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Delete Directory Recursive

Zero-dependency Python snippets for deleting directories and their contents recursively using the standard library.

4 snippets available in this sub-category.

Simple

Delete directory and contents with shutil

directory delete recursive rmtree shutil

Delete directory and all its contents recursively

import shutil

shutil.rmtree("directory_to_delete")

Notes

  • Deletes directory and all subdirectories
  • Deletes all files within the directory tree
  • Raises OSError if directory doesn't exist
  • Use with caution - permanent deletion

Delete directory safely

directory delete recursive rmtree error-handling shutil

Delete directory recursively with error handling

import shutil

try:
    shutil.rmtree("directory_to_delete")
    print("Directory and contents deleted successfully")
except FileNotFoundError:
    print("Directory does not exist")
except OSError as e:
    print(f"Error deleting directory: {e}")

Notes

  • Handles case where directory doesn't exist
  • Provides clear error messages
  • Safe for scripts that may run multiple times

Complex

Delete directory with confirmation

directory delete recursive confirmation count rmtree shutil

Delete directory recursively with confirmation and file count

import shutil
import os


def delete_directory_recursive_with_confirmation(directory):
    """Delete directory and contents with user confirmation."""
    if not os.path.exists(directory):
        print(f"Directory '{directory}' does not exist")
        return False

    if not os.path.isdir(directory):
        print(f"'{directory}' is not a directory")
        return False

    # Count files and directories
    file_count = 0
    dir_count = 0

    for root, dirs, files in os.walk(directory):
        file_count += len(files)
        dir_count += len(dirs)

    print(f"Directory '{directory}' contains:")
    print(f"  - {file_count} files")
    print(f"  - {dir_count} directories")

    # Ask for confirmation
    response = input(f"Delete directory '{directory}' and all contents? (y/N): ")
    if response.lower() in ["y", "yes"]:
        try:
            shutil.rmtree(directory)
            print(f"Deleted directory and all contents: {directory}")
            return True
        except OSError as e:
            print(f"Error deleting directory: {e}")
            return False
    else:
        print("Deletion cancelled")
        return False


delete_directory_recursive_with_confirmation("temp_project")

Notes

  • Shows file and directory count before deletion
  • Asks for user confirmation
  • Provides detailed information
  • Safe for important directories

Delete directory with backup

directory delete recursive backup timestamp rmtree shutil

Delete directory recursively with optional backup

import shutil
import os
from datetime import datetime


def delete_directory_with_backup(directory, backup_dir=None):
    """Delete directory with optional backup."""
    if not os.path.exists(directory):
        print(f"Directory '{directory}' does not exist")
        return False

    if not os.path.isdir(directory):
        print(f"'{directory}' is not a directory")
        return False

    # Create backup if requested
    if backup_dir:
        timestamp = datetime.now().strftime("%Y%m%d_%H%M%S")
        backup_name = f"{os.path.basename(directory)}_{timestamp}"
        backup_path = os.path.join(backup_dir, backup_name)

        try:
            shutil.copytree(directory, backup_path)
            print(f"Created backup: {backup_path}")
        except OSError as e:
            print(f"Error creating backup: {e}")
            return False

    # Delete the directory
    try:
        shutil.rmtree(directory)
        print(f"Deleted directory: {directory}")
        return True
    except OSError as e:
        print(f"Error deleting directory: {e}")
        return False


# Delete with backup
delete_directory_with_backup("old_project", "/backups")

Notes

  • Creates timestamped backup before deletion
  • Preserves data in backup location
  • Handles backup and deletion errors
  • Useful for safe cleanup operations

🔗 Cross-References

🏷️ Tags

file, directory, delete, recursive, shutil, os, io

📝 Notes

  • Use shutil.rmtree() to delete non-empty directories
  • Useful for cleanup and automation
  • Always use with caution to avoid data loss