Node fs.unlink() Method Last Updated : 07 Jan, 2025 Comments Improve Suggest changes Like Article Like Report `fs.unlink()` in Node.js removes files or symbolic links, while for directories, it's advisable to use `fs.rmdir()` since it doesn't support directory removal.Syntax: fs.unlink( path, callback )Parameters: This method accepts two parameters as mentioned above and described below: path: It is a string, Buffer or URL that, represents the file or symbolic link that has to be removed.callback: It is a function that would be called when the method is executed. err: It is an error that would be thrown if the method fails.The fs.unlink() method is used to delete files in Node.js. Example 1: Below examples illustrate the fs.unlink() method in Node.js. This example removes a file from the filesystem. JavaScript // Node.js program to demonstrate the // fs.unlink() method // Import the filesystem module const fs = require('fs'); // Get the files in current directory // before deletion getFilesInDirectory(); // Delete example_file.txt fs.unlink("example_file.txt", (err => { if (err) console.log(err); else { console.log("\nDeleted file: example_file.txt"); // Get the files in current directory // after deletion getFilesInDirectory(); } })); // Function to get current filenames // in directory with specific extension function getFilesInDirectory() { console.log("\nFiles present in directory:"); let files = fs.readdirSync(__dirname); files.forEach(file => { console.log(file); }); } Output: Files present in directory:example_file.txtindex.jspackage.jsonDeleted file: example_file.txtFiles present in directory:index.jspackage.jsonExample 2: Below examples illustrate the fs.unlink() method in Node.js. This example removes a symbolic link from the filesystem. JavaScript // Node.js program to demonstrate the // fs.unlink() method // Import the filesystem module const fs = require('fs'); // Creating symlink to file fs.symlinkSync( __dirname + "\\example_file.txt", "symlinkToFile" ); console.log( "\nSymbolic link to example_file.txt created" ); // Function to get current filenames // in directory with specific extension getFilesInDirectory(); // Deleting symbolic link to example_file.txt // Delete example_file.txt fs.unlink("symlinkToFile", (err => { if (err) console.log(err); else { console.log( "\nDeleted Symbolic Link: symlinkToFile" ); // Get the files in current directory // after deletion getFilesInDirectory(); } })); // Function to get current filenames // in directory with specific extension function getFilesInDirectory() { console.log("\nFiles present in directory:"); let files = fs.readdirSync(__dirname); files.forEach( file => { console.log(file); } ); } Output: Symbolic link to example_file.txt createdFiles present in directory:example_file.txtindex.jspackage.jsonsymlinkToFileDeleted Symbolic Link: symlinkToFileFiles present in directory:example_file.txtindex.jspackage.jsonWe have a Cheat Sheet on Node FIle System Module methods where we covered all the important methods to check those please go through Node.js fs Complete Reference article. 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