How to delete files from external EXT3 formatted drive?


  1. Posts : 868
    Windows 10 x64
       #1

    How to delete files from external EXT3 formatted drive?


    Newbie question...

    I have an EXT3 formatted drive. Whilst using Linux Reader I can copy files from this drive to my desktop PC. All fine.
    Linux Reader, being a 'reader', obviously does not allow deleting files.
    Gave ext2fsd a try, but the delete option is greyed out for some reason.

    Then I activated WSL (in Windows Features)
    Installed ubuntu from the Microsoft store.
    Got as far as the Linux command prompt.
    Entered username, password.
    Okay so far.

    Now from this point on, I would like to:
    a. have a list of the drives (let's say similar to: "diskpart" + "list disk")
    b. change drive/select drive to the external drive
    c. delete the file, which consists of multiple words with spaces (like: rm "this file should be deleted.txt")

    Am not a Linux user, probably never will be.

    Did check out some sites (with basic commands for beginners) but regretfully could not find the commands to perform a. and b. above.

    Deleting some files is the only thing I need to do.

    Thanks.

    (Windows 10 x64 v1903)
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 19,518
    W11+W11 Developer Insider + Linux
       #2

    tfwul said:
    Newbie question...

    I have an EXT3 formatted drive. Whilst using Linux Reader I can copy files from this drive to my desktop PC. All fine.
    Linux Reader, being a 'reader', obviously does not allow deleting files.
    Gave ext2fsd a try, but the delete option is greyed out for some reason.

    Then I activated WSL (in Windows Features)
    Installed ubuntu from the Microsoft store.
    Got as far as the Linux command prompt.
    Entered username, password.
    Okay so far.

    Now from this point on, I would like to:
    a. have a list of the drives (let's say similar to: "diskpart" + "list disk")
    b. change drive/select drive to the external drive
    c. delete the file, which consists of multiple words with spaces (like: rm "this file should be deleted.txt")

    Am not a Linux user, probably never will be.

    Did check out some sites (with basic commands for beginners) but regretfully could not find the commands to perform a. and b. above.

    Deleting some files is the only thing I need to do.

    Thanks.

    (Windows 10 x64 v1903)
    D. Make a live Linux USB and do whatever you want with files on that disk.
      My Computers


  3. Posts : 2,799
    Linux Mint 20.1 Win10Prox64
       #3

    Gave ext2fsd a try, but the delete option is greyed out for some reason.
    If you install ext2fsd. Run Ext2Mgr:
    double click on the ext drive
    uncheck and assign a drive letter
    Open File Explorer, it will show up in the list.
    Use it as a regular Windows drive.
    See screenshors

    How to delete files from external EXT3 formatted drive?-p1.jpg
    How to delete files from external EXT3 formatted drive?-p2.jpgHow to delete files from external EXT3 formatted drive?-p3.jpg
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 868
    Windows 10 x64
    Thread Starter
       #4

    @CountMike - thanks for the suggestion. I have given that tool a try in the past, as far as I remember.
    Give it a try about 4 times now using different ubuntu .iso (amd and i386), with or without persistence (whatever that is) on FAT32 formatted usb.
    After launching the Oracle VM Portable VirtualBox window shows up and after a couple of seconds it disappears showing a small window say "Exit Portable-VirtualBox - Please do not unplug your key!"
    As said, I have no knowledge of Linux - so at this point I am not sure what to do. I have now asked the developer, see what his reaction will be.
    @topgundcp - thank you as well. I gave that a try as well of course. I already tried it this morning, but with an old version (0.48). Probably I did something wrong, whatever.

    I just tried with 0.69

    That worked fine!

    Thank you so much, I can do whatever I want, delete (see below), rename.

    Super..

    Again, many thanks indeed.

    How to delete files from external EXT3 formatted drive?-snagit-15102019-151828.png
      My Computer


 

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