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Is it possible to use robocopy to copy only the files that do not exist in destination?
robocopy has a /is (include same files) switch. What I am looking for is an /xs switch. If a file exists in both the source and the destination I don't want it to be copied. The criteria is file name only, regardless of modified day, size, etc. For example, even if the source has a newer file (based on modified date) than the same file in the destination, I don't want it to be copied. Possible to do this? Thanks.
yky
Posted 2012-08-25T02:30:50.477
Reputation: 321
4Use /FFT if you copy between different filesystems (NTFS, FAT). It should prevent Robocopy from thinking that a file is older/newer while it is actually the same date and time. – Martin – 2014-10-22T09:44:08.977
@HarryJohnston, I have a script that runs in a .bat file and it seems to copy the files but overwrites the file in the destination folder. What I want to know is how do I get this script to move the files and in the destination folder add a timestamp as part of the destination file name ?
START /WAIT robocopy %EFM_EXPORT% %EFM_TEMP% *.CFX /S /NP /R:5 /W:5 /XX /XD *PR *PA *TA *DC *Bypass /MOV /LOG:%EFM_MOVE%– DJ KRAZE – 2016-09-01T16:52:17.813@DJKRAZE: I don't think you can do that with robocopy; there's no provision for renaming the files as they are copied/moved. You could probably do it in batch language if you wanted (with the
movecommand providing the underlying functionality) though personally I'd prefer almost anything else, Powershell or cscript perhaps if you don't want to use a compiled language. But if you have to use batch there are plenty of batch-language experts on Stack Overflow. – Harry Johnston – 2016-09-01T21:26:17.560I think I will do this with PowerShell as a last resort but C# I can have this done in 5 mins.. thanks.. I was just trying to help someone – DJ KRAZE – 2016-09-01T21:57:09.487
5Worth adding the
/sswitch as well otherwise it won't enter directories if they already exist. – Tom Carpenter – 2017-07-16T18:03:06.800@Tom, the OP didn't say whether he wanted a recursive copy or not. It isn't always desirable. – Harry Johnston – 2017-07-16T21:28:14.030
@HarryJohnston Sure, I was just noting it in the comments for anyone finding the answer later on as I did. – Tom Carpenter – 2017-07-16T22:12:32.050
I like to suggest: robocopy /xc /xn /xo /s /R:0 /W:0 source destination – Codebeat – 2019-11-01T02:04:37.273
@Codebeat, I recommend /R:0 only under special circumstances. Normally, if a network glitch causes a file copy to fail, you want it to be retried. – Harry Johnston – 2019-11-01T10:43:12.703
That does not work (at least if you have other options as well - i.e. /b /e /copyall). Robocopy looks at timestamp and I believe even if the last accessed time stamp is different, it will copy. If there is a way, would love to know about it. – None – 2012-11-21T02:49:26.273
The /xn and /xo options should prevent robocopy from copying because of a different timestamp. Worked fine when I tested it. Robocopy does not pay attention to the last accessed timestamp. Your answer will probably be removed (because it isn't an answer) but you can email me if you want to discuss this. – Harry Johnston – 2012-11-21T03:41:28.360