# Windows: How do I delete a folder, without deleting the contents? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 30, 2014, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-how-do-i-delete-a-folder-without-deleting-the-contents/684912 "2014-03-30T16:47:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Lord\_Mondegreen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/91b2a8/32.png) [@Lord\_Mondegreen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Mondegreen)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2014, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-how-do-i-delete-a-folder-without-deleting-the-contents/684912/21 "2014-03-31T03:27:36Z")
> [@ThisUsernameIsForbidden](#): > > It would only seem that much overkill to a complete dolt. Do you honestly think your solution is easier than the two-step process of moving the files then deleting the folder? You have _got_ to be kidding. ---
**Author:** ![ThisUsernameIsForbidden](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b4bc9f/32.png) [@ThisUsernameIsForbidden](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThisUsernameIsForbidden)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2014, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-how-do-i-delete-a-folder-without-deleting-the-contents/684912/22 "2014-03-31T04:18:36Z")
> [@Lord\_Mondegreen](#): > > Do you honestly think your solution is easier than the two-step process of moving the files then deleting the folder? You have _got_ to be kidding. It’s easier if you do it a lot, and can be a rewarding learning experience. So EXCUUUuuUUSE _ME_! ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2014, 6:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-how-do-i-delete-a-folder-without-deleting-the-contents/684912/23 "2014-03-31T06:57:27Z")
> [@Lord\_Mondegreen](#): > > Do you honestly think your solution is easier than the two-step process of moving the files then deleting the folder? You have _got_ to be kidding. (Re: Writing a batch file (or any sort of script), then editing the Registry to add it to the context menu.) Depends if this is something the OP envisions doing a lot. If it’s just a one-time thing, or a very occasional thing, fuhgeddaboudit. If it’s something he need to do often (don’t even ask why), then this sounds useful. In fact, I’d like to know how to do that myself. Not for this specific problem, but how, in general, to write a script or program and then edit the Registry to create a new context menu item that runs my new command. Is there a web site with a tutorial on such arcana? ---
**Author:** ![Stealth\_Bragg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4bbf92/32.png) [@Stealth\_Bragg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stealth_Bragg)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2014, 7:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-how-do-i-delete-a-folder-without-deleting-the-contents/684912/24 "2014-03-31T07:54:11Z")
I googled “registry key right click context menu” and got this: > **[How to Add Menu Items Under the Right-Click or Context Menu](https://www.tech-recipes.com/windows/how-to-add-menu-items-under-right-click-or-context-menu/)** > > This tutorial explains how to add programs to the right-click menu. Note: I will be adding a link for command.com or a DOS prompt since that is what was specifically requested, but any application can be added in similar fashion. Right-click on... a batch file would likely say something like “move _._ …” where two ellipses refer to the parent directory… That should get you started 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![bob\_2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bob_2/32/3341_2.png) [@bob\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bob_2)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2014, 9:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-how-do-i-delete-a-folder-without-deleting-the-contents/684912/25 "2014-03-31T09:26:32Z")
I thin of folders as wrappers containing files. Files may also be wrappers containing documents, pictures or anything else. Of course it gets more complex when we can have folders full of folders full of… files. ---
**Author:** ![engineer\_comp\_geek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/engineer_comp_geek/32/504_2.png) [@engineer\_comp\_geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/engineer_comp_geek)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2014, 12:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-how-do-i-delete-a-folder-without-deleting-the-contents/684912/26 "2014-03-31T12:28:07Z")
**Moderator Note** > [@ThisUsernameIsForbidden](#): > > It would only seem that much overkill to a complete dolt. While you did not explicitly insult the previous poster with this, it does come off as calling the poster a dolt. Personal insults are not permitted outside of the Pit. No warning issued, but don’t do this again. ---
**Author:** ![ThisUsernameIsForbidden](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b4bc9f/32.png) [@ThisUsernameIsForbidden](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThisUsernameIsForbidden)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2014, 12:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-how-do-i-delete-a-folder-without-deleting-the-contents/684912/27 "2014-03-31T12:45:14Z")
> [@engineer\_comp\_geek](#): > > **Moderator Note** > > While you did not explicitly insult the previous poster with this, it does come off as calling the poster a dolt. Personal insults are not permitted outside of the Pit. > > No warning issued, but don’t do this again. No it doesn’t. ---
**Author:** ![Keeve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f07891/32.png) [@Keeve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Keeve)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2014, 1:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-how-do-i-delete-a-folder-without-deleting-the-contents/684912/28 "2014-03-31T13:21:52Z")
> [@ThisUsernameIsForbidden](#): > > No it doesn’t. You’re entitled to your opinion, but let it be known that it sounded to me the same way that it sounded to **engineer\_comp\_geek**. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2014, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-how-do-i-delete-a-folder-without-deleting-the-contents/684912/29 "2014-03-31T14:49:21Z")
> [@ThisUsernameIsForbidden](#): > > So EXCUUUuuUUSE _ME_! > [@ThisUsernameIsForbidden](#): > > No it doesn’t. **Moderator Note** Yes, it does. **ThisUsernameIsForbidden** , you’re new here and may not be familiar with our rules. You would be well advised to dial back on the snark here and elsewhere. Also, if you wish to dispute any moderator action, you should do so in ATMB rather than in the thread. Further remarks of this kind may be subject to an official warning. Colibri General Questions Moderator ---
**Author:** ![HumanMonkeyGod](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c67d28/32.png) [@HumanMonkeyGod](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HumanMonkeyGod)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2014, 8:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-how-do-i-delete-a-folder-without-deleting-the-contents/684912/30 "2014-04-03T08:21:47Z")
Once upon a time, when I used to use Windows, I often needed to shift directory contents up a level and used a context-menu based application called Levelzap. [http://levelzap.codeplex.com/](http://levelzap.codeplex.com/) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-how-do-i-delete-a-folder-without-deleting-the-contents/684912.md?page=1)