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How do I delete files that DO NOT have the "A" (archive) attribute set via a batch/script?

This should be pretty easy (or so I think). How can I (via a batch file) delete all files that do NOT have the A (archive) attribute set (including subdirectories)?

Long story short, once our backup files are shipped to tape, the A attribute is cleared by the backup software. However these (really big) files are not removed. I want to run a script each night that cleans up files that have already been shipped (and thus do NOT have the A attribute set).

Thanks!
Dominic

sirbounty

Build your list with this command...

dir *.* /s /a-a >> C:\Deletionlist.txt

Then perform the delete using

for /f %%a in (C:\DeletionList.txt) do erase %%a

corpkid

ASKER

Hey Sirbounty - thanks for the help. That got me close, but the output file (deletionlist.txt) is formated like such:

03/18/2007 11:08 PM 7,644 DATA_BACKUP4_log_200703182100.txt

As such, the 2nd part of the script barks the following errors:

c:\erase 03/18/2007
Invalid switch - "18"

I don't know how to change the output...

Thanks again! :)

Dominic

ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION

sirbounty

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SteveGTR

I'd recommend using Sirbounty's suggest with the inclusion of the /b dir switch:

dir *.* /b /s /a-a > C:\Deletionlist.txt

for /f %%a in (C:\DeletionList.txt) do erase "%%a"

corpkid

ASKER

You are a genius! :)

That worked great! THANK YOU!

sirbounty

That's true - Steve's (the REAL genius) verion might be a better, and less code, method...
Glad it worked for you though.

SteveGTR

Sirbounty's idea and he came up with the solution. Great work :)

How do I delete files that DO NOT have the &quot;A&quot; (archive) attribute set via a batch/script?

How do I delete files that DO NOT have the "A" (archive) attribute set via a batch/script?