The ultimate guide to copying files and folders with Xcopy (2023)

this oneXcopyrepresentative tooladvanced copy,is a popular command-line utility for copying large amounts of data in Windows. compared to traditionalcopyXcopy has more features and switches that give you more control when copying or moving files and folders.

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This tutorial will show you how to use Xcopy in various file copying scenarios. From copying individual files, multiple directories, applying filters or exclusions, etc. Finally, you'll gain the knowledge to use Xcopy for everyday file copying tasks.

Let's start!

Require

To follow the examples in this tutorial, you'll need the following.

• Windows computer (server or client). Xcopy is built into Windows, you don't need to download anything else. This guide uses Windows 10 Build 1909.
• Xcopy runs from the command line or PowerShell. This article assumes you already have one open.

Understanding the xcopy command

Xcopy is a command-line utility available by default since Windows 98. You can find this tool at%WINDIR%\system32folder with the name of the executable filexcopy.exe.

compared to WindowscopyThe Xcopy command is more efficient in copying files and directories. In addition, Xcopy has more options, which makes it easy to customize and allows you to control the behavior of file copying.

an advantage

There are several benefits of using Xcopy that you will learn about in this guide. However, here are some benefits of using Xcopy.

• Faster process of copying large number of files and directories.
• Simplify application deployment.
• The source directory structure can be copied as is.
• Copy files while preserving ownership andAccess Control Lists (ACLs)information.
• Copy and overwrite read-only files.
• Files can be excluded based on filename, extension or path.
• Newer files can be identified, useful for differential backups.
• Integrate and use scripts.

limit

As great as Xcopy is, it is not without limitations. While these limitations may not be critical, it's best to be aware of them before you begin.

• Unable to copy open file.
• don't support itWindows Volume Copy Service (VSS).The lack of VSS support makes Xcopy unsuitable for backing up Live OS volumes.
• An out of memory error occurs when the path plus file name is longer than 254 characters.

Xcopygrammatical reference

Xcopy allows you to perform various file and folder copy operations. But first you need to understand the syntax and options. There are many options for changing the way Xcopy works. To help you better understand these options, they are discussed in detail in the table below.

The first path specification refers to the source file; the second path specification refers to the object file.

xcopy [source] [destination] [options]

• [They]– Path to the file to be copied (wildcards may be used). You should specify the drive, path and file you want to copy.
• [Goal]- The path name of the new file. If no destination path is specified, the command will copy the file to the same path as the source.
• [option]- can be one of the following options in the table below. You can also see these options by running itcopy of /?command or accessXcopy - online documentation.

that option

targeted options

copying possibilities

Using Xcopy: Application examples

Now that you're familiar with Xcopy's syntax and options, it's time to start using it by combining one or more options. In the following sections, you'll explore many different scenarios for copying files and folders with Xcopy.

list of files to copy

If your file server contains a large number of files that you want to copy, preferably to a backup location, it is ideal to try the xcopy command first. One situation where you might want to test Xcopy is when you combine multiple Xcopy options.

for/LSwitching with Xcopy allows you to simulate what would happen if you issued a command by listing the files that would be copied. This way you can check that your command is copying all the files you want.

XCOPY C:\Workarea\XCopyDemo C:\Workarea\XCopyDemoFolder /L

copy one file

The most basic thing you can do with Xcopy is copy a file from a source to a destination without using any options. For example, the following command copies a text file to the target directory, keeping the file name unchanged.

XCOPY C:\Workarea\XCopyDemo\NewFile.txt C:\Workarea\XCopyDemoFolder folder

You can also copy the source file and rename the destination file by running the following command.

XCOPY C:\Workarea\XCopyDemo\NewFile.txt C:\Workarea\XCopyDemoFolder\AnotherFile.txt

Copy the files to a new folder

With Xcopy, you can instantly copy files and create destination directories. For this you need to add this/IXcopy command options.

For example, the following command fromC:\Workspace\Demonstrationsmap behindD:\Workspacebinder. If the target folder does not exist, Xcopy will create a target folder with/Ipossibility.

XCOPY C:\Workarea\Demo D:\Workarea /I

Copy all files and folders recursively

In addition to copying files from one folder to another, Xcopy also allows recursive copying of folders and files. There are two ways to recursively copy - with and without empty folders.

To copy all files and directories, ignoring empty directories, add the following/SAdd the options at the end of the xcopy command as shown below.

XCOPY C: D: /S

Alternatively, to include empty directories during recursive copying, add:/Eoptions, not commands.

XCOPY C: D: /E

includehidden and system files

By default, Xcopy does not include hidden and system files in the copy operation. However, if you need to force Xcopy to include hidden and system files, add the following/Hdirect.

The following command recursively copies all files, including hidden and system files. This command also ignores errors, creates a destination folder, and overwrites existing files.

XCOPY C:\Workarea\Documents D:\Workarea\Documents /S /H /C /Y

Keep file attributes read-only

Another attribute that Xcopy can handle and preserve is the read-only attribute of files. By default, when Xcopy copies a read-only file, it removes the read-only attribute of the target file. To prevent Xcopy from removing read-only attributes, add the following/Kdirect.

For example, the following command copies a read-only file to another location, and the resulting target file still has the read-only attribute. This command also overwrites the target file if it exists.

XCOPY C:\Workarea\XCopyDemo\NewFile.txt D:\Workarea /I /K /Y

As a side effect of keeping the file read-only, Xcopy cannot overwrite the same file in subsequent copy operations. However, you can force Xcopy to overwrite read-only files by adding/Rto change.

XCOPY C:\Workarea\XCopyDemo\NewFile.txt D:\Workarea /K /R /Y

Filter files to copy

Let's say you have multiple files in the source folder and subfolders that you want to copy. Xcopy allows you to enter wildcards to filter files to copy.

For example, the following command just copies。CSRecursively expand from the rootC:pogon na rootOther:drive. This command also ignores errors and overwrites existing files without asking for confirmation.

XCOPY C:\*.cs E:\ /S /C /Y

Exclude files and folders from copies

A powerful feature of Xcopy is the ability to exclude files from the copy process. To use this feature you can use/turn offto change. This switch accepts the name of the file containing the list of exceptions.

First, you must create or have a file that contains a list of exceptions. For example, you can create a file named "turn off.txtContains the following entries. As you can see, excluded files can contain specific file names, file extensions, and folders as entries.

xyz.txtExclude.txt.pdf.png\排除\

To run Xcopy with exceptions, run the following command and specify the full path to the exception file/turn offto change. The command usesC:\Workarea\XCopyDemo\Exclude.txtdocument.

XCOPY C:\Workarea\XCopyDemo C:\Workarea\Backup /S /Y /Exclude:C:\Workarea\XCopyDemo\Exclude.txt copy code

result? Xcopy starts the copy file but skips itxyz datoteka,turn off.txt, All files.pdfi.pngextension and all files underturn offContent.

Perform a differential copy

If you need to back up files from one location to another, Xcopy offers an option that allows you to perform differential backups. A differential backup does not copy all files, only those files whose modification date is on or after the date you specify/D:m-d-yto change.

For example, to copy only files with a modification date of April 1, 2021 or later, run the following command. Additionally, this command performs a recursive copy, ignoring errors and overwriting existing files at the destination.

XCOPY C:\Workarea\XCopyDemo C:\Workarea\Backup /D:04-01-2021 /S /C /Y

If no date is specified during the listing/DWith this option, Xcopy only copies source files that are newer than the destination file.

Copy files based on archive attributes

Typically, backup programs remove the file archive attribute after a backup operation. After a file has been modified (ie edited and saved), Windows automatically resets the file's archive attribute.

When using Xcopy to script file backups, you can use the archive attribute to specify whether the file should be copied or backed up.

You can use the following to copy files with archive attributes/Ai/riceto change. Which of these switches you use depends on whether you want to preserve the archive attribute of the file.

The following command performs a recursive copy of only files with the archive attribute. To do this, the target file retains the archive attribute after copying/Ato change.

XCOPY C:\Workarea\Demo D:\Workarea\Test /A /S /Y

Instead, to remove the archive attribute of the source file after copying to the target, specify:/riceSwitch instead.

XCOPY C:\Workarea\Demo D:\Workarea\Test /M /S /Y

Preserve file ownership and ACL data

Imagine backing up your entire profile folder. Each file can have a different owner or unique permissions. If you need to restore these files, they must have the same owner andpermitsUntouched.

related:How to manage NTFS permissions using PowerShell

This way, the whole process seems to go smoothly and the user continues to access the files as before. First, however, you must ensure that these files are backed up while preserving existing ownership and permissions.

To copy files and preserve owner and ACL information, add/ÖThe parameter isxcopyThe commands are as follows.

XCOPY C:\radni prostor D:\rad /O /I /Y

In addition to storing owner and ACL information, you can also include these files.audit items.If your organization requires it, it can be useful to copy the audit settingsGroup Policy Objects (GPOs)Check the file.

To turn on file monitoring settings when copying files with Xcopy, use/Xto change. this one/Xswitch means/ÖThere are also switches, so you don't have to use both.

related:What is Group Policy and how does it work? (in detail)

XCOPY C:\radni prostor D:\rad /X /I /Y

Copy files and folders over the network

In addition to copying files between different locations on the same or different hard drives, Xcopy can also copy files over a network. Unfortunately, copying files over the network is not always reliable. There may be brief interruptions and, in some cases, a complete loss of network connectivity.

Fortunately, you can run Xcopy in bootable mode. That is, even if replication stops due to a network error, it can continue after the network connection is re-established. To run Xcopy in restart mode you need to add the following/Zdirect.

For example, the following command fromC:\Workspacefolder to a network location. this one/ZThis parameter starts Xcopy in restartable mode.

XCOPY C:\Workarea "\\SERVER01\Backup" /S /Z

for/ZIf the switch is activated, Xcopy also displays the file copy progress in percentage.

Copy files using bufferless I/O

Buffered I/O is how the operating system buffers disk reads and writes to the file system cache. Although buffering can speed up subsequent reads and writes to the same file, it comes at a cost. Therefore, bufferless I/O (or raw file copy) is the preferred method for copying large files.

This copy method reduces the load on the file system cache and prevents large amounts of file data from easily flushing the file system cache.

To copy large files with bufferless I/O, you can add the following/JSwitch to the Xcopy command as shown below.

XCOPY C:\Workarea\abc.mp4 D:\Temp /I /J

Copy the file with confirmation

Like any other task, copying files may not always give 100% successful results. Even without obvious errors, some files can get corrupted during transfer.

With Xcopy you can use this/VAfter copying by size, the switch checks whether the destination and source files are the same. Identical source and destination files indicate that the copy process was successful and the files are intact.

The following command copies all filesC:\Workarea\XCopyDemoarriveC:\Workspace\Backupand browse each file with/Vto change. this one/FThis switch displays the full paths of source and object files.

XCOPY C:\Workarea\XCopyDemo C:\Workarea\Backup /F /H /S /X /V

Copy the encrypted files

Xcopy also supports copying encrypted files to destinations that do not support encryption. for/GWith the switch, Xcopy copies the encrypted source file and creates a decrypted destination file.

This copy method is especially useful when backing up encrypted files to network shares or files that are not encrypted.Encrypted File System (EFS)roll.

Xcopy C:\Workarea\XCOPYDemo C:\Workarea\XCOPYDemoFolder /S /G

copy the folder structure

In some cases, the backup script or program may require you to pre-install the destination before copying files from the source. If you want, you can use Xcopy to copy the original folder structure without the contents.

To do this, run the xcopy command/Tto change. for/TCauses xcopy to copy only the directory tree to the target, ignoring empty directories.

you can also add/ESwitch to a command that includes an empty directory, as shown in the example command below.

Xcopy C:\Workarea\XCOPYDemo C:\Workarea\XCOPYDemoFolder /T /E

common mistakes

If something can go wrong, it probably will. The same is true if you copy files independently of the volume. The following are the most common Xcopy errors you may encounter.

Invalid number of arguments

This error usually occurs when the command you type contains spaces. To avoid this error, when entering a source or destination path that contains spaces, enclose the path in double quotes.

For example, if the pathC:\Documents and Settings, the entrance way is"C:\Documents and Settings".

Unable to perform cyclic replication

This error occurs when the source directory you are copying contains a destination directory. In this case, xcopy will start a loop and generate an error. When using Xcopy, to copy all directories and subdirectories, the destination must be a completely separate directory or disk.

parsing error

This error occurs when you enter incorrect or invalid syntax in a command. For example, this error may occur if you specify the path in quotation marks, but the closing quotation mark is missing.

For example, the target path for the following command is missing double quotes.

Xcopy C:\Workarea "C:\Workarea\XCopy Demo /S /I /E /Y

exit code

Xcopy returns the exit code of the operation, which you can use to determine whether the operation was successful. Exit codes are useful, especially if your task or script performs actions based on the exit code it receives.

The command shell stores exit codes%errorlevel%Changing. Your code can then check the value of this variable to determine the result of the xcopy operation.

Below is a table of all Xcopy exit codes.

Scripting with Xcopy

In addition to using Xcopy interactively, you can get additional benefits if you use it to automate tasks through scripts. Below are some examples that show how to use Xcopy in scripts.

Xcopy batch script for copying data with error handling

This sample batch script recursively copies all files using error handling logic. Depending on the error or exit code, the script will return a message with the reason for the error.

To create a batch file, open a text or code editor of your choice, copy and paste the code below into the editor, and save the file asCopy complete.bat.

@echo offrem This batch file copies all source files in all directories and subdirectories from source path (%1) to destination path (%2) xcopy %1 %2 /s /eif errorlevel 4 goto lowmemoryif errorlevel 2 goto abortif errorlevel 0 goto exit :lowmemoryecho There is not enough memory to copy the file, or invalid drive or command line syntax is returned. goto exit:abortecho You pressed CTRL+C, the copy operation was aborted. goto exit:exit

Then, to run the script, find its name in the command line or PowerShell, followed by the source and destination folders.

pycomplete.bat map xcopydemo xcopydemo

Xcopy batch script to move data

Xcopy has no built-in functionality to move files and folders from source to destination. However, to work around this, you can create a script that first copies the files and then deletes them from the source.

The code below copies the file to the destination. If the copy process is successful, the script will delete the source files. Copy the code below and save it in a file namedmove the file.bat.

rem batch file to move files is not 0 echo Copy operation failed.

Then run thismove the file.batTo create a batch file, search for its name in the command line or PowerShell, followed by the source and destination paths, just as you did in the previous example.

movefiles.bat map xcopydemo xcopydemo

diploma

If your job is to bulk copy files or backup files, Xcopy is a great tool to make your job easier. Xcopy provides accurate and fast file copying results and offers many options to customize the behavior according to your needs.