Robocopy does not copy files? Try these quick fixes

Those of you who are more versed in the ways of command line based programs probably know what Robocopy is. For those of you who don’t know, Robocopy, or Robust File Copy, is a command line directory and / or file replication command for Microsoft Windows.

Robocopy stands out for its capabilities beyond Windows’ built-in copy and Xcopy commands, but unfortunately, it’s still software, and users have reported having trouble using it:

I have several scripts that I use on a daily basis that use copy, xcopy, and robocopy, and they all work currently except this one. I am using the same standard switches that I use in my other scripts.
robocopy “K: \ Some Folder” “H: \ Files \ 1” / e / w: 0 / r: 2 / MIR
All files directly in K: \ Some Folder are copied. But any file in, say K: \ Some Folder \ Some Subfolder is not copied. I looked it up and using / s or / e it should also copy all the files into the subdirectories.

Due to its simplicity, most of the time a problem with command line based tools is usually caused by users not using it accordingly. Further investigation into the issue revealed that this was also the case in our situation.

How do I get Robocopy to copy all the files?

Interestingly, the solution to the problem is actually an alternative solution. Instead of using Robocopy to copy files, it is better to use Xcopy instead:

So instead of this command line:

  • robocopy “K: \ Some Folder” “H: \ Files \ 1” / e / w: 0 / r: 2 / MIR

User should use this:

  • xcopy “K: \ Some Folder” “H: \ Files \ 1” / c / s / e / ycopybug

How do I also make the Robocopy copy files, not just the folder?

Other users reported that they were having problems with Robocopy as well, the only difference was that in their case Robocopy was not copying the folders they wanted:

This is what I wrote while reading other forum posts:
title Backup personal files
robocopy D: \ W: \ Backup / e / mir / np / tee /log+:backup_log.txt
pause
However, the following script does not makes a backup of all files.

Again, the problem here was the fact that the user imputed the wrong command line:

The user used this line:

  • robocopy D: \ W: \ Backup / e / mir / np / tee /log+:backup_log.txt

When, instead, I should have used this:

  • robocopy D: \ Folder_1 W: \ Backup / e / mir / np / tee /log+:backup_log.txt
    • Folder_1 is the name of the folder in D: that requires a backup.

For those who have more folders that need backup, then you need to specify each folder, for example:

  • robocopy D: \ Folder_1 W: \ Backup / e / mir / np / tee /log+:backup_log.txt
  • robocopy D: \ Folder_2 W: \ Backup / e / mir / np / tee /log+:backup_log.txt

By using the correct command lines and the right program for any task, you should be able to use both Robocopy and Xcopy with no further hassle.

If you know of another way to solve this problem, please share it in the comment section below so other users can give it a try too.

by Abdullah Sam
I’m a teacher, researcher and writer. I write about study subjects to improve the learning of college and university students. I write top Quality study notes Mostly, Tech, Games, Education, And Solutions/Tips and Tricks. I am a person who helps students to acquire knowledge, competence or virtue.

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