Delete a file, folder, or link from a SharePoint document library

You can delete files, folders, or links in your SharePoint document library that you don't need anymore, such as old content or obsolete folders.

Note: Links are only available in SharePoint Online.

Updated on January 25, 2016 thanks to customer feedback.

Note: These steps are for unmodified versions of SharePoint. If your administrator or company has customized your app, you may not see these options.

Online 2016, 2013 2010 2007 Help me choose

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Delete a file, folder, or link in SharePoint Online

Important: When you delete a folder, it deletes the folder and any files or subfolders it contains. Consider moving or archiving the contents of the folder before deleting it. You or your administrator might be able to recover a folder and its contents from the Recycle Bin.

1. In SharePoint Online, open the document library and hover over the item you want to delete, and click the check mark.

   Note: Does your screen look different than this and you're using SharePoint Online? Your administrator may have SharePoint Classic experience set on the document library. If so, see Deleting items in a SharePoint Classic experience library.

   

   To delete multiple items, repeat this step. You can delete as many items as you want.

2. Click Delete on the Top Link bar.

   

3. In the Delete dialog box, click Delete to remove the item.

4. You'll see the status box appear in the upper top of the document library telling you that the item has been deleted.

   

Restore deleted content in the Recycle Bin of a SharePoint site

Upload a folder or files to a document library

Delete a file, folder, or link in SharePoint classic experience

In classic experience there is no Top Link bar. Here's how to delete items.

Important: When you delete a folder, it deletes the folder and any files or subfolders it contains. Consider moving or archiving the contents of the folder before deleting it. You or your administrator might be able to recover a folder and its contents from the Recycle Bin.

1. Open the SharePoint document library where you want to delete items.

2. Select one or more items that you want to delete by hovering over the folder and then clicking the check box.

3. Right-click a file, folder, or link icon and then click Delete.

   

4. In the Delete confirmation dialog box, click OK.

   

Restore deleted content in the Recycle Bin of a SharePoint site

Upload a folder or files to a document library

Delete a file or folder in SharePoint Server 2016 or SharePoint Server 2013

Important: When you delete a folder, it deletes the folder and any files or subfolders it contains. Consider moving or archiving the contents of the folder before deleting it. You or your administrator might be able to recover a folder and its contents from the Recycle Bin.

1. Navigate to theSharePoint site containing the library for which you want to delete the item.

2. Click the name of the library on the Quick Launch bar, or click Settings , and then click Site contents, and then look for and click the name of the library.

   Note: Designers can modify the appearance or navigation of a site significantly. If you cannot locate an option, such as a command, button, or link, contact your administrator.

3. Click the ellipses (...) on the row you want to delete, and click Delete or Delete Item. If you don't see Delete, or Delete Item, click the ellipses (...) on the dialog, and then click Delete.

4. In the confirmation dialog, click Ok or Delete.

   

Delete a file or folder in SharePoint Server 2010

Important: When you delete a folder, it deletes the folder and any files or subfolders it contains. Consider moving or archiving the contents of the folder before deleting it. You or your administrator might be able to recover a folder and its contents from the Recycle Bin.

1. Navigate to the SharePoint site containing the library for which you want to delete the file or folder.

2. Click the name of the library on the Quick Launch bar, or click Site Actions, click View All Site Content, and then in the appropriate libraries section, click the name of the library or list.

   Note:  Designers can modify the appearance or navigation of a site significantly. If you cannot locate an option, such as a command, button, or link, contact your administrator.

3. Select the item you want to delete by hovering over the selection column, and then clicking the check box.

4. In the ribbon, under the Library Tools section, on the Documents or Items tab, in the Manage group, click Delete Document or Delete Item.

Delete a file or folder in SharePoint Server 2007

Important: When you delete a folder, it deletes the folder and any files or subfolders it contains. Consider moving or archiving the contents of the folder before deleting it. You or your administrator might be able to recover a folder and its contents from the Recycle Bin.

1. If the SharePoint library is not already open, click its name on the Quick Launch bar.

2. Point to the file or folder name, click the arrow that appears, and then click Delete Item.

Which version of SharePoint are you using?

If you're not sure which version of SharePoint you have, see Which version of SharePoint am I using?.

Other topics of interest

Move or copy a folder, file, or link in a document library

Create a folder in a SharePoint document library

Create a folder in a SharePoint list

Delete a folder from a SharePoint list

Restore deleted content in the Recycle Bin of a SharePoint site

Upload files to a library

Introduction to libraries

Use a mobile device to work with SharePoint Online sites

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