On Windows 11, you can use the del command with the terminal to quickly delete a file or folder. However, you can’t use it to delete folders recursively since the tool is designed for files.

If you have to remove files and subfolders from a folder, you must use different tools. For example, you can use the rmdir (remove directory) a tool with Command Prompt to delete folders recursively, or you can use the Remove-Item cmdlet on PowerShell.

This guide will teach you two ways to quickly delete folders with Command Prompt and PowerShell subfolders.

  • Delete folders with subfolders on Command Prompt
  • Delete folders with subfolders on PowerShell

Delete folders with subfolders with Command Prompt

To remove a subfolder from a folder with commands on Windows 11, use these steps:

  • Open Start on Windows 11.
  • Search for Command Prompt, right-click the top result, and select the Run as administrator option.
  • Type the following command to remove an empty folder and press Enter:
  • rmdir PATH\TO\FOLDER-NAME
  • In the command, replace PATH\TO\FOLDER-NAME with the folder path and the folder name to delete. This example removes the “files” folder:
  • rmdir C:\files
  • Type the following command to delete folders and subfolders with contents on Windows 11 and press Enter:
  • rmdir /s PATH\TO\FOLDER-NAME
  • This example removes the “files” folder, subfolders, and files:
  • rmdir /s C:\files
  • Type the following command to delete a folder with content recursively without a confirmation prompt and press Enter:
  • rmdir /s /q PATH\TO\FOLDER-NAME
  • This example removes the “files” folder, subfolders, and files without prompting for confirmation:
  • rmdir /s /q C:\files

Once you complete the steps, the command will remove a subfolder from a folder and files from Windows 11.

Open Start on Windows 11.

Search for Command Prompt, right-click the top result, and select the Run as administrator option.

Type the following command to remove an empty folder and press Enter:

rmdir PATH\TO\FOLDER-NAME

In the command, replace PATH\TO\FOLDER-NAME with the folder path and the folder name to delete. This example removes the “files” folder:

rmdir C:\files

Type the following command to delete folders and subfolders with contents on Windows 11 and press Enter:

rmdir /s PATH\TO\FOLDER-NAME

This example removes the “files” folder, subfolders, and files:

rmdir /s C:\files

Type the following command to delete a folder with content recursively without a confirmation prompt and press Enter:

rmdir /s /q PATH\TO\FOLDER-NAME

This example removes the “files” folder, subfolders, and files without prompting for confirmation:

rmdir /s /q C:\files

The /s option deletes the folder and its content in the above command, but it prompts confirmation. The /q option ignores the prompt and deletes the folder recursively.

Delete folders with subfolders on PowerShell

To recursively delete an entire folder (with subfolders) on PowerShell, use these steps:

  • Open Start.
  • Search for PowerShell, right-click the top result, and select the Run as administrator option.
  • Type the following command to delete an empty folder and press Enter:
  • Remove-Item PATH\TO\FOLDER-NAME
  • In the command, replace PATHTOFOLDER-NAME with the folder path and the folder name to delete. This example removes the “files” folder:
  • Remove-Item C:\files
  • Type the following command to delete a folder with subfolders on Windows 11 and press Enter:
  • Remove-Item -Recurse -Force PATH\TO\FOLDER-NAME
  • This example removes the “files” folder:
  • Remove-Item -Recurse -Force C:\files

After you complete the steps, the command will remove the folder and its contents with or without a prompt, depending on the command.

Open Start.

Search for PowerShell, right-click the top result, and select the Run as administrator option.

Type the following command to delete an empty folder and press Enter:

Remove-Item PATH\TO\FOLDER-NAME

In the command, replace PATHTOFOLDER-NAME with the folder path and the folder name to delete. This example removes the “files” folder:

Remove-Item C:\files

Type the following command to delete a folder with subfolders on Windows 11 and press Enter:

Remove-Item -Recurse -Force PATH\TO\FOLDER-NAME

This example removes the “files” folder:

Remove-Item -Recurse -Force C:\files

The -Recurse option deletes the folder and its contents without prompt confirmation. The -Force option erases special items, including read-only or hidden files, but it’s not required.