how to use cmd prompt to delete files and subdirs without harming dir

tspnyc · 13 Jan 2019

I was able to use cmd to save all important files to external drives, thanks to advice from this forum.

Now I want to delete files and subdirectories from default folders like Pictures, Documents, et al, but not the main folder or hidden or system files. Just the stuff I put in there.

I want to see if freeing up a full harddrive has any affect on the PC's current issue of notloading Windows.

When I look online I find various people posting very complicated synatx, but it is all about deleting directories, not protecdting their integrity while deleting the contents.

Thanks.

PS

If this does not work I will want to delete the contents of the storage drive, my contents, not the system folders that allow it to work correctly. And then I will need to know how to reformat the SSD so I can try reinstalling W10.

Neemobeer · 13 Jan 2019

A full drive wouldn't prevent a system from booting.

DEL /S C:\Users\BoB\Pictures would delete everything in the Pictures directory including the Pictures directory while

DEL /S C:\Users\BoB\Pictures\* would delete all files and directories in Picture but not the pictures directory. System and Hidden items are ignored by default