Hi
This step-by-step article describes how to copy a folder to another folder
and retain its permissions.
When you copy or move files and folders by using Windows Explorer, the
permissions that are set on the files or folders may change. For example,
when you copy a file in an NTFS file system volume or between two NTFS
volumes, Windows 2000 treats it as a new file. As a new file, it takes on
the permissions of the destination folder, and you become the CREATOR
OWNER.
NOTE: You must have Write permission for the destination folder to copy
files and folders.
You can use the Xcopy command with the /O/X/E/H/K switches to copy the
files and retain the existing permissions that have been specifically
applied to the file or files.
These switches have the following effects:
/E - Copies folders and subfolders, including empty ones.
/H - Copies hidden and system files also.
/K - Copies attributes. Typically, Xcopy resets read-only attributes.
/O - Copies file ownership and ACL information.
/X - Copies file audit settings (implies /O).
NOTE: This procedure does not override inherited permissions. When you use
the Xcopy command with the /O /X /E /H /K switches to copy the files, the
following inherited permissions apply:
The security settings that are directly assigned to the files and folders
are retained.
The security settings that are inherited from the source parent folder are
lost.
The security settings of the destination folders are inherited.
When you move files or folders to FAT volumes, the folders and files lose
their NTFS permissions because FAT volumes do not support NTFS permissions.
For more information about inheritance, see the "Changing inherited
permissions" topic in Windows Help.
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Copy a Folder to Another Folder and Retain its Permissions
Click Start, and then click Run.
In the Open box, type cmd, and then click OK.
Type xcopy sourcedestination /O /X /E /H /K and then press ENTER, where
source is the source path for the files to be copied, and destination is
the destination path for the files.
Example
Type xcopy c:\olddocs c:\newdocs /O /X /E /H /K, and then press ENTER,
where olddocs is the source folder and newdocs is the destination folder.
For more information about Xcopy switches, type xcopy /? at the command
prompt, and then press ENTER. For additional information about Xcopy
switches, click the article number below to view the article in the
Microsoft Knowledge Base:
240268 COPY, XCOPY, and MOVE Overwrite Functionality Changes in Windows
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Subbu
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.
