Best way to keep a copy of a directory

[p.f.moore]

I want to back up a directory to a second drive. Basically, I want to
copy all changed files, delete any removed files, but avoid copying
more than necessary. Essentially, the equivalent of RD /S /Q dest &
COPY /S src dest, but without copying unchanged files. This seems like
a common enough task, but I'm finding it hard to get the correct
command.

COPY /S /C src dest nearly does it, but doesn't delete any files
removed from src.
SYNC /S /W src dest also nearly works, but if a file in dest is
modified, it copies it back.

My best option so far is SYNC /S /W, and try to ensure that the
destination files are never modified. But as this is for backup
purposes, I'm a bit nervous. COPY /S /C isn't really useful, as if I
use this for a relatively volatile directory (my working directory,
for instance) the backup will grow indefinitely with stuff that I
tried for a while then deleted.

Have I missed any good options? (Hmm, I keep hearing good things about
the MS ROBOCOPY utility - maybe I should look at that. Does anyone
know if that would help me?)

Paul.

 

[Jim Cook]

> Have I missed any good options? (Hmm, I keep hearing good things about
> the MS ROBOCOPY utility - maybe I should look at that. Does anyone
> know if that would help me?)

I regularly use "ROBOCOPY /MIR source destination" which ensures the
destination is now a perfect mirror of the source after the copy.

I was using it before I got used to SYNC or COPY options that may
serve the same purpose, so I haven't looked into those as much.


--
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Next year they're Saturday.
Measure wealth by the things you have for which you would not take money.

 

[thomasl]

"p.f.moore" <> wrote:

> Have I missed any good options? (Hmm, I keep hearing good things about
> the MS ROBOCOPY utility - maybe I should look at that. Does anyone
> know if that would help me?)

For automatic batch-like jobs I swear by robocopy. It's versatile, small
and rock-solid (its parentage notwithstanding).

For interactive jobs where I need more control, I use a software called
Synchronize It! (see http://www.grigsoft.com/ ). This is the best
file/directory synchroniser I have found in many years of searching.

HTH.

--
cheers thomasl

web: http://thomaslauer.com/start

 

[p.f.moore]

2008/9/9 thomasl <>:

> "p.f.moore" <> wrote:
> ---Quote---
>> Have I missed any good options? (Hmm, I keep hearing good things about
>> the MS ROBOCOPY utility - maybe I should look at that. Does anyone
>> know if that would help me?)
> ---End Quote---
> For automatic batch-like jobs I swear by robocopy. It's versatile, small
> and rock-solid (its parentage notwithstanding).

Thanks, I'll get a copy of robocopy and see how things go.
Paul