C# - Delete files from directory if filename contains a certain word

Question

I need to check a directory to see if there are any files whos file name contains a specific keyword and if there are, to delete them. Is this possible?

Example:

If there are any files in "C:\Folder" whos file name contains the keyword "Apple", delete them.

Thanks.

Answer 1

You can use System.IO.Directory.GetFiles() to a list of the files, in string[] format.

Then you can use System.IO.File.ReadAllText() to read complete files, or if they are very big, open a TextReader with System.IO.File.OpenText().

If you are looking for a literal keyword, String.Contains() is all you need.

Deleting a file can be done with System.IO.File.Delete(). Make sure the file is closed again.

Edit, 2 examples of GetFiles():

string[] fileNames = System.IO.Directory.GetFiles(@"C:\");
string[] fileNames = System.IO.Directory.GetFiles(@"C:\", @"*.sys");

Answer 2

To expand on Henk's answer, you need:

string rootFolderPath = @"C:\\SomeFolder\\AnotherFolder\\FolderCOntainingThingsToDelete";
string filesToDelete = @"*DeleteMe*.doc";   // Only delete DOC files containing "DeleteMe" in their filenames
string[] fileList = System.IO.Directory.GetFiles(rootFolderPath, filesToDelete);
foreach(string file in fileList)
{
    System.Diagnostics.Debug.WriteLine(file + "will be deleted");
//  System.IO.File.Delete(file);
}

BE VERY CAREFUL!

Note that I've commented out the delete command. Run it and test it carefully before you let it actually delete anything!

If you wish to recursively delete files in ALL subfolders of the root folder, add ,System.IO.SearchOption.AllDirectories); to the GetFiles call.

If you do this it is also a very good idea to refuse to run if the rootFolderPath is less than about 4 characters long (a simple protection against deleting everything in C:\ - I've been there and done that and it's not fun!!!)

Answer 3

More or less, this:

string DeleteThis = "apple";
string[] Files = Directory.GetFiles(@"C:\Folder");

foreach (string file in Files)
{
    if (file.ToUpper().Contains(DeleteThis.ToUpper()))
    {
        File.Delete(file);
    }
}

Answer 4

new List<string>(Directory.GetFiles(@"C:\Folder")).ForEach(file => { if (file.ToUpper().Contains("apple".ToUpper())) File.Delete(file); });