How to delete all folder shortcuts and file shortcuts using windows command line?

Question

I have a folder that contains lots of files and some folder/file shortcuts. I want to deletes these shortcuts (recursively) but I don't know how coz shortcuts don't have file extension (not sure true or not). May I know what command I can use to achieve this?

I suppose the windows command should be like this:

delete /S *.fileshortcut

By the way, is there difference between a file shortcut and folder shortcut?

Solution

If you do not want to delete the contents of a folder shortcut, right click it, go to properties and delete the target. That should leave you with a new shortcut that goes to my computer. Then you can safely delete that new one as its not pointing to any contents.

Comments

[dtbnguyen]

You don't need the command line to do this if that's what you're thinking. Open up Windows Explorer. Type in 'type:shortcut' in the search filter box. Select all and delete. No difference between file and folder shortcut as you'll soon see.

[Biswapriyo]

Say the folder is C:\test. Command:: for /R "C:\test" %x in ( *.lnk ) do (del /f /q %x ). Run it as admin.

[Keith Miller]

The OP was asking for Command line methods.

[Braden Dodge]

That's true, but that doesn't make this method any less useful, especially if the op decides this method is more effective. Let's not forget the purpose of Q&A, to solve a problem

[Keith Miller]

True, so maybe look for problems more current than 2015 :D

[Braden Dodge]

Jeez I guess I didn't notice it was that old

[Keith Miller]

LOL. I did the same thing when I started checking these forums.