How to Delete a Folder in Ubuntu | A Complete Guide for Beginners to Intermediate Users

By 佐川 直弘 | Naohiro Sagawa (運営者)

※記事内に広告を含みます。Amazonアソシエイトとして適格販売により収入を得ています。　

1. Introduction

Ubuntu is a widely used Linux distribution, suitable for beginners and advanced users alike. Deleting a folder (directory) is a fundamental operation, but if done incorrectly, it can lead to data loss or system issues.

This article provides a detailed guide on how to delete folders in Ubuntu, covering essential commands, precautions, troubleshooting methods, and safe data management practices to ensure proper folder deletion.

Target Audience

• Beginners using Ubuntu for the first time
• Users unfamiliar with command-line operations
• Intermediate and advanced users looking for efficient folder management

What You Will Learn

• How to use basic folder deletion commands
• How to troubleshoot permission errors and deletion failures
• How to implement safety measures and backups to prevent accidental deletion

2. Basic Commands for Deleting Folders

2.1 Overview of the rm Command

The rm command is a fundamental command used to delete files and folders. When deleting a folder, specific options must be used.

Basic Syntax

rm [options] file_or_folder_name

Key Options

• -r (recursive): Deletes directories and their contents recursively.
• -f (force): Forces deletion without confirmation.
• -i (interactive): Prompts for confirmation before deletion.
• -v (verbose): Displays the deleted files and folders.

Usage Examples

1. Deleting a non-empty folder

rm -r folder_name

→ Deletes the specified folder along with all its contents.

2. Force deleting a folder

rm -rf folder_name

→ Deletes the folder without confirmation. Be cautious as this increases the risk of accidental deletion.

3. Prompting for confirmation before deletion

rm -ri folder_name

→ Asks for confirmation before deleting each file or subfolder, allowing for safer operations.

2.2 Overview of the rmdir Command

The rmdir command is a simple command used to delete empty directories only.

Basic Syntax

rmdir folder_name

Usage Example

1. Deleting an empty folder

rmdir testfolder

→ Deletes the empty folder “testfolder.”

Important Notes

• If the folder contains files or subdirectories, an error will occur.

rmdir: failed to remove 'testfolder': Directory not empty

• For non-empty folders, use rm -r instead.

Summary

This section covered the rm and rmdir commands used for deleting folders in Ubuntu.

Key Takeaways:

• The rm command is widely used for deleting files and folders, with options that allow for flexible operations.
• The rmdir command is limited to empty folders, making it useful for specific cases.

3. Practical Guide: Steps and Troubleshooting

3.1 How to Delete an Empty Folder

To delete an empty folder, use the rmdir command. This command only works if the folder contains no files.

Steps

1. Open the terminal.
2. Run the command:

rmdir testfolder

3. Verify that the folder has been deleted.

ls

Important Notes

• If the folder is not empty, an error will occur.

rmdir: failed to remove 'testfolder': Directory not empty

• If an error occurs, use the rm -r command instead.

3.2 How to Delete a Folder with Contents

To delete a folder that contains files or subfolders, use the rm -r command.

Steps

1. Open the terminal.
2. Run the command:

rm -r testfolder

3. Verify that the folder has been deleted.

ls

Safety Measures

Use the confirmation option to perform the deletion safely:

rm -ri testfolder

Force Deletion

If the folder cannot be deleted or an error occurs, use the following command:

sudo rm -rf testfolder

3.3 Handling Folders That Cannot Be Deleted

If a folder cannot be deleted, possible reasons include:

1. Insufficient Permissions

• Error message:

rm: cannot remove 'testfolder': Permission denied

• Solution:

sudo rm -r testfolder

2. Locked Files Inside the Folder

• Solution: Terminate the locked file’s process.

lsof | grep filename
kill process_ID

3. Folder is a Mount Point

• Error message:

Device or resource busy

• Solution: Unmount the folder.

sudo umount mount_point

4. Permission Errors and Solutions

4.1 Causes of Permission Errors

In Ubuntu, file and folder access permissions are controlled to restrict operations to specific users or groups. If you encounter a permission error while deleting a folder, it is likely due to insufficient privileges.

Example Error Message

rm: cannot remove 'folder_name': Permission denied

Common Causes

1. You are not the owner of the folder.
2. You lack write or execute permissions.
3. The folder is currently being used by the system (locked by a process).

4.2 Solutions for Permission Errors

1. Check Folder Permissions

Run the following command to check the folder’s permissions:

ls -ld folder_name

2. Modify Folder Permissions

Grant write permissions to the folder:

sudo chmod u+w folder_name

To grant full permissions to all users (use with caution):

sudo chmod 777 folder_name

3. Change Folder Ownership

Change the folder’s ownership to the current user:

sudo chown $USER:$USER folder_name

4. Use sudo for Deletion

Execute the deletion command with administrative privileges:

sudo rm -r folder_name

4.3 Handling Locked Folders

If a folder is being used by another process, you may need to unlock it before deletion.

1. Identify the Process Using the Folder

lsof | grep folder_name

2. Terminate the Process

kill process_ID

Or force termination with administrative privileges:

sudo kill -9 process_ID

3. Unmount the Folder (if it is a mount point)

sudo umount mount_point

Summary

This section covered common permission errors and solutions when deleting folders in Ubuntu.

Key Takeaways:

• Check error messages and adjust permissions or ownership accordingly.
• Using sudo can grant administrative privileges but should be used cautiously.
• For locked folders, identify and terminate related processes before deletion.

5. Deleting Folders Using GUI (Graphical Interface)

If you are unfamiliar with command-line operations, you can delete folders using Ubuntu’s graphical user interface (GUI). This method is intuitive and recommended for beginners.

5.1 Deleting a Folder Using File Manager

1. Open the File Manager

• Click the “Activities” menu and search for “Files.”
• Alternatively, use the shortcut Super (Windows key) + E.

1. Select the Folder You Want to Delete

• Navigate to the folder’s location.

1. Delete the Folder

• Right-click the folder and select “Move to Trash.”
• Alternatively, press the Delete key while the folder is selected.

1. Permanently Delete the Folder (Without Moving to Trash)

• Select the folder and press Shift + Delete.
• A confirmation dialog will appear—click “Delete” to proceed.

Important Notes

• Using Shift + Delete will permanently delete the folder without moving it to Trash. Use with caution.

5.2 Restoring Deleted Folders from Trash

If you accidentally delete a folder and it is still in the Trash, you can easily restore it.

1. Open the Trash

• Go to the “Trash” folder via the desktop or File Manager.

1. Restore the Folder

• Right-click the folder and select “Restore.”
• The folder will be returned to its original location.

Important Notes

• Once you empty the Trash, the deleted folder cannot be restored.

5.3 Handling Folders That Cannot Be Deleted

1. Check Folder Permissions

• Right-click the folder and select “Properties.”
• Go to the “Permissions” tab and adjust settings if necessary.

2. Open File Manager with Administrative Privileges

1. Open the terminal.
2. Run the following command:

sudo nautilus

3. A file manager window with admin privileges will open, allowing you to delete the folder.

Summary

This section covered how to delete folders using Ubuntu’s GUI.

Key Takeaways:

• File Manager provides an intuitive way to manage folders, making it ideal for users unfamiliar with command-line operations.
• Using Trash allows for easy recovery in case of accidental deletion, but permanent deletion requires caution.
• For permission-related issues, you can adjust access rights or use administrative privileges.

6. Recovering Deleted Folders and Data Management

This section explains how to recover accidentally deleted folders and provides best practices for data management. By understanding these recovery methods, you can minimize the impact of accidental deletions.

6.1 Recovering Folders from Trash

Folders deleted via the GUI are usually moved to the Trash, making them easy to restore.

Steps

1. Open the File Manager.
2. Navigate to the “Trash” from the sidebar.
3. Right-click the folder you want to restore and select “Restore.”
4. The folder will be returned to its original location.

Important Notes

• If the Trash has been emptied, the folder cannot be recovered through this method.

6.2 Recovering Deleted Folders via Command Line

Folders deleted using the rm command do not go to the Trash and are immediately removed from the system. However, recovery may still be possible using specialized tools.

Recovery Tools

1. TestDisk

• A powerful recovery tool that scans file systems and helps recover deleted data.
• Installation

sudo apt install testdisk

Usage

sudo testdisk

• Follow the on-screen instructions to select the disk and scan for deleted files.

1. PhotoRec (bundled with TestDisk)

• Best suited for recovering specific file types such as images and documents.
• Run the command

sudo photorec

Important Notes

• Once data is overwritten, recovery becomes significantly harder. Act quickly if a file is deleted by mistake.

6.3 Preventing Data Loss with Backup Strategies

1. Setting Up Automated Backups

To prevent data loss, it’s recommended to set up regular backups.

• Using rsync for backups

rsync -av --delete /home/user/Documents/ /backup/Documents/

→ Syncs a specific folder to a backup location.

• Using Cloud Storage
• Google Drive, Dropbox, and other cloud services provide reliable backup solutions.

2. Implementing Version Control

• Using Git or Other Version Control Systems allows tracking changes to files and restoring previous versions if needed.

3. Utilizing the Trash Mechanism

• To move deleted items to the Trash even from the command line, install trash-cli.

Installation

sudo apt install trash-cli

Move files to the Trash

trash-put folder_name

View Trash contents

trash-list

Restore from Trash

trash-restore

Summary

This section covered recovery options for deleted folders and best practices for data protection.

Key Takeaways:

• Using Trash ensures easy recovery of deleted files.
• Command-line deletions can be recovered using tools like TestDisk or PhotoRec.
• Regular backups and version control reduce the risk of irreversible data loss.

7. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

This section provides answers to common questions about deleting folders in Ubuntu, helping users troubleshoot issues and operate safely.

Q1. Can I recover a folder deleted using the rm command?

A1. Generally, no. The rm command immediately removes files and folders without moving them to Trash.

Solutions:

• Use testdisk or photorec to attempt recovery.
• Consider installing trash-cli to enable a safer deletion method.

Q2. I get a “Permission denied” error when deleting a folder. What should I do?

A2. This means you lack sufficient permissions.

Solutions:

1. Check the folder’s permissions:

ls -ld folder_name

2. Modify permissions:

sudo chmod u+w folder_name

3. Delete with administrative privileges:

sudo rm -r folder_name

Q3. A folder is “in use” and cannot be deleted. How can I fix this?

A3. Another process may be using the folder.

Solutions:

1. Check which process is using the folder:

lsof | grep folder_name

2. Terminate the process:

kill process_ID

Summary

This section answered common questions regarding folder deletion in Ubuntu.

Key Takeaways:

• To prevent accidental deletions, consider using trash-cli or version control.
• Permission errors and locked folders can be resolved with the appropriate commands.
• Recovery tools offer a chance to retrieve deleted files, but prevention is key.

8. Conclusion

This article provided a comprehensive guide on deleting folders in Ubuntu, covering basic commands, troubleshooting, recovery, and safety measures.

Key Points

• Understand and use rm and rmdir correctly.
• Use permission-related commands to resolve access issues.
• Leverage GUI tools for a user-friendly experience.
• Backup and version control strategies are essential for preventing data loss.

By following these best practices, you can confidently manage and delete folders in Ubuntu.