How to Delete a File in Linux: Everything You Need to Know

In Linux, the process of removing files is not as hard as it may seem. However, you need to be careful how you delete the files. In this article, we’ll discuss everything from using rm commands to deleting hidden files on the operating system. So, whether you’re a beginner or an experienced user, it’s important to know how to delete a file in Linux safely.

Deleting Files in Linux with a File Manager

If you’re using Nautilus, Dolphin, or another Linux file manager, you can easily delete files by following these easy steps:

• select the file you want to delete in your file manager;
• open the menu by pressing right-click;
• depending on Linux distributions, you can either click on “Move to Trash” or “Delete File.”

Deleting Files in Linux with the Terminal

If you wish to delete a file in Linux using the terminal, it’s possible to use its wide choice of commands. Here’s how to do so:

• use the command “cd/path/to/the/file” to look for files in the terminal;
• open the menu by pressing right-click and clicking on “Open in Terminal;”
• use the command “rm” to delete your file.

How to Use the Rm Command to Delete Files

The rm command in Linux simply stands for “remove.” This command line can delete a wide array of files, including a single file, multiple files, or files with a specific file name or format.

Delete a Single File

To delete a single file, you’ll need to use the rm command followed by the name of the file you want to delete. For example, if you want to delete a file named “file1.odt”, you should type “rm file1.odt” into the terminal.

Delete Multiple Files

Thanks to the rm command, it’s possible to remove multiple files on Linux. To do so, list all the file names you want to delete. Just remember to put a space between them to complete the process effectively. Here’s how to do it: 

“rm file1.odt file2.odt”

Delete Files with a Specific Name

You can also delete files with a specific name pattern. This way, you can simply put “rm *Delete*” in the command line.

Delete Files with a Specific Format

Besides removing files with a similar name, Linux allows you to delete files with the same format. Suppose all the files you want to delete are .jpg images. You would type ’rm *.jpg’ into the terminal.

Remove a Folder in Linux

Not only can you delete multiple files, but you can remove folders or subfolders using the command line. By typing out this formula, you can delete all files included in the chosen folder.

“rm -r Files/*”

Of course, the folder won’t be deleted. To do this, you can remove a Linux directory.

Deleting Hidden Files in Linux

Hidden files are not visible in the file manager. In order to delete them, you can type “find . -type f -name ’.*’ -exec rm {} \;”. This formula will look for all hidden files on your computer and make sure they’re deleted.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Rm Command

Although rm can clear multiple file types in Linux and is relatively easy to use, this command comes with disadvantages. Once you delete files with rm, the process can’t be undone. So, it’s especially important to pay attention to the files you’re planning to delete.

Key Takeaways

• Deleting files in Linux can be done through the terminal or file manager.
• The rm command is mostly used to delete a single file, multiple files, or files with a specific name or format.
• It’s possible to delete all files in a folder using the rm command line.
• Once removed from your computer, Linux doesn’t recover rm files.

Frequently Asked Questions