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Clear-Item

  • Reference
Module:
Microsoft.PowerShell.Management

Clears the contents of an item, but does not delete the item.

Syntax

Clear-Item
     [-Path] <String[]>
     [-Force]
     [-Filter <String>]
     [-Include <String[]>]
     [-Exclude <String[]>]
     [-Credential <PSCredential>]
     [-WhatIf]
     [-Confirm]
     [<CommonParameters>]
Clear-Item
     -LiteralPath <String[]>
     [-Force]
     [-Filter <String>]
     [-Include <String[]>]
     [-Exclude <String[]>]
     [-Credential <PSCredential>]
     [-WhatIf]
     [-Confirm]
     [<CommonParameters>]

Description

The Clear-Item cmdlet clears the content of an item, but it does not delete the item. For example, the Clear-Item cmdlet can delete the value of a variable, but it does not delete the variable. The value that used to represent a cleared item is defined by each PowerShell provider. This cmdlet is similar to Clear-Content, but it works on aliases and variables, instead of files.

Examples

Example 1: Clear the value of a variable

This command clears the value of the variable named TestVar1. The variable remains and is valid, but its value is set to $null. The variable name is prefixed with Variable: to indicate the PowerShell Variable provider.

The alternate commands show that, to get the same result, you can switch to the PowerShell Variable: drive and then run the Clear-Item command.

Clear-Item Variable:TestVar1

Set-Location Variable:
PS Variable:\> Clear-Item TestVar1

Example 2: Clear all registry entries

This command clears all registry entries in the "MyKey" subkey, but only after prompting you to confirm your intent. It does not delete the "MyKey" subkey or affect any other registry keys or entries. You can use the Include and Exclude parameters to identify particular registry keys, but you cannot use them to identify registry entries.

  • To delete particular registry entries, use the Remove-ItemProperty cmdlet.
  • To delete the value of a registry entry, use the Clear-ItemProperty cmdlet.
Clear-Item HKLM:\Software\MyCompany\MyKey -Confirm

Parameters

-Confirm

Prompts you for confirmation before running the cmdlet.

Type:SwitchParameter
Aliases:cf
Position:Named
Default value:False
Required:False
Accept pipeline input:False
Accept wildcard characters:False

-Credential

Note

This parameter is not supported by any providers installed with PowerShell. To impersonate another user, or elevate your credentials when running this cmdlet, use Invoke-Command.

Type:PSCredential
Position:Named
Default value:Current user
Required:False
Accept pipeline input:True
Accept wildcard characters:False

-Exclude

Specifies, as a string array, an item or items that this cmdlet excludes in the operation. The value of this parameter qualifies the Path parameter. Enter a path element or pattern, such as *.txt. Wildcard characters are permitted. The Exclude parameter is effective only when the command includes the contents of an item, such as C:\Windows\*, where the wildcard character specifies the contents of the C:\Windows directory.

Type:String[]
Position:Named
Default value:None
Required:False
Accept pipeline input:False
Accept wildcard characters:True

-Filter

Specifies a filter to qualify the Path parameter. The FileSystem provider is the only installed PowerShell provider that supports the use of filters. You can find the syntax for the FileSystem filter language in about_Wildcards. Filters are more efficient than other parameters, because the provider applies them when the cmdlet gets the objects rather than having PowerShell filter the objects after they are retrieved.

Type:String
Position:Named
Default value:None
Required:False
Accept pipeline input:False
Accept wildcard characters:True

-Force

Indicates that the cmdlet clears items that cannot otherwise be changed, such as read- only aliases. The cmdlet cannot clear constants. Implementation varies from provider to provider. For more information, see about_Providers. The cmdlet cannot override security restrictions, even when the Force parameter is used.

Type:SwitchParameter
Position:Named
Default value:False
Required:False
Accept pipeline input:False
Accept wildcard characters:False

-Include

Specifies, as a string array, an item or items that this cmdlet includes in the operation. The value of this parameter qualifies the Path parameter. Enter a path element or pattern, such as "*.txt". Wildcard characters are permitted. The Include parameter is effective only when the command includes the contents of an item, such as C:\Windows\*, where the wildcard character specifies the contents of the C:\Windows directory.

Type:String[]
Position:Named
Default value:None
Required:False
Accept pipeline input:False
Accept wildcard characters:True

-LiteralPath

Specifies a path to one or more locations. The value of LiteralPath is used exactly as it is typed. No characters are interpreted as wildcards. If the path includes escape characters, enclose it in single quotation marks. Single quotation marks tell PowerShell not to interpret any characters as escape sequences.

For more information, see about_Quoting_Rules.

Type:String[]
Aliases:PSPath, LP
Position:Named
Default value:None
Required:True
Accept pipeline input:True
Accept wildcard characters:False

-Path

Specifies the path to the items being cleared. Wildcard characters are permitted. This parameter is required, but the parameter name Path is optional.

Type:String[]
Position:0
Default value:None
Required:True
Accept pipeline input:True
Accept wildcard characters:True

-WhatIf

Shows what would happen if the cmdlet runs. The cmdlet is not run.

Type:SwitchParameter
Aliases:wi
Position:Named
Default value:False
Required:False
Accept pipeline input:False
Accept wildcard characters:False

Inputs

String

You can pipe a path string to this cmdlet.

Outputs

None

This cmdlet returns no output.

Notes

PowerShell includes the following aliases for Clear-Item:

  • All platforms:

    • cli

  • The Clear-Item cmdlet is supported only by several PowerShell providers, including the Alias, Environment, Function, Registry, and Variable providers. As such, you can use Clear-Item to delete the content of items in the provider namespaces. To list the providers available in your session, type Get-PsProvider. For more information, see about_Providers.

  • You cannot use Clear-Item to delete the contents of a file, because the PowerShell FileSystem provider does not support this cmdlet. To clear files, use the Clear-Content.