Python Delete Files 🗑️

Deleting Files & Folders

To delete files, you must import the os module. Always check if a file exists before deleting it to avoid errors.

🗑️ Analogy: The Shredder

Deleting a file in Python is like putting a document in a Paper Shredder.
- Once it's gone, it's gone. There is no "Recycle Bin" or "Undo" button here.
- Be extremely careful!

✨ Delete a File

Use os.remove() to delete a file.

python

import os

if os.path.exists("demofile.txt"):
    os.remove("demofile.txt")
    print("File deleted")
else:
    print("The file does not exist")

🎯 Real-World Application: Cleanup

Deleting temporary files after a task is complete to save space.

python

import os

# Delete all .tmp files
files = ["temp1.tmp", "temp2.tmp", "important.doc"]

for file in files:
    if file.endswith(".tmp"):
        if os.path.exists(file):
            os.remove(file)
            print(f"Deleted {file}")

📂 Delete an Empty Folder

Use os.rmdir() to delete an empty folder.

python

import os
try:
    os.rmdir("myfolder")
    print("Folder deleted")
except OSError:
    print("Folder is not empty or does not exist")

⚠️ Delete Folder with Content

To delete a folder containing files, use the shutil module. Warning: This cannot be undone!

python

import shutil

shutil.rmtree("myfolder") # Deletes folder and ALL its contents

✨ Pro Tip: Pathlib

Modern Python uses the pathlib module for object-oriented file system paths.

python

from pathlib import Path

file_path = Path("demofile.txt")
if file_path.exists():
    file_path.unlink() # Delete file