Tech Support > Microsoft Windows > Batch file to delete old backup
Batch file to delete old backup
Posted by Anders Hellstrom on January 3rd, 2006


Presently I am using batch files for backing up my 4000 + work files to a
second hard drive. The batch files are executed from icons on the desktop.
The work files are stored in folder "All Data Files" and many subfolders.

To make a complete backup I use a command line:
Xcopy C:\"All Data Files" F:\"All Data Files" /c/e/h/k/r/s

To back up the files only after a certain date, I use a command line:
Xcopy C:\"All Data Files" F:\"All Data Files" /d:12-31-2005/c/e/h/k/r/s

When making a complete backup, I would like to add a line in the batch file
which will delete all subfolders and files located in folder F:\All Data
Files\..
I have tried the DOS command DEL, but I have not been able to make it work
with all subfolders and files.

My Operating System is Windows XP Home Edition with Service Pack 2.
Any help will be greatly appreciated

Anders Hellstrom










Posted by billious on January 3rd, 2006



"Anders Hellstrom" <obetug@msn.com> wrote in message
news:%23j259XHEGHA.2724@TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...
> Presently I am using batch files for backing up my 4000 + work files to a
> second hard drive. The batch files are executed from icons on the desktop.
> The work files are stored in folder "All Data Files" and many subfolders.
>
> To make a complete backup I use a command line:
> Xcopy C:\"All Data Files" F:\"All Data Files" /c/e/h/k/r/s
>
> To back up the files only after a certain date, I use a command line:
> Xcopy C:\"All Data Files" F:\"All Data Files" /d:12-31-2005/c/e/h/k/r/s
>
> When making a complete backup, I would like to add a line in the batch
> file
> which will delete all subfolders and files located in folder F:\All Data
> Files\..
> I have tried the DOS command DEL, but I have not been able to make it work
> with all subfolders and files.
>
> My Operating System is Windows XP Home Edition with Service Pack 2.
> Any help will be greatly appreciated
>
> Anders Hellstrom
>


Instead of DEL, try using

RD

RD/? will show the way..

RD/s/q "foldername"

should cause "foldername" to be "softly and suddenly vanished away"

HTH

....Bill


Posted by Anders Hellstrom on January 3rd, 2006


Thank you Bill,
I ended up with a batch file which includes:
Rmdir/s/q G:\"All Data Files"
Mkdir G:\"All Data Files"
Xcopy C:\"All Data Files" G:\"All Data Files" /c/e/h/k/r/s

This works just fine,
Anders

"billious" <billious_1954@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:43ba93a0$0$31821$a82e2bb9@reader.athenanews.c om...
>
> "Anders Hellstrom" <obetug@msn.com> wrote in message
> news:%23j259XHEGHA.2724@TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...
>> Presently I am using batch files for backing up my 4000 + work files to a
>> second hard drive. The batch files are executed from icons on the
>> desktop.
>> The work files are stored in folder "All Data Files" and many subfolders.
>>
>> To make a complete backup I use a command line:
>> Xcopy C:\"All Data Files" F:\"All Data Files" /c/e/h/k/r/s
>>
>> To back up the files only after a certain date, I use a command line:
>> Xcopy C:\"All Data Files" F:\"All Data Files" /d:12-31-2005/c/e/h/k/r/s
>>
>> When making a complete backup, I would like to add a line in the batch
>> file
>> which will delete all subfolders and files located in folder F:\All Data
>> Files\..
>> I have tried the DOS command DEL, but I have not been able to make it
>> work
>> with all subfolders and files.
>>
>> My Operating System is Windows XP Home Edition with Service Pack 2.
>> Any help will be greatly appreciated
>>
>> Anders Hellstrom
>>

>
> Instead of DEL, try using
>
> RD
>
> RD/? will show the way..
>
> RD/s/q "foldername"
>
> should cause "foldername" to be "softly and suddenly vanished away"
>
> HTH
>
> ...Bill
>
>



Posted by Anders Hellstrom on January 4th, 2006



"billious" <billious_1954@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:43ba93a0$0$31821$a82e2bb9@reader.athenanews.c om...
>
> "Anders Hellstrom" <obetug@msn.com> wrote in message
> news:%23j259XHEGHA.2724@TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...
>> Presently I am using batch files for backing up my 4000 + work files to a
>> second hard drive. The batch files are executed from icons on the
>> desktop.
>> The work files are stored in folder "All Data Files" and many subfolders.
>>
>> To make a complete backup I use a command line:
>> Xcopy C:\"All Data Files" F:\"All Data Files" /c/e/h/k/r/s
>>
>> To back up the files only after a certain date, I use a command line:
>> Xcopy C:\"All Data Files" F:\"All Data Files" /d:12-31-2005/c/e/h/k/r/s
>>
>> When making a complete backup, I would like to add a line in the batch
>> file
>> which will delete all subfolders and files located in folder F:\All Data
>> Files\..
>> I have tried the DOS command DEL, but I have not been able to make it
>> work
>> with all subfolders and files.
>>
>> My Operating System is Windows XP Home Edition with Service Pack 2.
>> Any help will be greatly appreciated
>>
>> Anders Hellstrom
>>

>
> Instead of DEL, try using
>
> RD
>
> RD/? will show the way..
>
> RD/s/q "foldername"
>
> should cause "foldername" to be "softly and suddenly vanished away"
>
> HTH
>
> ...Bill
>

Thank you Bill,
I ended up with a batch file which includes:
Rmdir/s/q G:\"All Data Files"
Mkdir G:\"All Data Files"
Xcopy C:\"All Data Files" G:\"All Data Files" /c/e/h/k/r/s

This works just fine,
Anders



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