Introduction#
RoboCopy, short for Robust File Copy, is a powerful multi-threaded file management tool in Windows. Its efficiency makes it several times faster than traditional copy-paste methods.
Why RoboCopy?#
Managing a large number of files often requires organization, classification, and backups. However, dealing with unnecessary files during backups can be time-consuming. This is where RoboCopy comes to the rescue, providing a swift and efficient solution.
Command Structure#
Format#
robocopy <source_location> <destination_location> "<file_filter>" "<arguments>"
Basic Demonstration#
The following basic demonstration copies all PNG files from the “Server” location to “Server assets/yoyo”:
robocopy Server "Server assets/yoyo" *.png
Demonstration with Arguments#
Here, we use additional arguments to perform more advanced operations, including purging, copying subfolders, and excluding files:
robocopy Server "Server assets/yoyo" *.png /PURGE /S
Copying Across Disks#
This example illustrates copying HTML files from folder1 on drive D to folder2 on drive E:
robocopy d:folder1 e:folder2 *.html
Practical Parameters#
Folder Parameters#
/XD: Exclude Folder/PURGE: Remove files and folders not present in the source/S: Copy subfolders (required for folder copying)/MOVE: Move folders (equivalent to moving files)/E: Copy empty folders
Files Parameters#
/XF: Exclude files/PURGE: Remove files not present in the source/MOV: Move files/MOVE: Move folders (equivalent to moving files)
Mastering these parameters empowers you to tailor RoboCopy to your specific file management needs, offering unparalleled efficiency and flexibility.