Linux: How to Delete Files Older than Number of Days

Let’s say that you have a requirement to only keep 90 days worth of files for one or more reasons:

• Compliance for ISO 27000
• Reduce the amount of disk space backup files are taking up

Use the Find Command with -Exec option

Requirements

• search for files
  • -type f
• Last Modified 90+ days ago
  • -mtime +90
• Once it files the files, delete them, with one command
  • -exec rm {} +
  • The plus sign at the end will delete all with one line compared to \; will run the rm command for every file, so it is not very efficient (slow)
• Here is the command

find /backups/nsx/ -type f -mtime +90 -exec rm {} +

Run A Cron Job

• Enter Crontab
  • crontab -e
• To delete everyday at midnight for files older than 90days in the /backup/nsx/ folder
  • Press the i key to insert
  • Paste in:
  • 0 0 * * * find /backups/nsx/ -type f -mtime +90 -exec rm {} +
  • Hit the esc key
  • then type :wq
  • press enter