Search code examples
wordpressapache.htaccessserverhidden-files

Delete hidden files from sever except .htaccess

A couple of days back, I noticed that my server has a almost 1000 plus hidden directories and files that are exact replicas. Let me give you an example.

Level 1 Directory has the following sub-directories and files:

  • wp-content
  • wp-includes
  • index.php
  • wp-mail.php

Now, I notice that along with these 4, there are hidden files like these:

  • ._wp-content
  • ._wp-includes
  • ._index.php
  • ._wp-mail.php

Also, if these sub-directories too have further sub-directories (several levels deep), the same duplication has happened over there too. I'm not sure how did that happen (might have happened when I migrated from site from one server to another).

Anyways, my question is how do I delete all these duplicate and hidden files with prefixes "._" (ignore quotes) - including ones that are 3-4 sub-directories deep. Also such that .htaccess files or other important files/directories are not deleted.

Mine is a Wordpress site and I use Ubuntu 14.04 LTS.

Solution

  • You can use the find utility: 

    find /path/to/search -name "._*" | xargs rm

    or as an alternative 

    find /path/to/search -name "._*" -exec rm -r "{}" \;

    where /path/to/search has to be replaced by the base location in your local file system that you want to start the search in.