How to Delete node_modules - Deep Nested Folder in Windows

Question

Upon trying to remove the node_modules directory created by npm install:

The source file name(s) are larger than is su

Answer 1

I just do del node_modules inside my project folder on PowerShell, it will ask you if you want to remove it and its children folder, just hit 'Y' and that's it

Answer 2

I made a Windows context item to fast delete node_modules or other folders. I use it when Windows doesn't delete a folder because of some invalid chars in the directory path.

HOW TO INSTALL?

1. Install rimraf => npm install rimraf -g

2. Create a new file named delete.bat, set the content as below and copy it into c:\windows\system32\

   delete.bat:

 @ECHO OFF
 ECHO.
 ECHO %CD% 
 ECHO.
 ECHO Are you sure to delete the folder with Rimraf?
 PAUSE
 SET FOLDER=%CD%
 CD /

 rimraf "%FOLDER%"

 rem DEL /F/Q/S "%FOLDER%" > NUL
 rem RMDIR /Q/S "%FOLDER%"

 EXIT

3. Run fast-delete.reg file to import into registry.

   Done!

Answer 3

Not exactly related, but as this is the first post I found in my search for a similar solution I think it's worth posting here.

I was running into permission issues on Windows 10 trying to delete my node_modules folder after a failed attempt at installing electron-redux. It seems electron-redux added @types to my node_modules, which had incorrect permissions set up.

rimraf did not work as it still ran into permission issues.

I ended up renaming node_modules then a simple delete worked.

Answer 4

Its too easy.

Just delete all folders inside node_modules and then delete actual node_module folder.

This Works for me. Best luck....

Answer 5

Any file manager allow to avoid such issues, e.g Far Manager

Answer 6

Sometimes, even if you install rimraf globally you can have a local rimraf dependency (SASS usually have it). In this case I would run following commands:

Follow first 2 steps as usagidon recommended, if you have issues or errors try

npm uninstall rimraf & rimraf node_modules

this will delete local rimraf and use the global one