Remove-Variable in Windows command line

Deletes a variable and its value.

Syntax

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Remove-Variable [-Name] <String[]> [-Include <String[]>] [-Exclude <String[]>] [-Force] [-Scope <String>] [-WhatIf] [-Confirm] [<CommonParameters>]

Description

The Remove-Variable cmdlet deletes a variable and its value from the scope in which it is defined, such as the current session. You cannot use this cmdlet to delete variables that are set as constants or those that are owned by the system.

Examples

Example 1: Remove a variable

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Remove-Variable Smp

This command deletes the $Smp variable.

Parameters

-Confirm

Prompts you for confirmation before running the cmdlet.

TABLE 1

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

-Exclude

Specifies an array of items that this cmdlet omits from the operation. The value of this parameter qualifies the Name parameter. Enter a name element or pattern, such as "s*". Wildcards are permitted.

TABLE 2

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

-Force

Indicates that the cmdlet removes a variable even if it is read-only. Even using the Force parameter, the cmdlet cannot remove a constant.

TABLE 3

Type:	SwitchParameter
Position:	Named
Default value:	None
Accept pipeline input:	False
Accept wildcard characters:	False

-Include

Specifies an array of items that this cmdlet deletes in the operation. The value of this parameter qualifies the Name parameter. Enter a name element or pattern, such as s*. Wildcards are permitted.

TABLE 4

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

-Name

Specifies the name of the variable to be removed. The parameter name (Name) is optional. Wildcards are permitted

TABLE 5

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

-Scope

Gets only the variables in the specified scope. The acceptable values for this parameter are:

• Global
• Local
• Script
• A number relative to the current scope (0 through the number of scopes, where 0 is the current scope and 1 is its parent)

Local is the default. For more information, see about_Scopes.

TABLE 6

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

-WhatIf

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

TABLE 7

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

Inputs

PSVariable

You can pipe a variable object to Remove-Variable.

Outputs

None

This cmdlet does not return any output.

Notes

• Changes affect only the current scope, such as a session. To delete a variable from all sessions, add a Remove-Variable command to your PowerShell profile.

• You can also refer to Remove-Variable by its built-in alias, rv. For more information, see about_Aliases.

Related Links

• Clear-Variable
• Get-Variable
• New-Variable
• Set-Variable