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# removeFileAtPath:handler:

Deletes the file, link, or directory (including, recursively, all subdirectories, files, and links in the directory) identified by a given path.

```
- (BOOL) removeFileAtPath:(NSString *) path handler:(id) handler;
```

## Parameters

`path`

The path of a file, link, or directory to delete. The value must not be “`.`” or “`..`”.

`handler`

An object that responds to the callback messages <doc://com.apple.documentation/documentation/ObjectiveC/NSObject-swift.class/fileManager(_:willProcessPath:)> and <doc://com.apple.documentation/documentation/ObjectiveC/NSObject-swift.class/fileManager(_:shouldProceedAfterError:)>. You can specify `nil` for `handler`; if you do so and an error occurs, the deletion stops and the method automatically returns <doc://com.apple.documentation/documentation/Swift/false>.

## Return Value

<doc://com.apple.documentation/documentation/Swift/true> if the removal operation is successful. If the operation is not successful, but the handler method <doc://com.apple.documentation/documentation/ObjectiveC/NSObject-swift.class/fileManager(_:shouldProceedAfterError:)> returns <doc://com.apple.documentation/documentation/Swift/true>, also returns <doc://com.apple.documentation/documentation/Swift/true>; otherwise returns <doc://com.apple.documentation/documentation/Swift/false>.

## Discussion

This callback mechanism provided by `handler` is similar to delegation. `NSFileManager` sends <doc://com.apple.documentation/documentation/ObjectiveC/NSObject-swift.class/fileManager(_:willProcessPath:)> when it begins a copy, move, remove, or link operation. It sends <doc://com.apple.documentation/documentation/ObjectiveC/NSObject-swift.class/fileManager(_:shouldProceedAfterError:)> when it encounters any error in processing.

Since the removal of directory contents is so thorough and final, be careful when using this method. If you specify “`.`” or “`..`” for `path` an `NSInvalidArgumentException` exception is raised. This method does not traverse symbolic links.

### Special Considerations

Because this method does not return error information, it has been deprecated as of OS X v10.5. Use [`removeItem(at:)`](/documentation/Foundation/FileManager/removeItem(at:)) instead.

## See Also

[`func linkItem(at: URL, to: URL) throws`](/documentation/Foundation/FileManager/linkItem(at:to:))

Creates a hard link between the items at the specified URLs.

[`func moveItem(atPath: String, toPath: String) throws`](/documentation/Foundation/FileManager/moveItem(atPath:toPath:))

Moves the file or directory at the specified path to a new location synchronously.

[`func copyItem(atPath: String, toPath: String) throws`](/documentation/Foundation/FileManager/copyItem(atPath:toPath:))

Copies the item at the specified path to a new location synchronously.

[`func removeItem(atPath: String) throws`](/documentation/Foundation/FileManager/removeItem(atPath:))

Removes the file or directory at the specified path.


---

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