Introduction

In this article, we will guide you through the process of deleting files recursively from an S3 bucket in Amazon Web Services (AWS). Deleting files recursively allows you to remove not only the files present in a specified directory but also all the files and subdirectories within it.

Throughout this guide, we will provide step-by-step instructions, discussing the installation and configuration of the AWS CLI, listing objects in the bucket, and deleting files recursively using the aws s3 rm command with the --recursive flag.

Please note that the deletion process is irreversible, so exercising caution is essential. Now, let’s delve into the details and start deleting files recursively from your S3 bucket.

Prerequisites

Before you begin deleting files recursively from an S3 bucket, make sure you have the following:

  1. AWS CLI: Verify if you already have the AWS Command Line Interface (CLI) installed on your system. If not, you can follow the AWS documentation to install it.
  2. AWS CLI Configuration: Once you have installed the AWS CLI, you need to configure it. Open your terminal or command prompt and run the aws configure command. This will prompt you to provide your access key, secret access key, default region, and output format. Make sure you have the necessary credentials and information readily available.
  3. S3 Bucket: You will need access to an S3 bucket from which you want to delete files recursively. Ensure you have the name of the bucket handy, as you will need to specify it in the commands.

By completing these prerequisites, you will have the necessary tools and access to proceed with deleting files recursively from your S3 bucket.

Deleting files recursively from an S3 bucket

Verify files to be deleted using —dry-run

Before deleting files recursively from your S3 bucket, it is always a good practice to verify which files will be affected. The --dry-run option in the aws s3 rm command allows you to perform a dry run of the deletion process, which means it will simulate the deletion without actually removing any files. This allows you to see the list of files that would be deleted, providing an extra layer of precaution.

To use --dry-run, simply add it to your aws s3 rm command. For example:

aws s3 rm s3://your-bucket-name/ --recursive --dry-run

Executing this command will show you a list of files and folders that would be deleted if you were to run the command without --dry-run. This allows you to double-check and confirm that only the intended files and directories will be affected.

By verifying the files to be deleted using --dry-run, you can avoid any unintended deletions and ensure that you are deleting the correct files from your S3 bucket.

Next, we will proceed to the actual deletion of files recursively from your S3 bucket.

Delete files recursively

Once you have reviewed the files that will be deleted using the previous command, you can run the actual delete command.

To delete files recursively from your S3 bucket, you can use the aws s3 rm command with the --recursive flag. This command allows you to remove all files and subdirectories within a specified directory.

Here’s the syntax for deleting files recursively:

aws s3 rm s3://your-bucket-name/ --recursive

Make sure to replace your-bucket-name with the actual name of your S3 bucket.

Deletes S3 bucket and all files

When deleting files recursively from an S3 bucket, it’s important to note that the process only removes the files and subdirectories within the specified directory. It does not delete the parent bucket itself.

If you want to delete the entire bucket along with all its contents, including files, folders, and subdirectories, you can use the aws s3 rb command instead of aws s3 rm.

Here’s the syntax for deleting the bucket and all files:

aws s3 rb s3://your-bucket-name --force

Make sure to replace your-bucket-name with the actual name of your S3 bucket.

The --force flag is necessary to ensure that the bucket is deleted even if it’s not empty.

It’s crucial to exercise caution when using this command as it permanently deletes all data stored in the bucket, and the process is irreversible. Double-check that you have the correct bucket name before executing this command.

Deleting the entire bucket and all its files should be done with careful consideration and only when it’s absolutely necessary.

Conclusion

In this guide, we have explored the process of deleting files recursively from an S3 bucket in AWS. By following the steps outlined, you can effectively remove files and subdirectories within a specified directory, providing a clean slate for your storage.

Throughout the process, it is crucial to exercise caution and double-check the files that will be affected before proceeding with the deletion. The --dry-run option allows you to verify the files to be deleted without actually removing anything, offering an extra layer of precaution.

Remember, once the deletion process is complete, it is irreversible. Therefore, ensure that you have the correct bucket name and that you truly need to delete the files before proceeding.