How to Use Robocopy Faster: Tips and Tricks

When it comes to copying large amounts of data from one location to another, the process can be slow and tedious. However, with the right tools and techniques, you can speed up the process significantly. One such tool is Robocopy, a powerful command-line utility that allows you to copy files with greater precision and control.

Timestamps Matter

One of the key benefits of using Robocopy is its ability to preserve timestamps even when the file data hasn't changed. This means that if you're copying large numbers of files, Robocopy will only update the timestamp for each file that has actually been modified, rather than re-writing the entire file.

Security Permissions

Another important feature of Robocopy is its ability to copy security permissions, even when the file data hasn't changed. This is particularly useful if you're working in a networked environment and need to preserve the permissions associated with each file.

IX File Times on All Files

Robocopy also allows you to specify that it should IX file times on all files, including skipped files. This can be useful if you want to copy over security changes without actually re-copying the file data.

COPY Flags

When using Robocopy, you'll need to specify which flags you want to use to determine what type of data is copied. The most common flags are D (Data), A (Attributes), T (Timestamps), S (Security), O (Owner info), and U (Auditing info). By specifying the right combination of flags, you can ensure that Robocopy copies only the information you need.

Unbuffered I/O

Another important consideration when using Robocopy is whether to use unbuffered I/O. This setting allows Robocopy to copy files without buffering them in memory first, which can be useful for large files or slow networks. However, it's worth noting that unbuffered I/O can also slow down the copying process if you're working with small files.

Copying Encrypted Files

If you need to copy encrypted files using Robocopy, there are a few additional considerations to keep in mind. For example, you may need to use the /COPY:E flag to specify that Robocopy should copy all encrypted files in EFS RAW mode. Make sure to run this command with elevated privileges to ensure that it has the necessary permissions.

LEV Options

When using Robocopy, you can also specify a LEV option to determine how deep the directory tree should be copied. For example, /LEV:2 will copy the files in the root source as well as the first level of subdirectories and so on.

In conclusion, Robocopy is a powerful tool that allows you to copy files with greater precision and control than traditional file copying methods. By using the right combination of flags and options, you can ensure that Robocopy copies only the information you need and preserves the integrity of your data. Whether you're working on a small project or large-scale data transfer, Robocopy is an essential tool to have in your toolkit.

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