How to delete files in Visual Studio Pre-build event command line

Question

I am trying to delete files in my $(TargetDir) within visual studio before building a project.

How do you have to format command line to get around this problem I am getting below?

Answer 1

Try

cd $(TargetDir)
del *.tif

As jvenema pointed out, your $(TargetDir) is expanding into a path containing spaces in the folder names which is breaking the delete command.

Answer 2

I ended up using rd /s /q "$(TargetDir)" to clean out the directory. As far as I know it is working.

Answer 3

Try adding quotes around the directory.

Answer 4

You have to write del "$(TargetDir)*.tif" because of spaces in directory path.

Answer 5

Old question but a couple of things:

del "$(TargetDir)*.tif" /q

1) /q is for quiet. Otherwise, del cmd prompts "... Are you sure (Y/N)?" which the build does not like.

2) As many have pointed out, "" around the targetDir for possible space in the target directory.

Answer 6

wmic process where name='chromedriver.exe' delete