Windows copy command syntax and examples

Using copy command, we can copy files from one directory to another directory. This command is similar to the Linux cp command, but it does not match with the full functionality of cp. Windows copy command can be used to copy files only, we can’t copy directories.

The syntax and usecases of copy command are explained below with examples.

Copy the contents of a file to another file

Example: To copy a file from c:\data\file1.doc to D:\backup\file2.doc

If the destination file already exists you will be prompted for confirmation. To suppress this confirmation you can use /Y switch with copy command. This would be useful if you are executing copy command from a batch file.

If the destination file exists, the above command will overwrite the same without asking the user for confirmation.

Copy file to another directory

When we specify a directory path as the destination, the files will be copied with the same name. We can assign a different name by specifying the new name in the destination path. Example is shown below.

To copy the file 1.doc loated at c:\data\documents to the directory c:\data\newdocs

Copy files with white space in name

If the file name has white space within it, we can wrap up the name in double quotes.
Example: To copy file, my resume.doc to another folder

Copy multiple files

We can’t specify multiple file names in copy command. However, we can use wildcards to identify a group of files and then copy all of them in a single command.
For example, to copy all excel files from current folder to another folder F:\backup

To copy all files in current folder to another folder

Use of environment variables

We can use environment variables in the copy command to specify the path of the folders. Like USERPROFILE, SystemRoot, ProgramFiles, TEMP, WINDIR, APPDATA, HOMEPATH.

For example, to copy a file to a user’s documents folder

The above command copies the file to the My Documents folder of the current logged in user.

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Windows «copy» is funny. Type «copy 1 2» and the file «1» will be copied into a new file «2». Now separate them by a plus sign instead of a space (copy 1+2) and you’ll concatenate 1 and 2 and replace the old file «1» with the result of the concatenation!

Yes, we can concatenate two or more files using copy command. You need to separate the list of files using +. You can redirect the resultant data to a new file also.

The above command will not alter the file 1. It creates a new file 3 with the concatenated data of 1 & 2. If no file name is provided it stores the result in the first file.

My Win7 cannot find a copy command, and when i run xcopy, a window flashes and exits.

I have the same problem. If you solved it, could you please explain how?

If you can not find your copy.exe file, you can download it to your windows directory or C:\ Directory depending the setting on your OS you should also be able to copy and run it from system32 or system folder.

how can i combine 2 .exe files and be able to use both after concatenation

I want to copy 2 different files(.exe,.config) from source to destination server of windows.
can you please help me on this command.

Hello i have a problem with my cmd windows 7.when i try to copy a command. Like help > file.pdf. i mean in extension pdf because i have this problem only with .pdf extension but not with .txt.So whe i execute the command. No problem. Then when i go to open the file.pdf ftom user destination the file.pdf doesn’t open say that is corrupted.please do help me .thanks

i have a file contain many lines as sources and another file has the same numbre of lines as destinations. i want to copy first line as source( c:/test/*.txt) to first line in destination ( d:/test2/), secend line ( c:/test/*.pdf) to second line in destination ( E:/test3/)……

Can I use the DOS/Windows “COPY” command in a BAT file to copy a file or a short string of text to computer memory and then paste (Ctrl +V) that string or file into a document?

Best Tools for Copying a Large Number of Files in Windows

Third-party apps for Windows 7 users

If you’ve been using Windows 8 as your main PC, you have probably noticed the vastly upgraded performance and user interface when copying files. Finally, Microsoft decided to revamp some of the core functions of the OS, which makes using Windows 8 so much better than Windows 7…sometimes.

Unfortunately, even with all the great new security and updates to core features, Windows 8 has been hampered by the dual desktop and Start Screen interfaces. I personally switched back to Windows 7 because I find the Start Screen and lack of the Start button frustrating. However, back on Windows 7, I no longer have the new more-reliable copying functions of Windows 8.

In addition to faster performance, Windows 8 also handles file conflicts and other errors way better than previous operating systems. The best part is that you can actually pause and resume copy operations, which is really useful.

However, until Microsoft fixes Windows 8 the right way, I’m going to stick with Windows 7 and that means having to use third-party apps for copying large number of files. In this post, I’m going to list some of the best file copying utilities currently out there that you can use for Windows. Depending on your copying needs, some programs are better than others. I can’t say there is one copying program that’s the “best”.

Instead of just listing them out in random order, which doesn’t really help anybody, I’m going to break them down into categories: fastest (local), fastest (network), handling corrupted data, and most features.

Fastest File Copiers (Local)

1. FastCopy

FastCopy has been tested by many people and the results show that it is far the fastest copying program out there for Windows. If you just need raw speed, then this program is the best.

Pros: copies extremely fast, shell integration, x64 capabilities, runs without installation, strong command line support, NSA file wiping utility for secure deleting, handles long path well, ability to see what files/folders will be affected before executing using the listing button.

Cons: Interface is very bare bones and not very intuitive, unable to pause a transfer, uninstalling is not intuitive.

2. ExtremeCopy Standard

ExtremeCopy Standard is a free and does a very good job of doing local data transfers really fast. For whatever reason, it’s pretty terrible for network transfers, so don’t bother downloading this program if you have to transfer data across your LAN. It’s faster than TeraCopy and very close to FastCopy.

Pros: copies data fast, integrates directly into Explorer so you can copy and paste like normal, x64-bit version, ability to pause copy operations.

Cons: standard version has no user interface, except for options, bad for network transfers, pro features are available for free in other copying programs, must install program to run.

3. KillCopy

KillCopy has a horrific looking interface when you copy files, but it gets the job done very fast. It’s also kind of old and isn’t updated like TeraCopy, UltraCopier and other popular copy programs.

Pros: can resume copy on crash, parallel read/write, resolution options in case of errors or file conflicts, some boost options for faster performance, great network performance when copying, ability to securely wipe data before copying.

Cons: terrible looking interface, doesn’t get updated very often, must be installed in order to run.

Fastest File Copiers (Network)

1. RichCopy 4

This tool was created internally by a Microsoft employee and wasn’t released to the public until years later. It’s a bit old and hasn’t been updated since 2009, but it’s ultra fast for network transfers. However, it’s very slow for local copying, so don’t use this for anything other than network transfers.

Pros: Very fast for network copying, parallel copying, ability to pause and resume copying, ability to continue copying even if network connection lost, clean interface.

Cons: hasn’t been updated in a long time, very slow for local copying.

2. KillCopy – KillCopy is just a tad slower than RichCopy when performing network transfers. Unfortunately, because of it’s horrible looks and lack of updates, it’s not that popular even though it’s very fast.

3. FastCopy – This is your best bet if you’re looking for one copying program to use on a regular basis. It’s not the fastest for network transfers, but it’s very close and since it’s the fastest for local transfers, it’s probably the best copying utility overall.

4. Ultracopier

UltraCopier is fast, but speed is not it’s main selling point. It’s got a nice interface and has a lot of useful features. Development has slowed down, but it still gets updates every 6 months or so.

Pros: works on Linux and Mac too, supports third-party plugins to extend functionality, start/stop copy, limit speed, search through copy list, simple and clean interface.

Cons: speed is above average, but nothing special.

Copying Corrupted Data

1. Unstoppable Copier

This is pretty much the only program that you can use to copy not only a large number of files, but also corrupt files. In terms of copying speed, it’s very slow compared to all the other programs, but that’s because it is the most reliable of all copiers. If you have any data that you believe could be corrupt like data stored on a hard drive with bad sectors or on a scratched CD or DVD, then you should use Unstoppable Copier.

Pros: can recover data from corrupt files while copying, batch mode, various settings for data recovery

Cons: very slow in terms of copying speed

File Copiers – Most Features

1. TeraCopy

If you’re looking for a more full-featured and fancier-looking copier, then TeraCopy is the best choice. It would actually be the best one overall if it’s copying speeds were on par with FastCopy, however, it’s only about average. Where it makes up is all the features and the nice interface.

Pros: very nice interface, integrates fully with Windows, works with Windows 8 x64, stop and start, ability to recover from errors, failed file list, very actively updated.

Cons: copying speed is only average.

Alternatives

Beyond just the above-mentioned file copiers, there are some other programs that can help you copy files in different ways. Here are two of my favorites.

1. XXCOPY

XXCOPY is a command line copier program with no GUI interface. However, if you know how to use the command line, it has over 230 command line switches you can use to create very specific copy operations that you can’t do with any other program. Want to copy only the files older than a certain date, larger than a certain size and with a certain word in the file name? XXCOPY can do that.

Pros: huge command line options, works with all versions of Windows, access remote network storage

Cons: only non-stop copying, can’t recover from errors, can’t pause and resume

2. Beyond Compare

Another smart way to copy files is to just compare two folders and see what’s different. That’s how Beyond Compare works. Even if it crashes in the middle or there is some sort of error, you can always just run it again and since it’s comparing everything, it’ll copy over any remaining items. This is the only program that doesn’t have a free version, though, so you’d have to cough up $30 for it. However, there are lots of programmers and IT Pros that overwhelmingly vouch for this program.

There are a bunch of other file copier programs out there, but there’s really no point in mentioning all of them because you’ll be better off using one from the list above. If you use a file copier not mentioned above or prefer one over another, let us know in the comments. Enjoy!

Founder of Online Tech Tips and managing editor. He began blogging in 2007 and quit his job in 2010 to blog full-time. He has over 15 years of industry experience in IT and holds several technical certifications. Read Aseem’s Full Bio

27 Best Free File Copy Software For Windows

Here are 27 best free file copy software. All these file copy software let you copy files or folders easily. These file copy manager software are available to be downloaded free for your Windows PC. These file copy software have various features, like: copy/move files or folders from one location to another at a high speed, can pause and resume the process, copy multiple files from multiple locations to any target folder, support for drag and drop, can replace Windows default copy-paste command, can be invoked using Ctrl+C/Ctrl+X and Ctrl+V shortcuts, and more. You can try these free file copy software and find which one suits you better.

You can try these best free File Encryption and Text Encryption software.

TeraCopy

TeraCopy is a free (for personal use) file copy software for Windows to copy files or folders from one location to another easily. It can replace the Windows Explorer’s copy feature with its own. It can save your precious time when copying or moving files or folders. It has a pause and resume function and you can pause the process anytime. It is a lightweight application and can be installed as a portable software also. It is fast and reliable file copy software. It has various other useful functions too.

MiniCopier

MiniCopier is a free to use file copy manager. It lets you copy and paste files and/or folders from one location/folder to another. It has a basic user interface and is easy to use. Just drag and drop files/folders to its basket and now go to destination folder by exploring it through normal Windows Explorer. Now drag and drop it to the dropbox shown in the MiniCopier interface. You can add multiple files from various locations to this basket. You can pause and resume the process whenever necessary. It has other various useful options also.

FastCopy

FastCopy is a free and easy to use folder copying software. It lets you copy the entire directory from one place to another. Select the source directory by browsing it and choose the destination directory also by browsing. Now click the execute button to start the copy process. You can set the buffer size for the operation manually. You can install it or use directly its executable from the extracted folder. It has various other useful options too.

Ultracopier

Ultracopier is another file copy manager software in the list. It lets you copy files of folders easily from one folder to another. You can use it as a default copy handler or use it when necessary. Just add the files or folders to its input window and then select the destination and click start button to start the process.

Copy Handler

Copy Handler is a free, open source and easy to use file copy manager software for Windows. It lets you manage your common task of copy/move for files and folders from one location to another. You can use it as a default copy command handler also. It saves the history of copied/moved files/folder in its list. It also comes in portable form.

ExtremeCopy

ExtremeCopy is another famous file copy software for Windows. It lets you transfer files by copying or moving in a high speed. It can be used as a default copy handler for your system. It increases the copy speed as compared to Windows system copy command. You can pause the process of copying any time. If you copy or move big amount of data from one location to another, then it is a helpful software for you.

Unstoppable Copier

Unstoppable Copier is actually a data recovery software, but you can use it as a file copy manager also. It copies data at a high speed. You can use it to copy files or folders from one location to another easily. You can pause the process at any time or when required. It also comes in portable version.

RichCopy

RichCopy is a file copy software available free for Windows. It lets you copy files in folders with a fast speed. To use it you have to select the source path and then destination. Click on start button on the toolbar or choose it from action menu to start the process. You can use the timer option also. It has various other options to choose.

SuperCopier

SuperCopier lets you copy files and folders from one location to another. It is an easy to use application. You can add files or folders to be copied to its list from various locations (target location is common as you set). You can pause the transfer at any time. You can limit the copy speed also.

QCopy

QCopy is a free and easy to use file copy software for Windows. It lets you copy files and contents of the folders to the destination location. You can drag and drop files or folders to its main screen or use Send To -> QCopy from the context menu of any file or folder. It is a lightweight application. You can save or load the queue for later use. Also you can copy files from multiple locations simultaneously.

NiceCopier

NiceCopier is a simple and easy to use file copy software. It can replace the Windows default file copy handler. You can use it simply by using normal copy/cut paste command. It shows you the list of tasks in its system tray icon. You can change its default settings like run with startup etc. It can copy and paste the data at a high speed.

Robocopy GUI

Robocopy GUI is a free software for copying files in a folder from one location to another. It copies at a high speed. It copies the contents of a source folder to the destination folder. It has various advanced options to choose from. You can save the copy script to a CMD file also and can run it later or when required.

Ycopy

Ycopy is a free copy utility for Windows. It saves your valuable time by increasing the speed of copy process. Just select the source and destination folder and after that click on Start Copy button to start the process. It can skip the files which are unable to be copied. It also has an option to pause/resume the copying process.

SchizoCopy

SchizoCopy is a free software for copying large amount of data easily. You can easily copy or move data files from one folder to another. It has faster speed and more functionalities than from Windows default copy operations. It also has a backup support option for e.g. it can resume copy/move operations in case of unexpected shutdown.

File Copy

File Copy is a very small and easy to use file copy software. It lets you copy file from one folder to another folder easily. You can copy only one file at a time by using it. It is a lightweight application and does not require installation. It increases the speed of copy operation. After selecting the source file and destination folder you can click on Go button to start the process.

KillCopy

KillCopy is a file copy manager available free for Windows. It lets you copy files or folders from one location to another at a high speed. It saves you a lot of time when copying or moving huge amount of data. You can pause the process at any time or when necessary. It replaces the systems default copy handler. It is small in size and is easy to use.

Fast File Copy

Fast File Copy is a file management software. It has a dual pane explorer like interface. It recognizes ZIP files and folders so you can choose them as a source item. You can select the source folder or ZIP file from its left pane and destination folder from the right pane. By clicking on “Copy from Source to Destination” button you can start the process of copying.

FF Copy

FF Copy is a lightweight and easy to use free file copy software for Windows. It lets you copy or move files from one location to another. You can add multiple tasks to its list. It processes at very high speed. Just select the source files and select the destination and start the process. You can manually control the process of copying or moving also.

XCOPY

XCOPY is a simple and lightweight utility for copying folders from one location to another using batch file. It has two panes Copy From and Copy To respectively. On the Copy From pane browse and click the folder you want to copy and in the Copy To pane browse for the target folder. Now you can create a batch file by clicking on “Create Batch File to copy files” button to create a BAT file. You can double click this batch file or run it from command prompt to start the copy process.

Iman File Copier

Iman File Copier is a free tool to copy data from one folder to another. Its basic purpose is to copy data from CDs or DVDs where Windows fails to copy. You can use it to copy normal files also. You can select or add multiple files simultaneously for copying process. And after selecting the destination directory you can click on Copy button to start the process. You can also select the buffer size of copying file process. The program does not require installation.

Fast Copy Paste

Fast Copy Paste is a free software for copying and pasting. You can copy any file or folder from one location to another easily and at high speed. You can easily select source file or folder by browsing and then browse for destination location. You can start the process by clicking on “Copy File or Folder” button. It does not require installation and can be used as a portable software.

WinMend File Copy

WinMend File Copy is a free and easy to use batch file copy software. It lets you copy multiple files and folders from various locations to any user defined location easily. It can increase the speed of copy process up to 3 times in comparison to system default. You can pause and resume the copy process at any time. You can use drag and drop method or use buttons on its interface to add files or folders to the list.

PerigeeCopy

PerigeeCopy is a file copy software. It lets you copy/move files and folders from one location to another. You can use normal copy/cut command from Windows Explorer and at the time of paste choose PerigeePaste from the context menu (by right clicking). You can make it default for file operations also by configuring it. It copies at a high speed and thus saves your valuable time.

Bit Copier

Bit Copier lets you copy files and folders from one location to another. It comes in portable version and is available free. It can be used as an alternative to Windows copier. You can copy multiple files and folders simultaneously. You can change the default buffer speed also. You can try other various useful options too.

WinRoboCopy

WinRoboCopy is a free GUI version of RoboCopy command. It lets you copy any selected folder from selected location to target location. On clicking RoboCopy! button you can start the process of copying. You can use wildcards and other switches also when copying. It has a schedule option also, so you can schedule your copy job for any specific time.

File Copy Utility

File Copy Utility is a free software that lets you copy files or folders from one location to another. You can drag and drop files and folders to its main window. Now select the destination folder and click “Copy Now” button to start the process. It also has an option to shut down the computer after completing the copy job. It comes as a single executable file and does not require installation.