How do I remove a directory in Linux using the shell prompt?
You can use the following commands:
[a] rmdir command : remove empty directories.
[b] rm command : remove files or directories.
Linux Delete a Directory Command Examples
The syntax is as follows:
rmdir dirName |
Login using the ssh client or open a command-line terminal (select Applications > Accessories > Terminal under Gnome desktop), than type the following command to delete empty directory called foo:
rmdir foo |
By default, the rm command does not remove directories. Use the –recursive (-r or -R) option to remove each listed directory, too, along with all of its contents including all files and subdirectories:
rm -r documents |
You can also specifiy the full path:
rm -r /data/dir1 rm -r /home/vivek/dir2 rmdir $HOME/mp3 |
1 comment
Greetings,
My name is Ramlee and my laptop has the latest Ubuntu Studio distro installed.
I am trying to remove a folder/directory that I extracted from an archived file incorrectly. The path to the folder is;
/usr/share/sounds/sf2/GeneralUser GS 1.44 FluidSynth
That last folder (GeneralUser GS etc.) is the folder I want to delete and it contains a mix of subdirectories and single files.
I have tried every combination of the rm -r command in a terminal with no success. So far, I have had the following three results;
1. nothing happens, or
2. I’m told the directory doesn’t exist, or
3. I’m told I don’t have the correct permission.
I have a feeling I’m not typing in my commands correctly. All advice welcome.
Regards Ramlee.