Vicki05
asked on
Delete Folder and its contents in a batch file
I have files that are backed up in folders with date and time stamp. I need to delete the folders that have date and timestamp that are older then 30 days. I also want to delete the contents in those folders.
Example Folder Name Test_20160630, Test_20160730
Can someone please help.
Thanks
Example Folder Name Test_20160630, Test_20160730
Can someone please help.
Thanks
Here is a BAT script that will do this task. Change the SET near the top to indicate the base folder where the folders you want to remove exist.
Currently the script is set to only display the folders that would be deleted, and their age. If you like the results and it looks like that would be right, remove the word ECHO on the RD line, and run again. It will delete all the folders then though, so test carefully first.
It assumes all folders in the base folder will have YYYYMMDD as the rightmost 8 characters. It may not work properly is that assumption is not true.
Currently the script is set to only display the folders that would be deleted, and their age. If you like the results and it looks like that would be right, remove the word ECHO on the RD line, and run again. It will delete all the folders then though, so test carefully first.
It assumes all folders in the base folder will have YYYYMMDD as the rightmost 8 characters. It may not work properly is that assumption is not true.
@echo off
setlocal EnableDelayedExpansion
REM Define base for folder, and days to keep old folders
set BaseDir=c:\temp
set DaysToKeep=30
REM Get current date in YYYYMMDD format, convert to julian
set Today=
for /f "tokens=* skip=1" %%A in ('wmic os get LocalDateTime') do (
if not defined LocalDateTime (
set LocalDateTime=%%A
set Today=!LocalDateTime:~0,8!
call :jDate jToday !Today!
)
)
REM Process all files, delete if too old
for /f "tokens=*" %%A in ('dir /ad /b "%BaseDir%\*"') do (
set DirName=%%~nA
call :jDate jDirDate !DirName:~-8!
set /A DirAge = !jToday! - !jDirDate!
if !DirAge! GTR %DaysToKeep% (
echo Removing Dir:[%BaseDir%\%%~A], Age:[!DirAge! days]
ECHO rd /s /q "%BaseDir%\%%~A"
)
)
REM Done
exit /b
REM Subroutine to calculate julian date from (YYYYMMDD) date
:jDate [return-variable] [date-string]
set DateStr=%~2
set yy=%DateStr:~0,4%
set /A mm=1%DateStr:~4,2%-100
set /A dd=1%DateStr:~6,2%-100
set /a "yy=10000%yy% %%10000,mm=100%mm% %% 100,dd=100%dd% %% 100"
set /a %~1=dd-32075+1461*(yy+4800+(mm-14)/12)/4+367*(mm-2-(mm-14)/12*12)/12-3*((yy+4900+(mm-14)/12)/100)/4
exit /b
~bp
ASKER
Hi Bill,
The batch file deleted folder that did not have a date time stamp on it which I did not want. The folder was created today. The folders that I want deleted are labeled as Test_20160829-121525 for example. The date and time changes. Every time the system is rebooted. It moves the test folder with date and time stamp. It creates a new folder Test and creates a new backup.
I would like the batch file to only look for files that have a date and time stamp and delete folds including its content Test_20160829-121525, Test_20160629-111543
untitled.bmp
untitled2.bmp
untitled3.bmp
untitled4.bmp
The batch file deleted folder that did not have a date time stamp on it which I did not want. The folder was created today. The folders that I want deleted are labeled as Test_20160829-121525 for example. The date and time changes. Every time the system is rebooted. It moves the test folder with date and time stamp. It creates a new folder Test and creates a new backup.
I would like the batch file to only look for files that have a date and time stamp and delete folds including its content Test_20160829-121525, Test_20160629-111543
untitled.bmp
untitled2.bmp
untitled3.bmp
untitled4.bmp
ASKER
Forefiles does not work on xp as it is not resident in this version of Windows XP
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ASKER
Hi Bill,
The above batch files seems to work. Quick question. If I want to insert this part in another batch file. I do I prevent it from exiting?
The above batch files seems to work. Quick question. If I want to insert this part in another batch file. I do I prevent it from exiting?
These statements are where my script exits and stops executing.
You can add the main logic of my script in yours as needed, and place the subroutine JDATE after all the merged code, witht he EXIT /B right before it.
~bp
REM Done
exit /b
These are needed because there is a subroutine that follows that, and without the EXIT /B the script would just step into the subroutine as if it was the main code body.You can add the main logic of my script in yours as needed, and place the subroutine JDATE after all the merged code, witht he EXIT /B right before it.
~bp
ASKER
Hi Bill,
Thanks for the help. I have had times where the folder does not get deleted. I have to reboot then run the batch file again. Do you know what would cause this?
Thanks for the help. I have had times where the folder does not get deleted. I have to reboot then run the batch file again. Do you know what would cause this?
When the directory isn't deleted, do you get the "Removing Dir:" message?
My initial guess would be that another program has that folder in use, so it can't be deleted.
~bp
My initial guess would be that another program has that folder in use, so it can't be deleted.
~bp
ASKER
I do not get any message, it just not delete.
I don't see any reason in the code why it would skip folder that match the pattern and date criteria. You will have to look for folder usage by other programs, or user permission issues, etc.
~bp
~bp
ASKER
Thanks for your help. I really appreciate it. I think the folder might have been open as you said.
https://elderec.org/2012/02/scripting-delete-files-and-folders-older-than-x-days/