PC Data Backups

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How does XCopy work?

Using the XCopy Command SYNTAX

Copies files and directory trees.

XCOPY source [destination] [/A | /M] [/D[:date]] [/P] [/S [/E]] [/W] [/C] [/I] [/Q] [/F] [/L] [/H] [/R] [/T] [/U] [/K] [/N]

*Items in red may be most useful.

source	Specifies the file(s) to copy.
destination	Specifies the location and/or name of new files.
/A	Copies files with the archive attribute set, doesn't change the attribute.
/M	Copies files with the archive attribute set, turns off the archive attribute.
/D:date	Copies files changed on or after the specified date. If no date is given, copies only those files whose source time is newer than the destination time.
/P	Prompts you before creating each destination file.
/S	Copies directories and sub directories except empty ones.
/E	Copies directories and sub directories, including empty ones. Same as /S /E. May be used to modify /T.
/W	Prompts you to press a key before copying.
/C	Continues copying even if errors occur.
/I	If destination does not exist and copying more than one file, assumes that destination must be a directory.
/Q	Does not display file names while copying.
/F	Displays full source and destination file names while copying.
/L	Displays files that would be copied.
/H	Copies hidden and system files also.
/R	Overwrites read-only files.
/T	Creates directory structure, but does not copy files. Does not include empty directories or sub directories. /T /E includes empty directories and sub directories.
/U	Updates the files that already exist in destination.
/K	Copies attributes. Normal xcopy will reset read-only attributes.
/Y	Overwrites existing files without prompting.
/-Y	Prompts you before overwriting existing files.
/N	Copy using the generated short names.

Example: xcopy H:\data\*.* c:\data /e /h /k/y/r/s

The above command would copy everything located on the H:\Data folder to the C:\Data folder.