How do I backup files with Robocopy instead of Synctoy

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  1. Posts : 12
    Windows 11 Home
       #1

    How do I backup files with Robocopy instead of Synctoy


    I've been using Synctoy for years to backup my files, mainly to save time since we're talking about TBs here.
    Now, I would like to switch to Robocopy because I want to enable the Image Guardian in Macrium Reflect and Robocopy can bypass it, plus I've read around that it's much more reliable than Synctoy and it has more options.
    I searched around and there are guides on how to do it but I'm not sure how to set it up to do the same exact thing my Synctoy currently does.

    Here's a screenshot of my current Synctoy options :

    How do I backup files with Robocopy instead of Synctoy-synctoy_options.jpg

    I also have a second folder pair, but it has the same options so it was pointless to upload it.
    As for the "Save overwritten files in the Recycle Bin" option, I could do without it, I only use it in case Synctoy crashes or something goes wrong and I lose some files, just as a precaution.

    Can anyone please help me making a script to run Robocopy?

    Thanks in advance
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 8,057
    windows 10
       #2

    It's very simple if you use the mirror option robocopy c:\folder d:\folder /mir to make it even simpler you can get a free gui
    Microsoft Robocopy GUI Free Download - Tech Journey
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 12
    Windows 11 Home
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Samuria said:
    It's very simple if you use the mirror option robocopy c:\folder d:\folder /mir to make it even simpler you can get a free gui
    Microsoft Robocopy GUI Free Download - Tech Journey
    Thanks, the GUI sure helps a lot, I'll fiddle with it and see what I can do, I'll post here if I have trouble

    - - - Updated - - -

    The GUI doesn't seem to work very well, pushing buttons oftern won't do anything then it wouldn't create a log and I made sure logging was on, then I change options and it won't save them to the script. I guess I'll stick to the command line then.
    Other than that, /MIR seems to do what I need.

    I really need a log file though, since running the script will close the prompt once the job is finished and if I manually input the line in an already open prompt then I'll have to copy the whole output to a txt (which can get extremely tedious, I literally have thousands of files). The GUI won't do it so how do I do it from the command line and specify where to put the log file?
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  4. Posts : 16,786
    Windows 10 Home x64 Version 22H2 Build 19045.4170
       #4

    You can create a log of your own if you wish. This is one of mine.
    You'll need to specify a folder of your own instead of D:\Desktop and you only need to include the "" if there is a space in the path or the filename.

    Code:
    ROBOCOPY E: H: /E /MIR /DCOPY:DAT /R:10 /MT:32 >"D:\Desktop\RoboCopy.Log"

    You can get guidance on RoboCopy by entering
    Code:
    RoboCopy /? >D:\Desktop\RoboCopy.txt
    in a command prompt. You can also get info online
    Robocopy - SS64

    Denis
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 12
    Windows 11 Home
    Thread Starter
       #5

    Thank you guys very much, I'm getting the hang of it now with all the options and it works very well, that online guide is also nice
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 5,478
    2004
       #6

    If you want to replicate the "No file attributes excluded" bit in your picture you probably want the /COPYALL switch.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 12
    Windows 11 Home
    Thread Starter
       #7

    lx07 said:
    If you want to replicate the "No file attributes excluded" bit in your picture you probably want the /COPYALL switch.
    Ah thanks, I was unsure about that one, I'll add also DCOPY so I can preserve timestamps as well
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 16,786
    Windows 10 Home x64 Version 22H2 Build 19045.4170
       #8

    lx07 said:
    If you want to replicate the "No file attributes excluded" bit in your picture you probably want the /COPYALL switch.
    That is not what /CopyAll means. /CopyAll is not a file selection switch.

    I regard /CopyAll as inappropriate for a backup.

    Denis
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 12
    Windows 11 Home
    Thread Starter
       #9

    Try3 said:
    That is not what /CopyAll means. /CopyAll is not a file selection switch.

    I regard /CopyAll as inappropriate for a backup.

    Denis
    Uhm, ok just DCOPY then but what about "DCOPY:DAT"? I can't see the "DAT" in the guide, only "T"
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 16,786
    Windows 10 Home x64 Version 22H2 Build 19045.4170
       #10

    JunJay said:
    Uhm, ok just DCOPY then but what about "
    Code:
    DCOPY:DAT
    "? I can't see the "DAT" in the guide, only "T"
    I also use DCopy:DAT
    - It is shown in the RoboCopy.txt I suggested [i.e. in the built-in Help].
    - I had not noticed its omission from the SS64 guide. They probably regard both the DA items as irrelevant and I think they are probably correct. Windows stopped taking any notice of folder attributes years ago [Win7, I think] and I do not know what the D actually means for folders or for files. Perhaps the D meant something in WinXP and I have just carried on using it ever since.
    - If SS64 are correct, DCopy:T is sufficient.

    Denis
      My Computer


 

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