---
title: "Delete Files/Folders"
slug: "delete-filesfolders"
updated: 2024-10-10T09:38:01Z
published: 2024-10-10T09:38:01Z
canonical: "help.scalefusion.com/delete-filesfolders"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.scalefusion.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Delete Files/Folders

Use this script to remotely delete files and/or folders on Linux machines.

1. Copy and save the contents below to a **UTF-8** editor like **notepad++** OR **Sublime Text** in Windows or **gedit** in Ubuntu.
  1. If you are using **notepad++** then use the bottom right panel to change the type to **Unix (LF)**. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/175c0eac-012f-4410-bdc5-ac60794f82d8/Images/Documentation/image-NAW5LA30.png)
2. Or click [here](https://cdn.document360.io/175c0eac-012f-4410-bdc5-ac60794f82d8/Images/Documentation/Delete_Files_Folders.sh) to download the file.

```bash
#!/bin/bash

# Define the target hostname (convert to lowercase)
target_hostname="ENTER_CURRENT_HOSTNAME_OF_DEVICE"

# Get the current hostname (convert to lowercase)
current_hostname=$(hostname | tr '[:upper:]' '[:lower:]')

# Check if the current hostname matches the target hostname
if [ "$current_hostname" != "$target_hostname" ]; then
    echo "Error: Current hostname ($current_hostname) does not match the target hostname ($target_hostname). Exiting."
    exit 1
fi

# Function to delete a file and show a message
delete_file() {
    file_path=$1
    if [ -e "$file_path" ]; then
        rm "$file_path"
        echo "File $file_path deleted."
    else
        echo "File $file_path not found."
    fi
}

# Function to delete a folder and its contents and show a message
delete_folder() {
    folder_path=$1
    if [ -e "$folder_path" ]; then
        rm -r "$folder_path"
        echo "Folder $folder_path and its contents deleted."
    else
        echo "Folder $folder_path not found."
    fi
}

# DELETE_A_FILE
delete_file "/path/to/file.txt"

# DELETE_MULTIPLE_FILES
delete_file "/path/to/file1.txt"
delete_file "/path/to/file2.txt"

# DELETE_A_FOLDER_AND_ITS_CONTENTS
delete_folder "/path/to/folder"

# DELETE_MULTIPLE_FOLDERS_AND_THEIR_CONTENTS
delete_folder "/path/to/folder1"
delete_folder "/path/to/folder2"

# Use caution with wildcards to avoid unintended deletions
# For example, this will delete all .txt files in the home directory and its subdirectories
# rm -r ~/*.txt
```
3. In the script, replace the following placeholder:
  1. Provide the host name in the line: target_hostname="ENTER_CURRENT_HOSTNAME_OF_DEVICE"
  2. Provide the path of the file or folder to be deleted in the lines: delete_file "/path/to/file.txt" delete_file "/path/to/file1.txt"
4. Please use caution with wildcards to avoid unintended deletions, for example, rm -r ~/*.txt will delete all .txt files in the home directory and its subdirectories.
5. Follow [our guide](/docs/deploy-linux-shell-scripts-using-scalefusion#step-1-upload-and-deploy-the-script) to upload & publish the script using Scalefusion Dashboard.

> [!CAUTION]
> Note:
> 
> 1. Some of the scripts and their contents are sourced from internet and yes, our new friend ChatGPT.
> 2. Please validate the scripts on a test machine before deploying them on all your managed devices.
> 3. Scalefusion has tested these scripts, however Scalefusion will not be responsible for any loss of data or system malfunction that may arise due to the usage of these scripts.