Hello I am trying to write a simple script that will del /s all *.mp3 files from within a directory but exclude a single folder from having its *.mp3 deleted. How can I exclude this directory. Thank you Steve

Can't you move that folder out of that directory before the del/s command, and then move it back?

Hi Alexanrs Not really because the I am going to be using the script against 1000's users home drives to delete media type files. The folder that I am trying to exclude is to be a safe folder that we won't delete media files from. Thank you Steve

Depends on the version of DOS. ===================================== If at first you don't succeed, you're about average. M2

I think DEL doesn't delete files if they are flagged as read-only, so you can set the attribute in the beggining of the script and then reset it in the end, like: ----------- Beggining -------------- @ECHO OFF :: This example suposes your first parameter is :: the relative path to the folder to be deleted :: and the second is the relative path (from the :: the target folder) of the one to be excluded :: Notice that this will only work if the folders :: are in the working drive, if not, you'll :: have to specify full paths IF NOT EXIST %1\NUL GOTO ERROR CD %1 IF NOT EXIST %2\NUL GOTO ERROR ECHO Starting up the deletion process ECHO. * Setting attributes attrib %1\*.mp3 -r -s -h > NUL attrib %2\*.mp3 +r > NUL ECHO. * Deleting files del /s %1\*.mp3 ECHO. * Reseting attributes attrib %2\*.mp3 -r > NUL ECHO. ECHO Operation completed! ECHO. GOTO END :ERROR ECHO Parameters: ECHO. Param1 -> target folder ECHO. Param2 -> folder to be ignored ECHO. GOTO END :END ------- By the way, you are either using XP (since MS-DOS' command.com do not suport del/s) or your clients are using something like 4DOS or some other enhanced shell)

I seem to recall the ATTRIB command can also be used with folders/directories. However expanding on Mechanix' advice, some commands function differently depending on the version of dos it came with. Good Luck - Keep us posted.