What Does the DEL Command Do?

What Does the DEL Command Do?, The DEL command (short for Delete) is a DOS command used to permanently delete files.

When you delete a file using DEL:

• It does not go to the Recycle Bin
• It is removed immediately
• There is no undo

Because of this, DEL must be used carefully.

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Basic DEL Command Syntax

The simplest form is:

del filename

Example:

del test.txt

This permanently deletes test.txt from the current folder.

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How to Use the DEL Command (Step by Step)

Steps:

1. Open Command Prompt
2. Navigate to the folder containing the file
3. Type: del example.txt
4. Press Enter

If successful, the file disappears immediately.

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Deleting Files With Spaces in the Name

Use quotation marks.

Example:

del "old report.docx"

Without quotes, the command will fail.

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Deleting Multiple Files at Once

You can delete multiple files using wildcards.

Example:

del *.tmp

This deletes all .tmp files in the current folder.

⚠️ Always confirm with dir first.

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Deleting Files Without Confirmation

Some systems prompt for confirmation.
You can force deletion without prompts:

del /q filename

Example:

del /q oldfile.txt

Use this only when you are certain.

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Deleting Read-Only Files

To remove read-only files:

del /f filename

Example:

del /f locked.txt

This is commonly used during cleanup or troubleshooting.

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Deleting Files in Another Folder

You can specify the full path.

Example:

del C:\Temp\error.log

This deletes the file without moving into the folder.

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Common DEL Command Errors

“Access is denied”

This means:

• You do not have permission
• The file is in use
• The folder is protected

Try:

• Closing the file
• Running Command Prompt as Administrator

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“Could Not Find”

This means:

• The filename is wrong
• You are in the wrong directory

Check with:

dir

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Is the DEL Command Dangerous?

DEL is not dangerous if used correctly, but mistakes can be serious.

Best practices:

• Always run dir first
• Delete one file at a time when learning
• Avoid wildcards until confident
• Never delete system files unless instructed

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DEL vs ERASE

DEL and ERASE are the same command.

Both work identically:

del file.txt
erase file.txt

DEL is more commonly used.

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What to Learn After DEL

Once you understand DEL, the next safe commands to learn are:

• MD – create folders
• RD – remove empty folders
• TREE – view folder structures

These help with organisation rather than removal.

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Where to Go Next

Recommended next guides:

• MD Command Explained (Create Folders in DOS)
• RD Command Explained (Remove Folders Safely)
• DOS Commands A–Z Index