Delete a library exceeding the list threshold limit. Remove the files and folders before deleting the library.

Summary

Trying to delete a library exceeding the list view threshold results in the message "The attempted operation is prohibited because it exceeds the list view threshold" from the UI and using the cmdlet Remove-PnPList. The script was tested deleting a library containing more than 113 k files/nested folders.

PnP PowerShell

Implementation

• Open Windows PowerShell ISE
• Create a new file
• Copy a script below

Warning

Please be aware this script contains a command that will remove or delete an artifact, ensure you test and understand the implications of running the script.

• PnP PowerShell
• CLI for Microsoft 365

$SiteURL = "https://yourtenantname.sharepoint.com/sites/SiteCollection"
$LibraryName = "YourLibraryName"
$ErrorActionPreference="Stop"

write-host $("Start time " + (Get-Date))

Connect-PnPOnline -URL $SiteURL -Interactive
#Get Root folder of the library
$Library = Get-PnPList -Identity $LibraryName -Includes RootFolder
$Folder = $Library.RootFolder

#Get the site relative path of the Folder
    If($Folder.Context.web.ServerRelativeURL -eq "/")
    {
        $FolderSiteRelativeURL = $Folder.ServerRelativeUrl
    }
    Else
    {      
        $FolderSiteRelativeURL = $Folder.ServerRelativeUrl.Replace($Folder.Context.web.ServerRelativeURL,[string]::Empty)
    }

    #Remove all files
    $Files = Get-PnPFolderItem -FolderSiteRelativeUrl $FolderSiteRelativeURL -ItemType File
    ForEach ($File in $Files)
    {
        #Delete File
        Remove-PnPFile -ServerRelativeUrl $File.ServerRelativeURL -Force 
        Write-Host -f Green ("Deleted File: '{0}' at '{1}'" -f $File.Name, $File.ServerRelativeURL)     
    }

    #Remove all subfolders
    $SubFolders = Get-PnPFolderItem -FolderSiteRelativeUrl $FolderSiteRelativeURL -ItemType Folder
    Foreach($SubFolder in $SubFolders)
    {
       #Exclude "Forms" and Hidden folders
        If(($SubFolder.Name -ne "Forms") -and (-Not($SubFolder.Name.StartsWith("_"))))
        {
            #Delete the folder
            Remove-PnPFolder -Name $SubFolder.Name -Folder $FolderSiteRelativeURL -Force 
            Write-Host -f Green ("Deleted Folder: '{0}' at '{1}'" -f $SubFolder.Name, $SubFolder.ServerRelativeURL)
        }
    }

 Remove-PnPList -Identity $LibraryName -Force
 Write-Host ("Library {0} deleted" -f $LibraryName)

write-host $("End time " + (Get-Date))

Check out the PnP PowerShell to learn more at: https://aka.ms/pnp/powershell

The way you login into PnP PowerShell has changed please read PnP Management Shell EntraID app is deleted : what should I do ?

Contributors

Author(s)
Reshmee Auckloo
Adam Wójcik

Disclaimer

THESE SAMPLES ARE PROVIDED AS IS WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, MERCHANTABILITY, OR NON-INFRINGEMENT.