Windows Vista Forums

how to use robocopy

  1. #1


    niks Guest

    how to use robocopy

    I am trying to copy files from my usb hard drive: K: to my network external
    drive Z:
    I am trying to copy everything from one to another (files in folders and
    files that are not in folders)

    I tried selecting all and then send to Z:, but it took about six hours to
    copy about 20 gig (I have about 180 gig to copy)

    I read some where that robocopy is a faster and better way to copy files.
    The thing is I do not know what syntax to use. I was wondering if someone
    could tell me the syntax I should use to copy EVERYTHING from the usb drive
    K: to the network drive Z:



    Many thanks in advance.

    NIK


      My System SpecsSystem Spec

  2. #2


    Dwarf Guest

    RE: how to use robocopy

    Hi niks,

    Robocopy is a powerful file copying utility that is built-in to Vista. To
    access it, open an administrative command prompt. To do this, click the start
    orb and type 'cmd' into the search box. The program will appear in the
    'Programs' section of the results panel. Right click on it and select 'Run as
    administrator' and, after providing administrative credentials, the command
    prompt will open. For all the syntax details of the command, type 'robocopy
    /?' at the prompt. In your case, the syntax required is as follows: 'robocopy
    k:\ z:\ /mir'. Note the spaces in the syntax.
    Dwarf

    "niks" wrote:

    > I am trying to copy files from my usb hard drive: K: to my network external
    > drive Z:
    > I am trying to copy everything from one to another (files in folders and
    > files that are not in folders)
    >
    > I tried selecting all and then send to Z:, but it took about six hours to
    > copy about 20 gig (I have about 180 gig to copy)
    >
    > I read some where that robocopy is a faster and better way to copy files.
    > The thing is I do not know what syntax to use. I was wondering if someone
    > could tell me the syntax I should use to copy EVERYTHING from the usb drive
    > K: to the network drive Z:
    >
    > Many thanks in advance.
    >
    > NIK
    >

      My System SpecsSystem Spec

  3. #3


    Nicholas Hall Guest

    Re: how to use robocopy

    After reading posts from this group and having another look at the Robohelp
    help files I used this:

    robocopy /mir k:\ \\Mybookworld\public\ /XD dirs $RECYCLE.BIN /XN /XO

    At the moment it is copying the files and all seems well.

    Thank you for your help and advice

    NIK

    "Dwarf" <Dwarf@xxxxxx> wrote in message
    news:6822FA6F-87DA-487E-BC2F-83A8269B8184@xxxxxx

    > Hi niks,
    >
    > Robocopy is a powerful file copying utility that is built-in to Vista. To
    > access it, open an administrative command prompt. To do this, click the
    > start
    > orb and type 'cmd' into the search box. The program will appear in the
    > 'Programs' section of the results panel. Right click on it and select 'Run
    > as
    > administrator' and, after providing administrative credentials, the
    > command
    > prompt will open. For all the syntax details of the command, type
    > 'robocopy
    > /?' at the prompt. In your case, the syntax required is as follows:
    > 'robocopy
    > k:\ z:\ /mir'. Note the spaces in the syntax.
    > Dwarf
    >
    > "niks" wrote:
    >

    >> I am trying to copy files from my usb hard drive: K: to my network
    >> external
    >> drive Z:
    >> I am trying to copy everything from one to another (files in folders and
    >> files that are not in folders)
    >>
    >> I tried selecting all and then send to Z:, but it took about six hours to
    >> copy about 20 gig (I have about 180 gig to copy)
    >>
    >> I read some where that robocopy is a faster and better way to copy files.
    >> The thing is I do not know what syntax to use. I was wondering if someone
    >> could tell me the syntax I should use to copy EVERYTHING from the usb
    >> drive
    >> K: to the network drive Z:
    >>
    >> Many thanks in advance.
    >>
    >> NIK
    >>
    >

      My System SpecsSystem Spec

how to use robocopy

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
question about robocopy yawnmoth Vista General 1 29 Aug 2009
Robocopy dj12midnit General Discussion 1 06 Aug 2009
Robocopy leapyear Vista General 9 25 Feb 2008
robocopy mediaplayerasker Vista file management 3 09 Feb 2008
Robocopy Dag N Vista General 1 23 Sep 2006