Automatically Delete BAK Files

[jsr13]

I'm only vaguely familiar with batch files, but I remember hearing some time ago that you can create a batch file that can be run each night to delete all of the BAK files on the server each night before our backup routine is run to cut down on the size of the backup. It would need to be able to delete files in the subfolders on our Projects server.
I feel like this should be a very simple thing, but not having the background with batch files makes the websites I've found dealing with them a bit confusing.


Can anyone help??

Thanks in advance!!!

[RobertAitken]

I'm only vaguely familiar with batch files, but I remember hearing some time ago that you can create a batch file that can be run each night to delete all of the BAK files on the server each night before our backup routine is run to cut down on the size of the backup. It would need to be able to delete files in the subfolders on our Projects server.
I feel like this should be a very simple thing, but not having the background with batch files makes the websites I've found dealing with them a bit confusing.


Can anyone help??

Thanks in advance!!!

Yep. No problems.

Change to the drive you want the bak files deleted from e.g. T:

Batch file should read

t:
cd\
Echo Now eleting all BAK files on drive T:
del *.bak /s /a


That's about it

Or you could run a find/search on the drive in question. CTRL-A then press the del key.

HTH

Robert Aitken

[jsr13]

Ok - I just set up a set of test directories, populated them with BAK files, & created the batch file. I ran it & the files are still there. The prompt was there & gone so quick that I couldn't see what was happening, but the files remain. This is the file:

\\SPC_SERVER1\Jobs\jeff\test
cd\
REM Echo Now eleting all BAK files on \\SPC_SERVER1\Jobs\jeff\test:
del *.bak /s /a

Any ideas?

[Lemons]

Ok - I just set up a set of test directories, populated them with BAK files, & created the batch file. I ran it & the files are still there. The prompt was there & gone so quick that I couldn't see what was happening, but the files remain. This is the file:

\\SPC_SERVER1\Jobs\jeff\test
cd\
REM Echo Now eleting all BAK files on \\SPC_SERVER1\Jobs\jeff\test:
del *.bak /s /a

Any ideas?

Go to your command prompt and type the commands one at a time and see what you get.

[rkmcswain]

Ok - I just set up a set of test directories, populated them with BAK files, & created the batch file. I ran it & the files are still there. The prompt was there & gone so quick that I couldn't see what was happening, but the files remain. This is the file:

\\SPC_SERVER1\Jobs\jeff\test
cd\
REM Echo Now eleting all BAK files on \\SPC_SERVER1\Jobs\jeff\test:
del *.bak /s /a

Any ideas?

I'm not in front of a M$ network at the moment, but I believe you will have to map a drive letter first. I don't think you can use UNC paths at the command prompt.

net use Z: \\SPC_SERVER\Jobs\
---do you stuff here --
net use z: /delete

Let us know....

[pnorman]

No, the CMD.exe does not support UNC paths! Bummer!

You can add:
pause

to your batch file if you want to see what the window that flashes up faster than you can say "delete my .bak's"
you will need to be there to "press any key to continue" though so maybe just use it for testing....

good luck

[jsr13]

Ok - tomorrow I'm going to 'pause' the batch file, I'm going to change it to the 'J:' drive (which is where it's mapped), and go through the commands one-by-one.
I didn't realize that was a limitation of CMD.EXE.
Will let all of you know how it goes in the morning!

[RobertAitken]

Jeff,

Map a drive to the server area (SPC_SERVER1Jobsjefftest) change to that drive and delete the bak files.

net use Z: SPC_SERVER1Jobsjefftest
z:
cd\
del *.bak /s /a
:disconnect
net use z: /d
if exist z:\*.* goto disconnect


Sometimes the net use command can throw a wobbly and not disconnect the drive when requested. The loop just makes sure it keeps trying until it has disconnected.

Hopefully that will work

Robert

[rtorres]

I would just ...

Open NOTEPAD and copy & paste this....


delete c:\my-folder\*.bak
delete d:\ANOTHER-folder\*.bak
delete e:\yet-another-folder\*.bak
delete f:\and-noe-more-folder\*.bak



Now save it as ...... CLEAN-BAK.BAT ......... in c:\my-folder

Now go to START> SETTINGS> CONTROL PANEL>SCHEDULED TASKS
Point to the file and have it run as YOU see fit.

(Obviously, edit the folder names & drive letters for your use)

Hope that helps

[Robert.Hall]

I would just ...

Open NOTEPAD and copy & paste this....


delete c:\my-folder\*.bak
delete d:\ANOTHER-folder\*.bak
delete e:\yet-another-folder\*.bak
delete f:\and-noe-more-folder\*.bak



Now save it as ...... CLEAN-BAK.BAT ......... in c:\my-folder

Now go to START> SETTINGS> CONTROL PANEL>SCHEDULED TASKS
Point to the file and have it run as YOU see fit.

(Obviously, edit the folder names & drive letters for your use)

Hope that helps

Great tip, thanks for posting.