Using xcopy for backup

[Don Culp]

I'm trying to use xcopy from a batch file to back up drive d to drive j
(both local drives). The command is:

xcopy d:\*.* j:\backup\*.* /s /h /e /v /d

However, this gives an error message:

Can't read file: "\System Volume Information"

and aborts without copying anything. ("System Volume Information" is a
folder in the root folder of d. The Security for this folder is set to allow
reading it.)

I attempted to exclude "\System Volume Information" during xcopy with the
following command but still get the same results:

xcopy d:\*.* j:\backup\*.* /s /h /e /v /d /exclude:"\System Volume
Information"

I realize that I could put everything that I want to backup on d: into a
single folder and then backup only that folder but I would prefer not to do
this. Also, the batch file has commands to backup other parts of my system
(in addition to drive d so I'd prefer not to abandon this batch file.

Thanks for any suggestions.

Don Culp

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

I'm trying to use xcopy from a batch file to back up drive d to drive j
(both local drives). The command is:

xcopy d:\*.* j:\backup\*.* /s /h /e /v /d

However, this gives an error message:

Can't read file: "\System Volume Information"

and aborts without copying anything. ("System Volume Information" is a
folder in the root folder of d. The Security for this folder is set to allow
reading it.)

I attempted to exclude "\System Volume Information" during xcopy with the
following command but still get the same results:

xcopy d:\*.* j:\backup\*.* /s /h /e /v /d /exclude:"\System Volume
Information"

I realize that I could put everything that I want to backup on d: into a
single folder and then backup only that folder but I would prefer not to do
this. Also, the batch file has commands to backup other parts of my system
(in addition to drive d so I'd prefer not to abandon this batch file.

Thanks for any suggestions.

Don Culp

I recommend you keep things simple: Instead of excluding certain
folders, just tell xcopy to continue, regardless of errors. If you don't
then xcopy might get stuck with other issues, e.g. locked files. Note
the switches I added, and note that the destination should NOT
have any wildcard characters.

xcopy d:\*.* j:\backup\ /s /h /e /v /d /y /c

 

[Stubby]

I recommend you keep things simple: Instead of excluding certain
folders, just tell xcopy to continue, regardless of errors. If you don't
then xcopy might get stuck with other issues, e.g. locked files. Note
the switches I added, and note that the destination should NOT
have any wildcard characters.

xcopy d:\*.* j:\backup\ /s /h /e /v /d /y /c

Should /m be used so files don't get backed up again unless modified?

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

Should /m be used so files don't get backed up again unless modified?

The /m switch is appropriate if you're backing up to a different target
folder each time.

Since you're backing up to the same target folder, you should use the /d
switch.

 

[Bob I]

"Exclude" points to a text file containing a list of the files to exclude.

 

[Stan Weiss]

The /m switch is appropriate if you're backing up to a different target
folder each time.

Since you're backing up to the same target folder, you should use the /d
switch.

What does the /d do? I have only ever used /d:date.
Stan

 

[Bob I]

What does the /d do? I have only ever used /d:date.
Stan

Leaving the date blank only copies newer, please enter XCOPY /? on
command line to see explanation.

 

[Stan Weiss]

Leaving the date blank only copies newer, please enter XCOPY /? on
command line to see explanation.

Thanks, that is good to know.
Stan

 

[Bob I]

Thanks, that is good to know.
Stan

You're welcome

 

[Jay Somerset]

You're welcome

You might want to try XXCOPY instead of the XCOPY program provided by
Microsoft. XXCOPY is feature-rich, and has a /CLONE parameter which makes
backups really easy.

 

[Bob I]

You might want to try XXCOPY instead of the XCOPY program provided by
Microsoft. XXCOPY is feature-rich, and has a /CLONE parameter which makes
backups really easy.

No thanks, XCOPY works just fine for my purposes.