Rd

Windows Command Reference > A-Z List > Rd

Applies To: Windows Server 2008,Windows Vista

Deletes a directory. This command is the same as the rmdir command.

For examples of how to use this command, see Examples.

Syntax

Parameters

Remarks

• You cannot delete a directory that contains files, including hidden or system files. If you attempt to do so, the following message appears:
  
  The directory is not empty
  
  Use the dir /a command to list all files (including hidden and system files). Then use the attrib command with -h to remove hidden file attributes, -s to remove system file attributes, or -h -s to remove both hidden and system file attributes. After the hidden and file attributes have been removed, you can delete the files.
  
  
• If you insert a backslash (\) at the beginning of Path, Path will start at the root directory (regardless of the current directory).
  
  
• You cannot use rd to delete the current directory. If you attempt to delete the current directory, the following error message appears:
  
  The process cannot access the file because it is being used by another process.
  
  If you receive this error message, you must change to a different directory (not a subdirectory of the current directory), and then use rd (specify Path if necessary).
  
  
• The rd command, with different parameters, is available from the Recovery Console.
  
  

Examples

You cannot delete the directory that you are currently working in. You must change to a directory that is not within the current directory. For example, to change to the parent directory, type:

You can now safely remove the desired directory.

Use the /s option to remove a directory tree. For example, to remove a directory named Test (and all its subdirectories and files) from the current directory, type:

To run the previous example in quiet mode, type:

Additional references

Command-Line Syntax Key

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