how to delete a project in android studio

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07-09-2025

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Deleting a project in Android Studio might seem straightforward, but there are a few nuances depending on what you mean by "delete." Do you want to remove the project from your recent projects list, completely remove it from your computer, or something else? This guide covers all the scenarios.

How to Remove a Project from the Recent Projects List in Android Studio

This is the simplest scenario. You don't actually delete the project files from your hard drive; instead, you just remove the entry from Android Studio's recent projects list. This is useful if you're working on many projects and want to declutter your welcome screen.

1. Open Android Studio: Launch Android Studio.
2. Navigate to the Welcome Screen: If you're already in a project, close it. You should see the Android Studio welcome screen.
3. Locate the Project: Find the project you want to remove from the list of recent projects.
4. Delete the Entry: There is no explicit "delete" button. Android Studio manages this automatically. The best way to remove it is simply to open and start working on a different project. Your recently opened projects list is dynamic and prioritizes the projects you've most recently accessed.

How to Completely Delete a Project from Your Computer

This is the more permanent option, completely removing all project files from your hard drive. This is what you'd typically do if you're finished with a project and want to reclaim disk space.

1. Close the Project: Make absolutely sure you've closed the project in Android Studio.
2. Locate the Project Directory: The project directory's location depends on where you initially saved it. It's usually found under your user's Documents or Projects folder. You can also find it from within Android Studio (File -> Open...). Once you open the file location of a project, you can easily go back to its directory.
3. Delete the Directory: Simply delete the entire project folder. You can do this by selecting the folder and pressing the Delete key or right-clicking and selecting "Delete" or "Move to Trash."
4. Empty the Recycle Bin (Optional): For a truly permanent deletion, empty your Recycle Bin or Trash.

What if I Accidentally Deleted a Project?

If you've accidentally deleted a project, your best hope is to recover it from your Recycle Bin or Trash. Emptying your Recycle Bin permanently removes files, so act quickly if you've made a mistake. If it's not in the Recycle Bin, specialized data recovery software might be able to help, but there's no guarantee of success.

How Do I Delete a Specific Module from My Android Studio Project?

This is a common question. A module represents a distinct part of your project, like an app module, a library module, or a test module. You cannot delete a module directly within Android Studio’s interface. Instead, you must modify the project files manually.

1. Locate the Module Directory: The module's folder is typically located within the main project directory.
2. Remove the Module Files: Delete the entire module directory.
3. Update the settings.gradle File: Open the settings.gradle file (or settings.gradle.kts for Kotlin DSL) in your project's root directory. Remove the line that includes the module you just deleted. This line will usually look something like this: include ':app' (where :app is the module name).
4. Sync Project: After making changes to settings.gradle, click "Sync Project with Gradle Files" in the toolbar. This updates Android Studio's understanding of your project structure.

How do I delete all files associated with a project?

Completely deleting all files means ensuring there are no traces of your project anywhere on your system. This requires more than simply deleting the project directory.

1. Follow steps above to completely delete your project: Remove the project folder and empty the Recycle Bin.
2. Check hidden files and folders: In some operating systems, hidden files might contain project-related data. Review the project's former directory. (You may need to enable viewing hidden files in your file explorer settings).
3. Search your entire drive (Optional but thorough): You could perform a search on your entire drive for specific filenames or project-related strings to ensure no remnants remain.

Remember to always back up your important projects before undertaking any deletion operation. This guide should help you cleanly delete your Android Studio projects. If you encounter any issues, consulting Android Studio's official documentation is always recommended.