DeleteFile

Overview

Group

Quick Info

Windows NT
Yes
Win95
Yes
Win32s
Yes
Import Library
kernel32.lib
Header File
winbase.h
Unicode
WinNT
Platform Notes
None

The DeleteFile function deletes an existing file.

BOOL DeleteFile(

LPCTSTR lpFileName	// pointer to name of file to delete
);

Parameters
lpFileName

Points to a null-terminated string that specifies the file to be deleted.

Return Values
If the function succeeds, the return value is nonzero.

If the function fails, the return value is zero. To get extended error information, call GetLastError.

Remarks
If an application attempts to delete a file that does not exist, the DeleteFile function fails.

Windows 95: The DeleteFile function deletes a file even if it is open for normal I/O or as a memory-mapped file. To prevent loss of data, close files before attempting to delete them.

Windows NT: The DeleteFile function fails if an application attempts to delete a file that is open for normal I/O or as a memory-mapped file.

To close an open file, use the CloseHandle function.