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rm -r vs rm -rf: delete a folder and its contents safely

What rm -r and rm -rf do, how they differ, how to delete a folder with the least risk, and the mistakes that cause data loss.

rm does not remove folders by default. Add -r to remove a folder and everything inside it. Add -f to skip all questions and ignore missing files. There is no recycle bin, so check the path before you press Enter.

A safer way to delete a folder

  1. Look at what you are about to delete: ls -la foldername.
  2. Delete it with a prompt: rm -rI foldername. It asks once before removing recursively.
  3. Use rm -rf foldername only when you are sure of the exact name.
  4. Never put a variable in the path unless you know it is not empty.

Commands you can copy

Delete a folder and its contents
rm -r foldername
Same, no questions asked
rm -rf foldername
Ask once before deleting
rm -rI foldername
Ask about every file
rm -ri foldername
Delete an empty folder only
rmdir foldername
Remove a file named -foo
rm -- -foo

What the options mean

-r, -R, --recursive
Removes directories and their contents. Without it, rm refuses to delete a folder.
-f, --force
Ignores files that do not exist and never prompts. It is what makes rm -rf silent and fast, and dangerous.
-i and -I
-i prompts before every removal. -I prompts once before removing more than three files or when removing recursively, which is less noisy.
-d, --dir
Removes empty directories, like rmdir.
The root protection
--preserve-root is the default, so rm -rf / is blocked. That protection does not cover everything: a wildcard such as /* or a wrong path is not stopped.
Can I get the files back?
A removed file might be recoverable with special tools, but you should not count on it. GNU rm recommends shred if you need the data gone for good.
Permission denied
You do not own the folder or its parent. Check with ls -ld. Use sudo only if you are certain of the path; see chmod and chown for fixing ownership instead.

Questions about rm -r and rm -rf

What is the difference between rm -r and rm -rf?
-r removes a folder recursively and still asks about some files, such as write-protected ones. -rf never asks and ignores missing files.
How do I delete a folder with the least risk?
Run ls on it first, then rm -rI so you are asked once. Avoid wildcards and unset variables in the path.
Does rm -rf move files to the trash?
No. The files are unlinked immediately and there is no trash.
How do I remove a folder that is not empty with rmdir?
You cannot. rmdir only removes empty folders. Use rm -r.

Updated 2026-10-27

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