Reverse sync files using RoboCopy? (or any other tool/app/hack)

OK, this one is a little complex. I hope I am able to explain properly.

I recently "discovered" Robocopy, and one particular use of it that I hope I can further exploit. The command in question is:

Code:

robocopy {source} {destination} /e /create

What it does is create a copy of the source directory/drive in the destination directory/drive, but with zero-sized files. You can use Windows Explorer to search through the files just like normal files, perform cut-copy-paste operations on them, just like normal files, except these files are zero-size.

So, currently I use this to make a "zero-sized" copy of my external hard drives on my laptop's drive and use it as a kinda of index to search if and where I have what I am looking for on any of my external drives. It is useful if the need arises when I am not at home or at work, and also saves me the trouble of firing up the external drives for small searches often.

Now the meat of the query: I have an Unsorted folder in each of my External Drives where I dump files and then sort them to the intended location at a later time. Now, since Robocopy can also be used to sync files across source and destination directory/drives, it got me wondering if there is a way I can do the sorting on the "zero-sized" copy of the external files in my free time (like when I am traveling to and from work) and then sync this sorting to the actual respective external drives when I connect them to the laptop. This way I have more free time at home that can be spent with family and friends (and Netflix).

I hope I was able to explain correctly. I got a great reply to a seemingly complex query earlier which encouraged me to ask this here.

I am also open to any third party app or non-robocopy method that can achieve this, as long as I am not required to keep the full-sized backup of the External Drives on the laptop. It hasn't got that kinda space.

Thanks and keep up the good work. :)

If you need an index of your c: drive, you can use the tree cmd like so:

Code:

tree c: /f /a > windows_c.txt

This would output a nice tree index of all your folders and files in the drive you specify, then output it to a text file - windows_c.txt so you have a file you can use as an index.

titetanium said:

If you need an index of your c: drive

Thanks, but that is not my requirement.

Try to pipe it | thru sort.exe

ReyKenobi said:

OK, this one is a little complex. I hope I am able to explain properly.

I recently "discovered" Robocopy, and one particular use of it that I hope I can further exploit. The command in question is:

Code:

robocopy {source} {destination} /e /create

What it does is create a copy of the source directory/drive in the destination directory/drive, but with zero-sized files. You can use Windows Explorer to search through the files just like normal files, perform cut-copy-paste operations on them, just like normal files, except these files are zero-size.

So, currently I use this to make a "zero-sized" copy of my external hard drives on my laptop's drive and use it as a kinda of index to search if and where I have what I am looking for on any of my external drives. It is useful if the need arises when I am not at home or at work, and also saves me the trouble of firing up the external drives for small searches often.

Now the meat of the query: I have an Unsorted folder in each of my External Drives where I dump files and then sort them to the intended location at a later time. Now, since Robocopy can also be used to sync files across source and destination directory/drives, it got me wondering if there is a way I can do the sorting on the "zero-sized" copy of the external files in my free time (like when I am traveling to and from work) and then sync this sorting to the actual respective external drives when I connect them to the laptop. This way I have more free time at home that can be spent with family and friends (and Netflix).

I hope I was able to explain correctly. I got a great reply to a seemingly complex query earlier which encouraged me to ask this here.

I am also open to any third party app or non-robocopy method that can achieve this, as long as I am not required to keep the full-sized backup of the External Drives on the laptop. It hasn't got that kinda space.

Thanks and keep up the good work. :)