Copying a folder from drive d: to drive h: using Dos

st999

I have a folder on an external drive that I want to copy to another external drive and Windows 10 throws a wobbly and complains that some of the files need admin permission or trusted and doesn't copy them.

I tried copying using dos but some files copy then it stops at the same files probably because the syntax of my command is wrong.

The name of the folder will be called CannotCopy and I want it to copy from USB drive d: to USB drive h: and be called Copied.

what exactly do I type in at the command prompt to make that happen?

I can use a Windows 10 laptop.

Meepster

xcopy d:\cannotcopy h:\copied /O /X /E /H /K

onomatopoeia99

If you need admin rights to copy in "Windows" you will need them in a command prompt as well. It's not a matter of changing the syntax of the command.

It's better to tackle problems by telling us the exact problem, with the exact error message and the file name(s) it occurs on. You may be able to achieve the copy using an elevated command prompt, but it depends on the error.

DoaM

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/323007/how-to-copy-a-folder-to-another-folder-and-retain-its-permissions

(To explain what the above in post #2 does).

st999

I tried that and it stopped before all the files were copied with

The system cannot find the path specified.

kwikbreaks

From https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_10-security-winpc/cannot-zip-a-folder-access-denied-windows-10/cf6a3c7c-65e4-4ec3-970e-d0526e86637a

(I found this when I looked up what would happen if trying to zip such a folder)

We understand you are unable to zip a folder, we'll certainly assist you with this.

Please share this information to assist you better.

Have you made any recent changes prior to this issue?
Which build is currently installed in your computer?
The various reasons why you get an access denied error are:

a: You may not have ownership of a file or folder.

b: You may not have the proper permissions.
c: The file or folder may be Encrypted.

Refer to the below methods and check if it helps.

Method 1:

1. Right-click the file or folder, and then click Properties.

2. Click the Security tab, and then click Edit.

3. Do one of the following:

4. To set permissions for a user that is not listed under Group or user names. Click on Add and type Everyone and click on OK. Give full permissions to the folder. Then click on OK.Then try to zip to a compressed folder.

Method 2: I suggest you to perform the system maintenance troubleshooter. It will resolve the common system problems.
1. Tap on Windows Key and click on search bar.
2. Type !!!8220;Troubleshooting!!!8221; without the quotes and click on Troubleshooting.
3. Then click on System and Security.
4. Click on System Maintenance.
5. Click on Next and follow the prompts to run the troubleshooter.

st999

non of the files are zipped.

John_Gray

A possible reason is that the file and/or folder names include blank(s).

Try adding double-quotes to the 'from' and 'to' fields.

Example (from above):
xcopy "d:\cannot copy these" "h:\copied works" /O /X /E /H /K

AndyPix

use windows explorer to browse to to location containing "cannot copy"


RIGHT click on "cannot copy" and go to properties.
Click the security tab
Click the Advanced box


Where it says "owner ...." click on "change"
give it the username you are logged on with and verify it by clicking check names
Put a tick in the box that says "replace owner on subcontainers etc"
Click OK


The system will then give you owner status over all files and folders within.


Try the copy again, ensuring you have write access to the destination

stragglebod

Were any of the files created in e.g. Linux? If the filenames have non standard characters in them that might cause problems.

See if you can copy them using a Linux live CD.

kwikbreaks

st999 wrote: »

non of the files are zipped.

I'm aware of that. I wondered if it would be possible to zip the folder and move the zip. It wouldn't because you can't zip the files because you don't have the relevant permissions. Take a look at the suggested solution in Method 1 to fix that. Once the permissions are fixed you should be able to do the copy. I see Andypix has also suggested that.