Using Robocopy to Copy Entire Directories

Written by Barry Dysert (last updated October 2, 2017)

11

Robocopy is the tool to use when working with entire directories, since that's what it was designed to do. If you only want to copy a directory (and its included files) to another directory, you can use the basic syntax for Robocopy, and you need not specify any options. So let's say you have a directory tree that looks like this:

C:\Temp1\Temp2

The Temp1 directory contains a file named T1.tmp. The Temp1\Temp2 directory contains a file named T1T2.tmp.

Now, let's say you want to copy the Temp1 directory (and its files) to a new directory called C:\Temp3. The command to do this is:

ROBOCOPY C:\Temp1 C:\Temp3

Robocopy creates the C:\Temp3 directory and copies the files from the C:\Temp1 directory into it. If you want to copy the entire directory tree under C:\Temp1 you just need to add the /E switch to the command:

ROBOCOPY C:\Temp1 C:\Temp3 /E

This results in the creation of C:\Temp3, and all of the files and folders under C:\Temp1 will be copied to the newly built tree under C:\Temp3.

 This tip (13188) applies to Windows 7, 8, and 10.

Author Bio

Barry Dysert

Barry has been a computer professional for over 35 years, working in different positions such as technical team leader, project manager, and software developer. He is currently a software engineer with an emphasis on developing custom applications under Microsoft Windows. When not working with Windows or writing Tips, Barry is an amateur writer. His first non-fiction book is titled "A Chronological Commentary of Revelation." ...

MORE FROM BARRY

Removing an Update

Windows installs updates automatically by default. If you want to remove an update, this tip tells you how.

Discover More

Using the Hosts File to Block Content

Although there are better methods, you can use the Hosts file to block access to specific websites. This tip tells you how.

Discover More

Checking the Archive Attribute with Robocopy

Robocopy can work on files according to each file's attributes. This tip shows you how to use Robocopy to only copy files ...

Discover More
More WindowsTips

Stopping Windows from Creating Thumbs.db Files

Many times, the automatically created Thumbs.db file is more trouble than it's worth. If you want to stop Windows from ...

Discover More

Quick Rename of Files in Bulk

Renaming a large set of files one file at a time can be time consuming and tedious. Windows allows for you to quickly ...

Discover More

Searching From within File Explorer

Searching from within File Explorer is a quick and easy way to find files and even content within files. This tip shows ...

Discover More
Comments

If you would like to add an image to your comment (not an avatar, but an image to help in making the point of your comment), include the characters [{fig}] (all 7 characters, in the sequence shown) in your comment text. You’ll be prompted to upload your image when you submit the comment. Maximum image size is 6Mpixels. Images larger than 600px wide or 1000px tall will be reduced. Up to three images may be included in a comment. All images are subject to review. Commenting privileges may be curtailed if inappropriate images are posted.

What is 2 + 8?

2019-10-22 17:18:00

K

How to copy few of the .xml files from a folder to the other folder?

I used to copy one by one which is not right


2018-06-04 06:36:58

Vowner

But using robocopy i am not able to copy the mlinks folder content


2017-11-07 10:24:23

catherine lee

Well, using robocopy for copying entire file directroy and file sync does not sound good to me. Because its transfer speed is not good enough to transfer million of files. I am now using GS Richcopy 360 instead and I found it way better than robo. Plus it has a clean GUI so no need to remember the commands, what else would someone want. Cheers!


2017-10-19 19:30:08

Barry

I honestly have no idea. Of course you could try it out simply by opening a second command window and kick off both of your copies in different windows. I'd be curious to know the outcome.


2017-10-19 18:31:43

Questorfla

I was wondering whether there was a way to handle multiple copy routines at once and if so would it save any time or use less resources?\

For example: I have a need to copy (C:\A\*.* to D:\A\) AND (C:\A\*.* to E:\A\) making two identical sets of backups.
I currently do this by running the first one (C to D) then running the 2nd one (C to E).

Is there a way to run (C: to D: & E:) at the same time? And would it be any faster or more efficient to do so?


2017-10-02 15:20:01

Ted Duke

Is Robocopy more efficient than opening two File Explorer windows, selecting files or folders from one location and moving or copying the selected items to another location? That is not at all difficult to do, visually shows what is being processed, and would likely be easier than command-language for most users of Windows.


2017-10-02 12:48:14

Allen

Brian, see here:

https://windows.tips.net/T013186_Understanding_Robocopy.html

Note, as well, that you can type "RoboCopy" (without quote marks) into the search box at the upper-right of this page and find lots of tips related to the utility.

-Allen


2017-10-02 12:32:14

Brian Hershman

I am feeling amnesiac and rather stupid.... But how and where do you enter the Robocopy command?


2017-10-02 11:30:52

David H.

Tom: Here's a link from lifewire for displaying the command prompt for various Operating Systems.
https://www.lifewire.com/how-to-open-command-prompt-2618089


2017-10-02 07:18:06

Barry

You invoke Robocopy from a command prompt. If you don't know how to get to a command prompt, that's discussed in another tip here somewhere.


2017-10-02 06:48:29

Tom

I understand that RoboCopy comes on windows but I don't see it on my machine to give it a try. Even trying to search Microsoft is rather confusing.


Newest Tips