Using Robocopy with File Sizes and Ages

Written by Barry Dysert (last updated December 11, 2017)

In another tip (Checking the Archive Attribute with Robocopy) we saw that we can have Robocopy perform operations based on file attributes. You can also affect its operation based on file sizes and ages.

For file sizes, you'd use the switches /MAX:n and /MIN:n, where "n" specifies the sizes of the files, in bytes, that are to be excluded from the copy. As an example, specifying /MAX:10000 tells Robocopy to exclude from copying any file that is larger than 10,000 bytes.

You can also alter what is copied based on the files' ages. The following command-line switches are used for this:

  • /MAXAGE:n - Excludes files older than n days (n can also be a date)
  • /MINAGE:n - Excludes files newer than n days (n can also be a date)
  • /MAXLAD:n - Excludes files unused since n date (LAD is an acronym for Last Accessed Date)
  • /MINLAD:n - Excludes files used since n date (LAD is an acronym for Last Accessed Date)

The only trick to using these options is in understanding what the "n" means. Depending upon its value, "n" can either represent days or a date. If "n" is less than 1900 then "n" is assumed to be a number of days, otherwise "n" is a date of this form: YYYYMMDD.

 This tip (13224) 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

Disabling Automatic Updates

If you don't like that Windows automatically downloads and applies updates in the middle of the night, you can gain some ...

Discover More

Creating a Desktop Shortcut for a Favorite Web Page

If you visit a certain Web page frequently, you may wish to create a desktop shortcut to take you there. This tip tells ...

Discover More

Changing Your Screen Saver

Screen savers can be works of art to bring some aesthetics to your computer monitor. This tip tells you how to change ...

Discover More
More WindowsTips

Renaming Multiple Files

Got a bunch of files you need renamed? Windows can help you out, but only in a limited manner. This tip shows you how.

Discover More

Undoing a System Restore

Having the ability to restore your system back to when it was working properly is great, but what if, for some reason, ...

Discover More

Creating a Bootable USB Flash Drive

If your hard disk becomes problematic to the point where you can't even boot from it, you'll be glad you have a bootable ...

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 nine more than 6?

There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)

Newest Tips
Links and Sharing
OUR COMPANY
OUR PRODUCTS
OUR SITES
 

Copyright © 2026 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.