Robocopy (Robust File Copy) is the ultimate command-line tool built into Windows for fast, reliable file replication. Forget slow drag-and-drop copying. Master these essential Robocopy commands to handle any file transfer task.
1. The Basic Power Command
This command is your go-to for a reliable copy, mirroring all data, permissions, and timestamps.
robocopy C:\source D:\destination /E /Z /ZB /R:5 /W:5 /TBD /V /MT:16/Ecopies all subdirectories, even empty ones./MT:16enables multithreading for blazing speed.
2. Mirror a Directory (Delete Extra Files)
Ideal for backups, this syncs the destination to exactly match the source, removing files that no longer exist.
robocopy C:\source D:\destination /MIRWarning: Use /MIR with caution, as it deletes files.
3. Restart a Failed Transfer
Robocopy’s killer feature is the ability to restart where it left off after an interruption, saving huge amounts of time.
robocopy C:\source D:\destination /Z /R:5 /W:5/Zruns in restartable mode./R:5retries 5 times on failure./W:5waits 5 seconds between retries.
4. Copy Only Newer or Changed Files
Skip files that are already up-to-date, making subsequent copies incredibly fast.
robocopy C:\source D:\destination /XO /E/XOexcludes older files, only copying newer ones.
Pro Tip: Always run commands in an Command Prompt as Administrator to ensure full file permission access.
These essential Robocopy commands will revolutionize how you move data on Windows. For a full list of options, type robocopy /? in your command prompt.
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