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backing up files quickly

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Old Feb 15, 2006 | 07:58 AM
  #1  
calrockx's Avatar
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From: Santa Clarita, California
backing up files quickly

Right now when I copy my "My Documents" folder to my external hard drive to back up, Windows asks me if i want to replace "xxxxx" file with the new version? i say no, then the backing up stops.

is there something i can do or download a program that will just compare the folder to the back up drive's folder, highlight just the new or modified files, and only copy those over? that'd make backing up my files a lot quicker.

the ftp program i use at work, cute ftp, has that feature - press F11, and it'll hightlight only the new or modified files on the local drive to show you what needs to be copied to the server. i want something like that for my computer.
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Old Feb 15, 2006 | 08:07 AM
  #2  
midiwall's Avatar
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Joined: Dec 2002
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From: Seattleish, WA
Find the command line!
Code:
xcopy /?
Copies files and directory trees.

XCOPY source [destination] [/A | /M] [/D[:date]] [/P] [/S [/E]] [/V] [/W]
                           [/C] [/I] [/Q] [/F] [/L] [/G] [/H] [/R] [/T] [/U]
                           [/K] [/N] [/O] [/X] [/Y] [/-Y] [/Z]
                           [/EXCLUDE:file1[+file2][+file3]...]

  source       Specifies the file(s) to copy.
  destination  Specifies the location and/or name of new files.
  /A           Copies only files with the archive attribute set,
               doesn't change the attribute.
  /M           Copies only files with the archive attribute set,
               turns off the archive attribute.
  /D:m-d-y     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.
  /EXCLUDE:file1[+file2][+file3]...
               Specifies a list of files containing strings.  Each string
               should be in a separate line in the files.  When any of the
               strings match any part of the absolute path of the file to be
               copied, that file will be excluded from being copied.  For
               example, specifying a string like \obj\ or .obj will exclude
               all files underneath the directory obj or all files with the
               .obj extension respectively.
  /P           Prompts you before creating each destination file.
  /S           Copies directories and subdirectories except empty ones.
  /E           Copies directories and subdirectories, including empty ones.
               Same as /S /E. May be used to modify /T.
  /V           Verifies each new file.
  /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.
  /G           Allows the copying of encrypted files to destination that does
               not support encryption.
  /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 subdirectories. /T /E includes
               empty directories and subdirectories.
  /U           Copies only files that already exist in destination.
  /K           Copies attributes. Normal Xcopy will reset read-only attributes.
  /N           Copies using the generated short names.
  /O           Copies file ownership and ACL information.
  /X           Copies file audit settings (implies /O).
  /Y           Suppresses prompting to confirm you want to overwrite an
               existing destination file.
  /-Y          Causes prompting to confirm you want to overwrite an
               existing destination file.
  /Z           Copies networked files in restartable mode.

The switch /Y may be preset in the COPYCMD environment variable.
This may be overridden with /-Y on the command line.
To do what you're looking to do:
xcopy {source} {destination} /d /e /c
Stuff it in a batch file and you'll only have to type it out once. The downside is that doing this from a prompt will be slower than from explorer since it won't take advantage of Windows' write buffering.

But... I'm sure that there's a freebie Windows app that will do this as well. Wander VersionTracker - it's a pretty good resource to find apps.

Last edited by midiwall; Feb 15, 2006 at 11:01 PM.
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Old Feb 15, 2006 | 08:36 PM
  #3  
arjan's Avatar
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Joined: Sep 2002
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From: Mission, British Columbia
When all else fails, revert to DOS. I had actually forgotten the XCOPY. I used to know it by heart. That and DELTREE where your friend in the DOS days.
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Old Feb 23, 2006 | 11:06 PM
  #4  
ldivinag's Avatar
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From: N37 39* W122 3*
you shoulda seen the DELETE util i wrote a LOOOOOOOONG time ago for a class.

you thought the ARGs for xcopy is confusing...

my plan was to use each letter as a switch option... lol...

professor was pissed and laughing as the same time.
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Old Feb 24, 2006 | 06:05 AM
  #5  
calrockx's Avatar
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From: Santa Clarita, California
turns out i fought what i needed. just google "directory compare" and all sorts of programs come up.
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Old Feb 24, 2006 | 07:20 AM
  #6  
li_runner's Avatar
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Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 279
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From: Long Island, NY
A simple free program that windows finally realized was needed is Synctoy.

Google it, download it, it's exactly what you want.
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