Unable to delete zip files from DB server location using xp_cmdshell

Question

I have a Zip file created and I am unable to delete it using the below command.

xp_cmdshell 'rm "F:\EXIS\Reports\Individual.zip"'

It gives an error saying File not found, when I can actually see the file.

I tried using xp_cmdshell 'del "F:\EXIS\Reports\Individual.zip"'

But, this asks for a confirmation, which I actually cannot input.

Please suggest if anything,

Thanks.

"when I can actually see the file" - *Where* can you see it? The server doesn't necessarily have the same drive mappings as you do; it may not know anything about `F:\` at all. — Ken White, Nov 11 '13 at 07:24
@KenWhite : I can see the file in server location only. I an able to delete other files of others types which are in the same location. — Pavan Kumar, Nov 11 '13 at 07:44

score 1 · Answer 1 · answered Nov 11 '13 at 07:22

1

Try executing delin silent mode like:

xp_cmdshell 'del /Q "F:\EXIS\Reports\Individual.zip"'

And also: if SQL Server is running on a different machine the path must of course be valid for that machine.

answered Nov 11 '13 at 07:22

jpw

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Hi, I get the below message on using the answer u suggested. `Could Not Find F:\EXIS\Reports\Individual.zip` – Pavan Kumar Nov 11 '13 at 07:50

bjnr · Accepted Answer · 2013-11-11T08:26:23.123

1

The message is more generic in the sense the file is not found with the current credentials of SQL Server process while accessing the indicated location.

I suspect it is a problem of rights, so please assure the SQL Server proecess has rights to delete file in that location. An alternative suggestion is to perform a "dir" on that location.

edited Nov 11 '13 at 08:26

answered Nov 11 '13 at 08:14

bjnr

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Thanks for the "dir" idea. Zip file name was different. So was not deleting. – Pavan Kumar Nov 11 '13 at 08:23

Darshil Prajapati · Answer 3 · 2015-01-24T06:54:41.023

--change server configuration like : --Script to enable the XP_CMDSHELL -- To allow advanced options to be changed.

EXEC sp_configure 'show advanced options', 1 GO

-- To update the currently configured value for advanced options.

RECONFIGURE GO

-- To enable the feature.

EXEC sp_configure 'xp_cmdshell', 1 GO

-- To update the currently configured value for this feature.

RECONFIGURE GO;

  DECLARE  @BackUpPath varchar(255) ,@sqlQuery varchar(255)

  Set @BackUpPath='D:\All DB BackUp\TestDB.bak'

  IF dbo.fn_FileExists(@BackUpPath)=1 
  BEGIN

     SET @sqlQuery='DEL /Q "' + @BackUpPath + '"';

     PRINT @sqlQuery

     EXEC master..xp_cmdshell @sqlQuery

     IF dbo.fn_FileExists(@BackUpPath)=0

     BEGIN    

     PRINT 'File Deleted'

     END

     ELSE

     BEGIN    

     PRINT 'File not Deleted'

     END 

   END

IF @BackUpPath contains space , you must type your path like "your path"

Unable to delete zip files from DB server location using xp_cmdshell

3 Answers3