Robocopy is an ideal automation tool. It supports automation with batch scripts, Windows PowerShell commands, and programming languages.
Robocopy was introduced over two decades ago, in the times of Windows NT 4.0. But, it’s still relevant today. Many system administrators, IT professionals around the world still use it. Isn’t that surprising?
Let’s take a look at what Robocopy is, where it is used, and how it can benefit you while using Windows 11.
Who Uses Robocopy?
If your job requires copying multiple files to numerous locations repeatedly, Robocopy can be a great help. It can also help you if you have a hard time remembering long, complicated folder paths when you take file backups. Robocopy will help you automate many recurring tasks.
Backup Data
Many businesses around the world use Network-Attached Storage (NAS) drives for their data storage needs. NAS drives allow businesses to create a private, secured cloud network to access and share files in real-time.
Robocopy can be a useful tool to periodically backup your data to NAS drives and external hard disks. They can also be used to restore data from NAS drives.
Remote Location Backups
Robocopy is also increasingly used to periodically backup files to remote locations such as Network Drives.
Server Migrations
Robocopy helps server administrators to copy files from the old server to the new server. It makes the migration task fast and simple.
How to Use Robocopy on Windows 11?
Now, let’s get back to the steps:
- Click on the Search Box on your Taskbar.
- Type “CMD”
- Open the Command Prompt.
- Type the following command to copy all files from your Documents folder to the Backup folder:
- Syntax: robocopy “<Source Folder>” “<Target Folder>”
- Example: robocopy “C:\Users\UserName\Documents” “D:\Documents”
- You can also use additional parameters to change the way Robocopy works. For example: The “/S” parameter is used to copy all subfolders, in addition to the root folders. Here’s how you can use it:
- robocopy “<Source Folder>” “<Target Folder>” /S
- robocopy “C:\Users\UserName\Documents” “D:\Documents” /S
Benefits of Using Robocopy
Robocopy is popular because it has many advantages over the legacy file copying feature in Windows. Here are some of its benefits:
Performance
Robocopy beats the legacy File Copy functionality in Windows in terms of performance. Robocopy can efficiently handle large files and nested directories.
Reliability
What happens when a file copying operation interrupts in the middle? You get an error message, and you’ve to copy the same files again. In the case of Robocopy, it can skip the erroneous files and continue the file copying operation. It requires no manual intervention.
Customizability
Ever wondered if you could tell Windows to try to copy the files a certain number of times after they failed? You can do so using Robocopy.
Robocopy is a powerful tool that logs your file transfer process. When a file copying operation fails, it tries copying the file again on its own. Similarly, it can also handle sudden network interruptions. When the Internet gets disconnected while copying a file to a network drive, Robocopy will wait until your connection is re-established. Ofcourse, you can disable this feature by making appropriate modifications to your command-line parameters.
Exclude Specific Files & Folders
Not just that, Robocopy can also exclude specific files and subfolders from the file copying operation. It’s easy.
Preserves File Attributes & Permissions
When you copy a file with Robocopy, it preserves the original file attributes and file permission settings. Robocopy ensures the safety and privacy of your data by making your files and folders accessible only to the authorized people.
Preserves File Structures
Robocopy replicates your file structures to the destination directory. It ensures your data remains consistent so that you won’t have trouble finding your files.
Accessibility
Robocopy is included with all the Windows versions released after Windows NT 4.0. There is no need to separately download anything.
Stimulation
If you’re a beginner, you probably don’t want to take risks with your data. The amazing stimulator feature of Robocopy stimulates the entire file copying operation. You can then run the actual file copying operation if the stimulator works exactly the way you wanted.
Drawbacks Of Using Robocopy
Every technology has its own pros and cons. While Robocopy is a useful tool, it has some drawbacks. Here are some of the major ones:
Complex Command-line Interface
Most Windows users are familiar with graphical user interfaces. Robocopy requires learning syntax and command-line parameters. Learning them can take a lot of time and effort for an average computer user.
Errors & Warnings
While using Command Prompt, errors and warnings are inevitable. If you’re a beginner, you may often find those difficult to interpret.
Incompatible with Non-Windows File Systems
Robocopy recognizes only FAT, FAT32 and NTFS file systems. File formats outside the Windows ecosystem are currently not supported. It will be of no help if you need to copy your data to EXT2, EXT4 and other non-Windows file systems.