VBScript Delete Method

last modified April 9, 2025

The Delete method in VBScript is part of the FileSystemObject. It permanently removes files or folders from the file system. This method is powerful and should be used with caution as deleted items cannot be recovered. It's commonly used in file cleanup operations.

Delete can remove both files and folders, with options for recursive deletion. It permanently erases data without sending to recycle bin. This tutorial covers Delete with practical examples to demonstrate its usage in various scenarios.

Delete Method Overview

The Delete method is available on both File and Folder objects. It takes an optional parameter to force deletion of read-only items. The method permanently removes the specified file system object. No confirmation is requested before deletion.

Key features include immediate permanent deletion and recursive folder removal. It doesn't support wildcards - exact paths must be specified. Delete throws errors if the target doesn't exist or is in use. Understanding this method helps create effective file management scripts.

Deleting a Single File

This example demonstrates the simplest use of Delete to remove a single file. It shows basic file deletion with error handling. The script checks if the file exists before attempting deletion.

delete_file.vbs

Set fso = CreateObject("Scripting.FileSystemObject")
filePath = "C:\Temp\old_report.txt"

If fso.FileExists(filePath) Then
    Set file = fso.GetFile(filePath)
    file.Delete
    WScript.Echo "File deleted successfully"
Else
    WScript.Echo "File does not exist"
End If

Set fso = Nothing

The script creates a FileSystemObject and checks for file existence. If found, it gets a File object and calls Delete. The file is permanently removed without confirmation. Always verify existence before deletion to avoid errors.

Force Deleting Read-Only Files

This example shows how to delete read-only files using the force parameter. The second parameter of Delete when set to True overrides read-only attributes. This ensures deletion regardless of file attributes.

force_delete.vbs

Set fso = CreateObject("Scripting.FileSystemObject")
filePath = "C:\Temp\protected_file.txt"

If fso.FileExists(filePath) Then
    Set file = fso.GetFile(filePath)
    file.Delete True ' Force deletion
    WScript.Echo "Read-only file deleted"
Else
    WScript.Echo "File not found"
End If

Set fso = Nothing

The script attempts to delete a potentially read-only file. The True parameter forces deletion regardless of attributes. This is useful when cleaning up system-generated files that might be marked read-only. Use with caution.

Deleting an Empty Folder

This example demonstrates deleting an empty directory. The Delete method fails if the folder contains files. Only completely empty folders can be deleted with this approach. The script includes existence checking.

delete_folder.vbs

Set fso = CreateObject("Scripting.FileSystemObject")
folderPath = "C:\Temp\EmptyFolder"

If fso.FolderExists(folderPath) Then
    Set folder = fso.GetFolder(folderPath)
    folder.Delete
    WScript.Echo "Folder deleted successfully"
Else
    WScript.Echo "Folder does not exist"
End If

Set fso = Nothing

The script checks for folder existence before attempting deletion. If found and empty, it's permanently removed. For non-empty folders, an error occurs. This approach is useful for cleaning up temporary directories in scripts.

Recursive Folder Deletion

This example shows how to delete a folder and all its contents recursively. The DeleteFolder method of FileSystemObject handles this. The second parameter forces deletion of read-only items within the folder.

recursive_delete.vbs

Set fso = CreateObject("Scripting.FileSystemObject")
folderPath = "C:\Temp\OldProject"

If fso.FolderExists(folderPath) Then
    fso.DeleteFolder folderPath, True
    WScript.Echo "Folder and contents deleted"
Else
    WScript.Echo "Folder not found"
End If

Set fso = Nothing

The script uses DeleteFolder to remove the folder and all contents. The True parameter forces deletion of read-only items. This is powerful but dangerous - ensure correct path is specified. Useful for complete cleanup operations.

Deleting Multiple Files with Wildcards

While Delete doesn't support wildcards directly, we can combine FileSystemObject methods to achieve this. This example shows how to delete multiple files matching a pattern in a directory.

wildcard_delete.vbs

Set fso = CreateObject("Scripting.FileSystemObject")
folderPath = "C:\Temp\Logs"
filePattern = "*.bak"

If fso.FolderExists(folderPath) Then
    Set folder = fso.GetFolder(folderPath)
    For Each file In folder.Files
        If LCase(fso.GetExtensionName(file.Name)) = "bak" Then
            file.Delete
            WScript.Echo "Deleted: " & file.Name
        End If
    Next
Else
    WScript.Echo "Folder not found"
End If

Set fso = Nothing

The script enumerates all files in a folder and deletes those matching the pattern. Here we check file extensions, but other criteria could be used. This approach provides more control than direct wildcard support would. Useful for log file rotation and cleanup.

Source

FileSystemObject Documentation

In this article, we have explored the Delete method in VBScript, covering its usage and practical applications. From single file deletion to recursive folder removal, these examples demonstrate file system cleanup techniques. With this knowledge, you can implement robust file management in your scripts.

Author

My name is Jan Bodnar and I am a passionate programmer with many years of programming experience. I have been writing programming articles since 2007. So far, I have written over 1400 articles and 8 e-books. I have over eight years of experience in teaching programming.

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