Xcopy

These instructions refer to xcopy and xcopy32

The following command line includes the syntax and the switches for the xcopy and xcopy32 commands when you run it from an MS-DOS window:

xcopy **source** [ **destination** ] [/a | /m] [/d: **date**] [/p] [/s] [/e] [/w] [/c] [/i] [/q] [/f] [/l] [/h] [/r] [/t] [/u] [/k] [/n]

Note

The square brackets ([]) indicate optional switches. The brackets aren’t part of the command.

The following table describes the optional switches you can use with xcopy and xcopy32 when you run the command in an MS-DOS window:Expand table

Optional switches	Description
source	Specifies the file to copy.
destination	Specifies the location and the name of new files.
/a	Copies files with the archive attribute set. This switch doesn’t change the attribute.
/m	Copies files with the archive attribute set, and turns off the archive attribute.
/d: date	Copies files changed on or after the specified date.
/p	Prompts you before each destination file is created.
/s	Copies folders and subfolders except for empty ones.
/e	Copies any subfolder, even if it’s empty.
/w	Prompts you to press a key before copying.
/c	Continues copying even if errors occur.
/i	If the destination doesn’t exist, and you’re copying more than one file, this switch assumes that the destination is a folder.
/q	Doesn’t display file names while copying.
/f	Displays full source and destination file names while copying.
/l	Displays files that are going to be copied.
/h	Copies hidden and system files.
/r	Overwrites read-only files.
/t	Creates a folder structure, but doesn’t copy files. Doesn’t include empty folders or subfolders. Use the /t with the /e switch to include empty folders and subfolders.
/u	Updates the files that already exist in that destination.
/k	Copies attributes. Typical `xcopy` commands reset read-only attributes.
/y	Overwrites existing files without prompting you.
/-y	Prompts you before overwriting existing files.
/n	Copies using the generated short names.