers12

Git Remote repository file deletion simple solution:

Visual Studio Code:

Linked