Delete all the contents of a file without deleting the file itself.
Syntax
Clear-Content [[-path]| [-literalPath] ] string[]
[-include string[]] [-exclude string[] ]
[-filter string] [-force] [-credential PSCredential] [-whatIf]
[-confirm] [CommonParameters]
Key
-path string[]
The paths to the items (not containers) from which content is deleted.
Wildcards are permitted.
e.g., you may specify a path to one more files, but not a path to a folder.
-literalPath string[]
Like Path above, only the value is used exactly as typed.
No characters are interpreted as wildcards. If the path includes any
escape characters then enclose the path in single quotation marks.
-include string[]
Clear only the specified items from the Path. e.g. "*.txt"
-exclude string[]
Omits the specified items from the Path e.g. "*.txt"
-filter string
A filter in the provider's format or language.
The exact syntax of the filter (wildcard support etc) depends on the provider.
Filters are more efficient than -include/-exclude, because the provider
applies the filter when retrieving the objects, rather than having
PowerShell filter the objects after they are retrieved.
-force SwitchParameter
Override restrictions that prevent the command from succeeding, apart
from security settings. e.g. Force will create file path directories
or override a files read-only attribute, but will not change file permissions.
-credential PSCredential
Uses a credential to validate access to the file. Credential represents
a user-name, such as "User01" or "Domain01\User01", or a PSCredential
object, such as the one retrieved using Get-Credential.
This parameter appears, but it is not yet supported in any PowerShell core
cmdlets or providers.
-whatIf
Describe what would happen if you executed the command without actually
executing the command.
-confirm
Prompt for confirmation before executing the command.
CommonParameters:
-Verbose, -Debug,-ErrorAction,-ErrorVariable, -OutVariable.
Example
Delete the content of all files in the temp directory with the ".log" file name extension,
PS C:>clear-content c:\Temp\* -filter *.log
"Nothing is permanent in this wicked world - not even our troubles" - Charlie Chaplin
Related:
Clear-Item is similar to Clear-Content, but works on aliases and variables, instead of files.
Equivalent bash commands: useradd - Create new user accounts
