Delete a folder from a SharePoint list

Folders in SharePoint lists are an efficient way to group and manage your content, such as grouping inventory items or employees by department. When you no longer need a folder, you can delete it from your SharePoint list.

Updated on January 25, 2017 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 folder in a SharePoint Online list

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 list and hover over the folder 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 a folder in a SharePoint Classic experience list.

   

   To delete multiple folders, 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 folder.

   

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

   

Delete a folder in a SharePoint classic experience list

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.

In SharePoint classic mode there is no Top Link bar.

1. Open the SharePoint list where you want to delete folders.

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

3. Right-click a folder icon and then click Delete.

   

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

   

Delete a folder in a SharePoint 2016 or SharePoint 2013 list

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 list for which you want to delete the folder.

2. Click the name of the list on the Quick Launch, or click Settings , and then click Site contents, and then look for and click the name of the 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. Click the ellipsis (...) on the row you want to delete, and click Delete or Delete Item. If you don't see Delete, or Delete Item, click the ellipsis (...) on the dialog, and then click Delete.

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

   

Delete a folder in a SharePoint 2010 list

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 site containing the SharePoint library or list for which you want to delete the folder.

2. Click the name of the library or list on the Quick Launch, or click Site Actions, click View All Site Content, and then in the appropriate libraries or lists 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 folder you want to delete by hovering over the selection column, and then clicking the check box.

4. In the ribbon, under the List Tools section, on the Items tab, in the Manage group, click Delete Item.

Delete a folder in a SharePoint 2007 list

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 list is not already open, click its name on the Quick Launch.

2. Point to the 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

Create a folder in a SharePoint document library

Create a folder in a SharePoint list

Create a folder in a SharePoint document library

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