How do I delete softlink or symbolic link in Linux operating system using a command prompt?
You can use any one of the following command to remove symbolic links:
- rm - removes each given FILE including symbolic links
- unlink - deletes a single specified file name including symbolic links.
Delete Symbolic Link File
Use the following syntax:
rm linkname unlink linkname
Cd to /tmp
cd /tmp ln -s /etc/resolv.conf dns ls -l dns
Outputs:
lrwxrwxrwx 1 vivek vivek 16 2009-08-16 04:28 dns -> /etc/resolv.conf
Now delete dns symbolic link:
rm dns
OR
unlink dns
Delete Symbolic Link Directory
Use the following syntax:
rm linkDirName unlink linkDirName
Note: Avoid appending / at the end of linkDirName. Cd to /tmp:
cd /tmp ln -s /etc test ls -l test
Sample Output:
lrwxrwxrwx 1 vivek vivek 4 2009-08-16 04:31 test -> /etc
Now delete test symbolic link directory:
rm test
OR
unlink test