I need to delete a file via DOS?

Question

I have a file called"All" that i cannot simlply delete through windows. The correct path is: C:/documents/Shared/All

Please can anyone tell me how to do this through the DOS Prompt
or can it be done via the run command? Thanks

Thanks all of you. Tried mentioned recommendations but to no avail. I've had problems with this for an age now. I think it must be a virus of some sorts. However, i've tried just about every virus checker and Spyware on the planet but with no joy as when virus checker gets to My "All" file they just stop doing anything. So i've decided to wipe the drive and be done with it. Thanks again everyone for all your help. I'll give points to "BOB K" Since he was first to answer and the programe he recommended will come in handy. All appreciated. Kind regards AM

"Elijah" Whats a Live Linux CD? Could try it since i've tried just about all else. Thanks. AM

Answer 1

Try moveonboot

http://www.softwarepatch.com/software/moveonboot.html


there is a tutorial here as well
http://www.softwarepatch.com/tips/howto-delete-xp.html

Answer 2

very strange how you cant delete the files or folder in windows and there must be a reason it is being stopped...in theory deleting in windows environment is simply running the delete command anyway but behinde the scenes in dos.
you can as you say try through command prompt
start>run> "cmd"
then navigate to the folder i.e
-cd documents >
-cd shared
-cd all
and then run
-del *.*
to clear the folder and then:
-cd..
to go back up a directory level and then
-rmdir all
to remove the directory "all"

hope that helps, prob not explained to well lol :)

Answer 3

You don't say if "All" is a file or a folder - it's either a file or a folder.

If it's a folder, you can use the deltree command in DOS.

deltree is a DANGEROUS command if you don't know exactly what you're doing. It deletes the named folder and ALL its contents, including subfolders and their contents.

So what you would do is this:

deltree c:\documents\shared\all

NOTE the backslashes. Windows paths always use backslashes. Web addresses (and Linux etc OS) use forward slashes. About the only time a forward slash is used in a DOS path is with a modifying switch.

The alternative to using "deltree" is a safer command called "rd" (short for remove directory). "rd" will only delete a folder if it's totally empty.

rd c:\documents\shared\all

----------------------------------------good luck-----------------------------------------


Just be careful what you're doing - or you'll trash Windows.

Answer 4

Since you suggest that it may be a virus on your machine that is preventing you from deleting the file, you could try using a live linux CD and then deleting the file...

Answer 5

So long as the files are not in use by anyone including yourself and not write protect, you should be able to delete it from windows and command.

Answer 6

If windows won't let you delete there might be a good reason

Answer 7

go to start, run, cmd

type in the following

erase C:/documents/Shared/All
that's it, if erase is not recognized change the word erase to delete

Answer 8

go to that required location-
open DOS then type
cd Shared press enter
del All press enter