Cannot remove directory with spaces in its name

[dradovsky]

I am trying to remove a directory and its contents with the rm -rf command but it's not working. I don't get an error message, just a ">" symbol on the next line. Eventually, I have to use ctrl-c to escape.I am thinking that the problem may be that it is a Time Machine backup that has spaces, an apostrophe, and a period in its name. If that is the case, any solutions?

Thanks

 

[Fredda]

If your directory is named e.g. "with spaces in it" you could try to remove it via wildcards rm -rf *spaces*, but make sure that does not match other directories.

Or start the midnight commander (command mc in the shell), navigate to the directory and delete from there.

 

[sretalla]

or escape the spaces with the backslash... rm -rf directory\ With\ Spaces\ in (which is what the system will help you to do if you type the first part and hit tab... rm -rf directory <-- TAB )

 

[dradovsky]

Fredda, thanks. I'm using Midnight Commander and it's working. Never knew there was such a thing. Easy peasy.