Permanently removes previously deleted files and projects from the VSS database.
Note Purged items cannot be recovered.
ss Purge VSS items [-H] [-I-] [-N] [-O] [-Y] [-?]
Purges the deleted file TEST.C:
ss Purge TEST.C
Purges the deleted project $/PRJ:
ss Purge $/PRJ
The following table describes the command-line options available with this command.
| Option | Description |
| -I- | Ignore: Do not ask for input under any circumstances. |
| -O | Paginate or redirect the command output. |
| -N | Change between long and short file name mode. |
| -Y | Specify a username and/or password. |
| -?, -H | Request online Help on a command. |
You must have the Destroy access right to use this command.
When you use the Delete command to delete a file or project in VSS, the deleted item is removed from VSS Explorer, but VSS is still storing it internally. You can use the Dir -D command on the VSS command line to show a list of the files that are deleted from the current project. Then, you can purge them if you want to destroy them permanently, or rebuild earlier versions of the project that required them with the Recover command.