C# delete a folder and all files and folders within that folder

Question

I'm trying to delete a folder and all files and folders within that folder, I'm using the code below and I get the error Folder is not empty, any suggestions on what I can do?

try
{
  var dir = new DirectoryInfo(@FolderPath);
  dir.Attributes = dir.Attributes & ~FileAttributes.ReadOnly;
  dir.Delete();
  dataGridView1.Rows.RemoveAt(dataGridView1.SelectedRows[i].Index);
}
catch (IOException ex)
{
  MessageBox.Show(ex.Message);
}

user_49041 · Answer

dir.Delete(true); // true => recursive delete

user_253984 · Answer

Read the Manual:

Directory.Delete Method (String, Boolean)

Directory.Delete(folderPath, true);

jinsungy_1316 · Answer

Try:

System.IO.Directory.Delete(path,true)

This will recursively delete all files and folders underneath "path" assuming you have the permissions to do so.

orsogufo_15622 · Answer

The Directory.Delete method has a recursive boolean parameter, it should do what you need

Dmitri_Nesteruk_9476 · Answer

Err, what about just calling Directory.Delete(path, true); ?

user_1317559 · Answer

For those of you running into the DirectoryNotFoundException, add this check:

if (Directory.Exists(path)) Directory.Delete(path, true);

user_97000 · Answer

You should use:

dir.Delete(true);

for recursively deleting the contents of that folder too. See MSDN DirectoryInfo.Delete() overloads.

C# delete a folder and all files and folders within that folder

8 Answers