I would like a batch file that will delete sub-directories and the files contained in them, but it should keep the most recent 10 directories. example- c:\test\ directory containing sub-directories named jan012004, jan022004 . . . jan102004. In the event of a new dir being added to c:test\ ie - jan112004; jan012004 should be deleted by the batch program. However if no new sub directory is added ie jan112004 the oldest sub directory should not be deleted by the batch program ie jan012004. I have been looking everywhere for something like this to help out and I would appreciate any assistance! Thanks to all in advance.

First decide if it needs to work in DOS. ===================================== If at first you don't succeed, you're about average. M2

No, I need it for XP, but my belief was that dos and the XP "dos" are similar (though they have their few differences). I would need this program to work on XP. Please advise. -Thanks

@echo off setLocal EnableDelayedExpansion pushd c:\test for /f "tokens=* skip=10" %%F in ('dir /b/o-d/ad') do echo rd /s /q %%F ===================================== If at first you don't succeed, you're about average. M2

Wouldn't that command delete the most recent backups (if there are more than 10) I would like a batch to delete all the oldest backups, leaving the most recent 10. Also, what does the pushd command do? Below I have posted my code so far, please take a look and correct as necessary ... This code runs, but doesn't delete anything for some reason ... @echo off :: Set backup folder path set bup="C:\Data Backup" cd %bup% pause :loop dir %bup% /AD /B /ON>templist echo set /p folder2del=<templist pause call :deleter %folder2del% goto :eof :deleter echo for /f "tokens=* skip=10" %%T in (templist) do echo ATTRIB %1\*.* -R -A -S -H echo rd /s /q %1 pause goto :loop :eof del templist del # pause ------------- The next code works, but it doesn't progress to the :eof line to delete the temporary files ... @echo on :: Set backup folder path @set bup="C:\Data Backup" @cd %bup% :loop @dir %bup% /AD /B /ON>templist @set /p folder2del=<templist @call :deleter %folder2del% @goto :eof :deleter dir %bup% /AD |find "Dir(s)"># pause for /f "tokens=1" %%T in (#) do if '%%T'=='12' goto :eof @pause ATTRIB %1\*.* -R -A -S -H @pause echo rd /s /q %1 @pause rd /s /q %1 pause goto :loop :eof del templist del # pause ---------- thanks!

"Wouldn't that command delete the most recent backups" No; it deletes the oldest, in excess of 10. Did you try it? pushd c:\test changes directory and 'remembers where it started'. ===================================== If at first you don't succeed, you're about average. M2