rsync -avz --delete SOURCE DEST synchronizes files from the sending path to the receiving path, compresses data sent during transfer, and removes destination-side files that are absent from the source within directories being synchronized. Because --delete can erase files, confirm the direction and preview the proposed changes with --dry-run before running it for real.
What the command does
Rsync compares a sending path with a receiving path and transfers the changes needed to bring the receiving side into line with the sending side. Either path can be remote. In this command, SOURCE is the sender and DEST is the receiver; --delete applies to the receiver, not the source. It does not mean “delete source files after copying.”
The official rsync manual warns: “This option can be dangerous if used incorrectly!” Destination-only files in synchronized directories may be removed.
What each option means
-a/--archive: Enables archive mode, equivalent to-rlptgoD. This includes recursive transfer, copying symlinks as symlinks, and preserving permissions, modification times, group, owner, and device/special-file handling. Some preservation depends on platform capabilities and permissions.-v/--verbose: Prints more information. One-vreports transferred files and a brief summary; adding more-voptions increases detail.-z/--compress: Compresses file data sent to the destination. This can reduce transmitted data, particularly over a slow connection. Available and negotiated compression methods depend on the rsync builds at both ends;rsync --versionshows methods compiled into the local build.--delete: Removes extraneous items from the receiving side when they are absent from the sending side, but only within directories whose contents are being synchronized.
What archive mode does not preserve by itself
Despite its name, archive mode does not cover every metadata type. It does not imply preservation of ACLs (-A), extended attributes (-X), access times (-U), creation times (-N), or hard links (-H). Add the relevant options only if those metadata types matter for your use case, and check that both systems and your permissions support them.
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What --delete can remove—and what affects its scope
The option does not make every file on the destination eligible for deletion. Deletion is limited to the receiving-side contents of directories being synchronized, and several details affect which directories and files are in scope:
- Paths and direction: Rsync treats one path as the sender and the other as the receiver. Reversing the paths reverses which side is at risk from
--delete. - Directory transfer and recursion: Deletion requires recursive or directory-transfer behavior. Archive mode normally implies recursion.
- Wildcards: A shell-expanded path such as
source/*supplies individual paths rather than the parent directory as one complete synchronized directory. That changes the destination contents included in deletion scope. - Filters: Excluded files are normally protected from deletion.
--delete-excludedor filter modifiers can change that behavior. - Sender errors: If the sender detects I/O errors, rsync disables destination deletion by default unless
--ignore-errorsis used.
Deletion timing also depends on the peer version when no timing mode is specified: the current manual says rsync uses --delete-during with peers at version 3.0.0 or newer and --delete-before with older peers. Other documented timing choices include --delete-delay and --delete-after.
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Preview the operation before deleting anything
- Check which path is the source and which is the destination. Remember that
--deleteremoves items from the receiving side, not the sending side. - Run the intended command with the same paths and options, adding
--dry-run(or-n), for example:rsync -avz --delete --dry-run SOURCE DEST. - Inspect the proposed transfers and deletions. Confirm that every destination-only item shown for removal is meant to go.
- Only then run the command without
--dry-run.
Keep the paths, wildcard behavior, and filters identical between the preview and the real run; changing them can change the deletion scope.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Version and compatibility notes
The rsync project lists version 3.5.1 as released on September 21, 2026; see the rsync project site. Option meanings are documented in the manual, but compression behavior depends on the builds at both ends, and deletion timing can depend on the peer version as described above. Check the installed versions and capabilities when behavior differs between systems.
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