Thank you Bill,
I ended up with a batch file which includes:
Rmdir/s/q G:\"All Data Files"
Mkdir G:\"All Data Files"
Xcopy C:\"All Data Files" G:\"All Data Files" /c/e/h/k/r/s

This works just fine,
Anders

"billious" <billious_1954@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:43ba93a0$0$31821$a82e2bb9@reader.athenanews.c om...
>
> "Anders Hellstrom" <obetug@msn.com> wrote in message
> news:%23j259XHEGHA.2724@TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...
>> Presently I am using batch files for backing up my 4000 + work files to a
>> second hard drive. The batch files are executed from icons on the
>> desktop.
>> The work files are stored in folder "All Data Files" and many subfolders.
>>
>> To make a complete backup I use a command line:
>> Xcopy C:\"All Data Files" F:\"All Data Files" /c/e/h/k/r/s
>>
>> To back up the files only after a certain date, I use a command line:
>> Xcopy C:\"All Data Files" F:\"All Data Files" /d:12-31-2005/c/e/h/k/r/s
>>
>> When making a complete backup, I would like to add a line in the batch
>> file
>> which will delete all subfolders and files located in folder F:\All Data
>> Files\..
>> I have tried the DOS command DEL, but I have not been able to make it
>> work
>> with all subfolders and files.
>>
>> My Operating System is Windows XP Home Edition with Service Pack 2.
>> Any help will be greatly appreciated
>>
>> Anders Hellstrom
>>
>
> Instead of DEL, try using
>
> RD
>
> RD/? will show the way..
>
> RD/s/q "foldername"
>
> should cause "foldername" to be "softly and suddenly vanished away"
>
> HTH
>
> ...Bill
>
>