Create an automatic folder cleaner

Creating an automatic folder cleaner can be very useful for managing disk space and keeping your files organized. Below is a Python script that automatically cleans a specified folder by deleting files older than a certain number of days. This script can be run periodically (e.g., via a scheduled task or cron job).

Automatic Folder Cleaner in Python

python
CopyEdit
import os
import time
from datetime import datetime, timedelta

def clean_folder(folder_path, days_old):
    """
    Delete files older than `days_old` days in the specified folder.
    
    :param folder_path: Path to the folder to clean.
    :param days_old: Files older than this many days will be deleted.
    """
    now = time.time()
    cutoff = now - (days_old * 86400)  # Convert days to seconds

    if not os.path.exists(folder_path):
        print(f"Folder does not exist: {folder_path}")
        return
    
    deleted_files = 0

    for filename in os.listdir(folder_path):
        file_path = os.path.join(folder_path, filename)
        
        # Only process files (not directories)
        if os.path.isfile(file_path):
            file_modified = os.path.getmtime(file_path)
            
            # Check if file is older than cutoff time
            if file_modified < cutoff:
                try:
                    os.remove(file_path)
                    deleted_files += 1
                    print(f"Deleted: {file_path}")
                except Exception as e:
                    print(f"Error deleting {file_path}: {e}")
    
    print(f"Total files deleted: {deleted_files}")

if __name__ == "__main__":
    # Customize these variables
    folder_to_clean = "/path/to/your/folder"
    days_threshold = 30  # Files older than 30 days will be deleted
    
    clean_folder(folder_to_clean, days_threshold)

How It Works:

• The script checks all files in the given folder.

• It deletes files last modified more than days_old days ago.

• It skips folders and only deletes files.

• Prints progress and summary.

How to Use:

1. Change the value of folder_to_clean to the folder you want cleaned.

2. Set days_threshold to the age in days after which files will be deleted.

3. Run the script manually or set it up as a scheduled task (Windows Task Scheduler or Linux cron job).

If you want, I can help you create a version that moves files to the recycle bin instead of permanent deletion, or one that archives old files rather than deleting them. Just let me know!