[RESOLVED] how to copy files and folders in command prompt

I have file and folder in desktop, how do I copy it to c:\ using command promp?

i tried :
1. copy *.* c:\
2. copy. c:\
but it only copied all files except folder. I want all folder and subfolders also included
I 'm using winxp professional sp2

Any help is greatly appreciated
thanks in advance

Regards,
Cesin

Go to the command prompt.

Start -> Run -> type cmd and click ok

Automatically you are directed to your account. Say login as a user. Your prompt display as follows,

Code:

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C:\Documents and Settings\User>

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Change the path to Desktop

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C:\Documents and Settings\User>cd desktop
C:\Documents and Settings\User\Desktop>

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Type the command,

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copy 123.txt C:\

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Here 123.txt is the file you want to copy.That is for copy a file.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ksuwanto8ksd

i tried :
1. copy *.* c:\
2. copy. c:\

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You have use xcopy. On your first attempt, it wont copy subdirectories and it contents, isn't it?

Try it in this way.

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xcopy /t /e C:\Documents and Settings\User\Desktop\abc\ *.* C:\

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Here abc is the folder on your desktop. Check is it work...

/t /e stand for specifying folders and sub folders.

eranga thanks for help
it say invalid number of parameter when I use:

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xcopy /t /e c:\documents and settings\user\desktop\*.* c:\

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I'm using administrators privilage on this computer
also I tried:

Code:

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xcopy /t /e c:\documents and settings\administrator\desktop\*.* c:\

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it say invalid number of parameter

Regards,
Cesin

Specifying /T as a parameter prevents the copying of files - it only creates a directory structure. Start a command prompt window and type

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xcopy /?

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for the usage. The switches should be the last parameters.

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xcopy C:\MyVideos D:\Temp\Backups /E /I

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to copy subfolders, use the /s parameter.
xcopy d:\foldername c:\ /s

also keep in mind that xcopy requires all parameters to appear at the end.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ksuwanto8ksd

I'm using administrators privilage on this computer
also I tried:

Code:

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xcopy /t /e c:\documents and settings\administrator\desktop\*.* c:\

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it say invalid number of parameter

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Have you give the folder name there, say folder name is a, so

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xcopy /t /e c:\documents and settings\administrator\desktop\a*.* c:\

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you not only had a typo there (you left out \ before *.*) but the *.* part is actually unnecessary with xcopy. Also since you are running this in xp most likely, you should use the 32-bit version of the program, xcopy32.exe which functions the same, has more options, and is faster.

Yes seems to me it take a long time. Better to test it. Thanks.

eranga and lord orwell thanks your support

I still cant copy file with these

Code:

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xcopy /t /e c:\documents and settings\administrator\desktop\a*.* c:

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also

Code:

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xcopy c:\documents and settings\administrator\desktop\a*.* c:\ /s

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also this

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xcopy c:\documents and settings\administrator\desktop\*.* c:\ /s

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it give an error invalid number of parameters
but when I try copy this file, it is working

Code:

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copy config.sys c:\a

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a is folder name

Regards,
Cesin Lim

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ksuwanto8ksd

but when I try copy this file, it is working

Code:

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copy config.sys c:\a

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a is folder name

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It's ok. Because you copied a file to a folder. Here our issue is folder content not copied. Let see.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ksuwanto8ksd

also

Code:

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xcopy c:\documents and settings\administrator\desktop\a*.* c:\ /s

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I've try it.

You have make slight change on this code. Neglect *.* and try it. Works for me. Just like this.

Code:

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xcopy c:\documents and settings\administrator\desktop\a c:\ /s

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This is copy all the files and folders(including sub folders) to the specified place. Here from folder a to the c drive.

change this:
xcopy c:\documents and settings\administrator\desktop\*.* c:\ /s
to this:
xcopy "c:\documents and settings\administrator\desktop\*.*" c:\ /s

spaces separate different parameters. you need to enclose it in quotes so it knows that is one parameter only. Either that or use the 8.3 filename format.

eranga this is not working

Code:

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xcopy c:\documents and settings\administrator\desktop\a c:\ /s

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lord orwell this is working fine:

Code:

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xcopy "c:\documents and settings\administrator\desktop\*.*" c:\ /s

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lord orwell could you explaint why should used "...". I look at the xcopy /? they didnt use "..."

Thanks eranga and lord orwell, all your support and help are very much appreciated.

Regards,
Cesin

... is not an xcopy command. it is a directory shortcut. There is no reason not to use it. it simply means go up 2 levels in the directory tree.