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

[ksuwanto8ksd]

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

[eranga262154]

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,

C:\Documents and Settings\User>

Change the path to Desktop

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

Type the command,

copy 123.txt C:\

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

[eranga262154]

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

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

Try it in this way.

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

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

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

[ksuwanto8ksd]

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

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

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

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

it say invalid number of parameter

Regards,
Cesin

[schoolbusdriver]

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

xcopy /?

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

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

[Lord Orwell]

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.

[eranga262154]

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

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

it say invalid number of parameter

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

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

[Lord Orwell]

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.

[eranga262154]

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

[ksuwanto8ksd]

eranga and lord orwell thanks your support

I still cant copy file with these

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

also

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

also this

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

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

copy config.sys c:\a

a is folder name

Regards,
Cesin Lim

[eranga262154]

but when I try copy this file, it is working

copy config.sys c:\a

a is folder name

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

[eranga262154]

also

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

I've try it.

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

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

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

[Lord Orwell]

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.

[ksuwanto8ksd]

eranga this is not working

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

lord orwell this is working fine:

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

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

[Lord Orwell]

... 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.