AutoDeleteFolder

Cross-platform Python script to delete contents of a specified folder. Files can either be deleted permanently, moved to trash, or moved to a timestamped subfolder. One specified subfolder and earlier backups will be saved from deletion.

I created this script to run on startup, the default settings are the ones I use.

Script setup

autodeletefolder.py has a few variables to set up.

temp_folder_name = r"Temporary" is the folder of which the contents are to be deleted. By default, the folder will be in the home folder at C:\Users\me\Temporary (Windows) or /home/me/Temporary (Linux). The script expects this folder to already exist. You can also give a full path to any folder e.g. temp_folder_name = r"C:\any\folder".

save_folder_name = "saveme" is the folder inside the temp folder to be saved. Its contents will not be deleted when the script runs. Essentially it behaves like a normal folder. If you don't want this behaviour, set to save_folder_name = None or delete the variable.

deletion_level = 1 0 = delete permanently, 1 = move to trash, 2 = move to timestamped subfolder. If you select option 1, you need to install the send2trash Python package.

timestamp_format = "%y-%m-%d_%H-%M" format for timestamp in trash folder name. Only used if deletion_level is 1 or 2. Uses Python strftime format.

Dependencies

To send files to trash/recycle bin, install the Python package send2trash using pip install send2trash.

How to run

If you have Python installed and set to open .py files, you can just click on this script to run it. Below is a guide to run the script at startup.

Windows

1. Create a shortcut to autodeletefolder.py
2. Open shortcut file properties
3. Edit Target to python "C:\path\to\autodeletefolder.py" (change to the correct path)
4. (optional) Set Run to minimised
5. add this shortcut to startup at C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup

You can also use task scheduler for more options.

Linux

1. Create a new cronjob using sudo crontab -e
2. add @reboot python /path/to/autodeletefolder.py & to the bottom of the file (change to the correct path)

You can also use a systemd service.