How to copy a folder into same folder without creating copy of folder?


  1. Posts : 3
    Windows
       #1

    How to copy a folder into same folder without creating copy of folder?


    How do I do this in Windows 10? I have a folder of files, and I want to copy the folder and all of its contents onto an external hardisk which already contains a folder of the same name, and also contains some of the files that I am now trying to copy. Prior to Windows 10, a dialog would open up asking me what I wanted to do with files and folders that already existed in the target directory, and I had the option to skip copying the ones that existed. Now it seems that Windows 10 doesn't ask me anything, and just makes a new copy of my root directory, tacking on the extra " copy" to the name.

    I definitely do not want this. I am manually making an incremental backup, and I need the old behavior, where I get asked if I want to skip the files and folders that already exist. Is there any way to still do this?

    Thanks!
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 1,366
    Windows 10 Pro x64
       #2

    I have no idea how to change this, or in your case, restore this, but by default, Windows 10 handles file copying exactly the same as previous versions of Windows.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 5,452
    windows 10 Pro ver 21H2 build 19044.1348
       #3

    stevei said:
    How do I do this in Windows 10? I have a folder of files, and I want to copy the folder and all of its contents onto an external hardisk which already contains a folder of the same name, and also contains some of the files that I am now trying to copy. Prior to Windows 10, a dialog would open up asking me what I wanted to do with files and folders that already existed in the target directory, and I had the option to skip copying the ones that existed. Now it seems that Windows 10 doesn't ask me anything, and just makes a new copy of my root directory, tacking on the extra " copy" to the name.

    I definitely do not want this. I am manually making an incremental backup, and I need the old behavior, where I get asked if I want to skip the files and folders that already exist. Is there any way to still do this?

    Thanks!
    Something has gone amiss in your computer.

    Mine works just like you wanted to .................
    I purposely copy my music folder to a flash drive which already has the folder with the same contents.
    Here is what happened...........................
    How to copy a folder into same folder without creating copy of folder?-another-location.jpg
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 3
    Windows
    Thread Starter
       #4

    Well, I wish I knew what is wrong. I have tried several times, with several different root folders, and each time the same happened ... I didn't get prompted for what I wished to have done, and the new "copy" version of the root folder was created. I would suspect that somehow my PC has been told that this is the default behavior that I would like to have happen, and because of that I am no longer asked. If this is the case, then I have to figure out how to undo authorizing this default behavior. Anyone have any ideas?
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 3
    Windows
    Thread Starter
       #5

    Ah I found it! I Googled what the message is given as on my Windows 7 laptop, where the desired behavior still occurs, and I found this link that explains it all:

    How to Enable Folder Merge Conflict Message in Windows 8 and Later? - AskVG

    As I assumed, Windows 10 (and in fact Windows 8 and above) have irritatingly made as default the behavior I am now observing on my Windows 10 machine. The link above explains how to revert things back to how it worked in Windows 7.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 5,452
    windows 10 Pro ver 21H2 build 19044.1348
       #6

    Congrats.
    Now mark your thread as Solved so others with the same question will know there is an answer in this thread.
    Thank you.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 822
    Microsoft Windows 10 Pro 64-bit
       #7

    Just in case Askvg.com does not stand the test of time this is the solution @stevei was looking for

    How to copy a folder into same folder without creating copy of folder?-unhide-merge-confict.jpg

    How to copy a folder into same folder without creating copy of folder?-full-unide-merge-conflict.jpg
      My Computer


 

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