Download details: Windows Server 2003 Resource Kit Tools

using XCOPY as a backup technique is a good method because it can look for only changed files and thus be efficient, as well as working through all subdirectories to backup everything. However, it has the limitation that any moved files or deleted files in the source directory remain in the target directory.

I have recently found ROBOCOPY which has a mirror option which does exactly what I want for backup purposes. It removes any files at the target directory that no longer exist in the source directory.

I am replacing all uses of XCOPY with ROBOCOPY as in the following:

robocopy "C:\Documents and Settings\knox\My Documents" "\\EVOLUTION\Knox\My Documents" /MIR /ETA

The /MIR means Mirror the directory and all subdirectories. The /ETA option means show an estimate time of when large files will finish. You may want to use the /COPYALL switch which copies attributes, NTFS security, ownership and auditing info.

ROBOCOPY is distributed by Microsoft for free as part of the Windows server 2003 resource kit. It also runs fine on windows XP.

It also has a cool monitor feature where it runs continously looking for changes.
- posted by Newtronic @ 8:33 AM