How to delete all files and folders in current directory using Linux commands?

wpspeedster

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I am trying to remove all files and sub directories in a directory but I only want to remove all files and sub folders, excluding the top directory itself.
For example, I have a top directory like cPanel and it contains the files as system.log, gmp.sys and five folders, in this five folders, there are many sub folders.
Now I want to delete all files in cPanel directory and all folders and sub folders in it.
I am at root folder. How can I do this in Linux and using commands only?
 

LJSHost

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If you want to remove the folder with all its contents (including all interior folders)

rm -rfi /root/directory/*

This will remove everything above /root/directory/ but leave the /root/directory/ empty but not deleted.

I added the -i to ask for approval on every delete for safety, if the directory contains hundreds of files you will need to remove the -i or it will take hours.
EXTERME WARNING: unless you understand this command completely and know exactly what you are doing do not run it !
 

GswHosting

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Great advice LJSHost, I never had need to delete all. I have some times need to delete something from some directory (leaving directory).
I usually go to that directory using cd and then use rm * -R
 

WPCycle

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The rm -rfi /folder/folder/* is very useful.

Now if you really dislike someone...just do rm -R in the root and wait for sparks to fly ;)
 

GswHosting

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That reminds of some old joke.

Your father have hidden games on computer to access them go to dos, enter format c: and hit enter and you will find all games.
 

WPCycle

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WPCycle
HAHAHA. You know the young cats will have to Google "What is DOS" and will be astounded by 16k RAM and saving data to cassettes...which they will then Google "What is a cassette" :hysterical:
 

LJSHost

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I will just add to my original comments that before deleting anything always backup first. Better safe than sorry.

Deleting files on the command line as root can go badly wrong the difference between deleting a few folders or the entire file system can be as simple as a / or a * in the wrong place.
 
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