recursively search C: for specific file-type type then copy w/Path

Pretty much what it says in the Header. I am sure this can be done using the correct switched in several tools like robocopy or even X-Copy but so far copying the file including its full path to another location is not working properly for me.
I think i have the recursive part working but the files i am looking for are all in hidden or system folders. To be specific, all the *.ACL files. I would like to have a copy of each located in its current full path in another folder for a project I am working on. I have a number of tools that can easily find them all. Ultrasearch is great for that. But nothing allows me to copy all 30 of them with their full paths to another folder.

Have you tried a program called "search everything" or just "everything"
its listed under other on

Ninite - Install or Update Multiple Apps at Once

It Kills e that this is something i have done before but simply cannot remember the correct steps. If they ever meed a volunteer to be the first one to have the consciousness downloadable into a computer I want to know where to sign up/
I will post back here shortly witty the code

It is done with robocopy.

Let's say you want to copy all *acl files in c:\ with path to D:\ACL:

robocopy c:\ d:\ACL *.acl /s /ndl /xj

c:\ = source
d:\ACL = destination
*.acl = Pattern of files to copy
/s = Include subfolders except empty ones
/ndl = No Directory Listing
/xj = Exclude Junctions

Let's say you don't want to copy you only want a listing with all *acl files and save it in a text file:

Code:

robocopy c:\ D:\ACL *.acl /njh /njs /np /nc /ns /s /ndl /xj /fp /l /log:D:\log\log.txt

/njh = No Job Header
/njs = No Job Summary
/np = No Progress
/nc = No classes
/ns = No size
/fp = Show full path
/l = List only (shows only what would be copied)
/log = Path to the log file

I know there is a Robocopy answer, but, since I use a similar command to backup my data nightly using just xcopy, I thought I'd try to tweak it: the following line does it:

xcopy "%1:\*.acl" %2:\acl_files\ /s/c/d/i/y/h

called with 'x.bat c d' where c is obvious and d is a drive letter you want to copy to. This re-creates the folder structure on d for any acl files it finds - I had to add /h as without that it failed to copy files in the users folder (but managed \windows and \program_files). You can change 'd' to be a specific folder, of course.

hth, Martin

For comepletenees, the PowerShell version:

Code:

$dest = 'C:\USers\Keith\Sandbox'
gci *.ACL -force -recurse -ea silent |
    copy-item -destination {
      $destpath = join-path $dest ($_.Directory.Fullname -replace ':')
      If (!(test-path $destpath)) {new-item $destpath}
      join-path $destpath $_.Name
   } -whatif

The code as posted (-whatif) won't actually perform the copy, just echo what operations it would perform. If the output describes the behavior you want, remove the '-whatif'

Keith

WOW guys. Thanks to Everyone!

Today is Mothers day and both daughters are gone from home. One is in the Military serving overseas. I got busy trying to come up with a nifty Family Mothers Day surprise for the Wife.. I never did find the code I wanted and what you have given me is More than adequate. Better than what i had :)

I often like to try changes in specific files and want to be able to have more than a folder list of how things were before i started.
The original file stored in its original location is perfect backup for things like this. With the info you provided i can also see other possible uses and I appreciate all of it