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# fileManager(_:shouldRemoveItemAtPath:)

Asks the delegate whether the item at the specified path should be deleted.

```
optional func fileManager(_ fileManager: FileManager, shouldRemoveItemAtPath path: String) -> Bool
```

## Parameters

`fileManager`

The file manager object that is attempting to remove the file or directory.

`path`

The path to the file or directory that the file manager is attempting to delete.

## Return Value

<doc://com.apple.documentation/documentation/Swift/true> if the specified item should be deleted or <doc://com.apple.documentation/documentation/Swift/false> if it should not be deleted.

## Discussion

Removed items are deleted immediately and not placed in the Trash. If the specified item is a directory, returning <doc://com.apple.documentation/documentation/Swift/false> prevents both the directory and its children from being deleted.

This method performs the same task as the [`fileManager(_:shouldRemoveItemAt:)`](/documentation/Foundation/FileManagerDelegate/fileManager(_:shouldRemoveItemAt:)) method, which is preferred over this method in macOS 10.6 and later.

## See Also

[`-  removeItemAtPath:error:`](/documentation/Foundation/FileManager/removeItem(atPath:))

Removes the file or directory at the specified path.

[`-  removeItemAtURL:error:`](/documentation/Foundation/FileManager/removeItem(at:))

Removes the file or directory at the specified URL.


---

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