batch-filewindowxbmc

Batch command to delete all subfolders with a specific name

I have a directory as such:

D:\Movies
D:\Movies\MovieTitle1\backdrops\
D:\Movies\MovieTitle2\backdrops\
D:\Movies\MovieTitle3\backdrops\
D:\Movies\MovieTitle4\backdrops\

How could I have a batch file delete all folders named "Backdrops"? I would prefer it to run recursive from just the D:\ drive if possible.

Solution

  • Short answer:

    Cd into the parent directory you want to navigate, e.g. cd C:\.

    To recursively delete all subdirectories named backdrops, run

    FOR /d /r . %d IN (backdrops) DO @IF EXIST "%d" rd /S /Q "%d"

    Remove the /Q option if you want to confirm each deletion.

    If you put this commands in a batch file, you need to escape %d as %%d.

    I got my answer from one of the countless answers to the same question on Stack Overflow:

    Command line tool to delete folder with a specified name recursively in Windows?

    This command is not tested, but I do trust this site enough to post this answer.