Copy files in folders without copying the folders

You can also use the copy command to duplicate multiple files at the same time. Just separate each file with a comma, and then specify the destination folder as you normally would. Just as with copying, the quotes in the command are only important when the file name or folder contains spaces.

However, if you try to move multiple files, as we did with the copy command, Command Prompt will throw a syntax error. There are a couple of other ways to move more than one item at a time using Command Prompt without throwing an error. Each method makes use of a wildcard character to move multiple files within one instruction. First, if you want to move all of a specific file type, you can use the following syntax to relocate the files:.

The second method involves moving everything inside the source directory, regardless of the file type. You can use the following syntax to complete the move:.

Windows PowerShell is even more powerful and flexible than Command Prompt when it comes to copying or moving files and folders in a command-line environment. The quickest way to open a PowerShell window at your desired location is to first open the folder in File Explorer.

For example, to copy a file from the current directory to another, you would use the following command:. The real power of PowerShell comes from the ability to pipe cmdlets together. Say, for example, we have a folder with a bunch of subfolders with ebooks in them that we want to copy. Instead of changing the directory and running the command again, we can get PowerShell to scan through each folder and subfolder, and then copy all of a specific file type to the destination.

The Get-ChildItem part of the cmdlet lists all the files in the current directory and all of its subfolders with the -Recurse switch with the AZW file extension and pipes them the symbol to the Copy-Item cmdlet. Move-Item follows the same syntax as the Copy-Item cmdlet. Type the following cmdlet to move all files of a specific file type from a directory and its subfolders:.

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Improve this question. Ricardo Diaz 5, 2 2 gold badges 14 14 silver badges 26 26 bronze badges. CopyFolder SourceFileName, DestinationFileName, False , where the first two parameters are strings, meaning what their name suggests and the last one is Boolean type representing Overwrite. Please, try using it as I tried suggesting above and send some feedback — FaneDuru. Thanks - when adjusting I still show the error the file already exists. Yes, VBScript is nasty from this point of view.

I will immediately post an answer with a solution to preliminary check if the folder exists Add a comment. Active Oldest Votes. Improve this answer. FaneDuru FaneDuru As in if Main folder has test1. But this is a different question You should mention this, at least. You did not show us anything of your code, except the problematic existing folders copying. I created and declared the necessary variable to be used in solving of your question This post will only work with local folders not SharePoint or Office directly.

Like Liked by 1 person. Hi maybe a different variant of xcopy that we are using. Thanks Cameron! If ever you wondered if anyone ever finds posts like this useful, then wonder no more — we do! How to copy all the files without copying an entire folder name and structure? I mean if I want to copy only files inside various directories without the directory structure, could I do with xcopy option, or do I have to perform one by one?

Thank you for your kindness. It could not be fully satisfied, but makes me happier than copy each by each. This technique will maintain the original folder structure i. The image showing the example in the DOS screen will not work as you see it there. So i can keep my folders like old times. Hi, I know absolutely nothing about running commands, etc, but I followed your instructions, and I was able to do this easily without ruining my laptop. Thanks so much for this.

I truly appreciate it. This was awesome. I used it for file on my local C drive but if you need to use it for one drive I would set it up on C and then copy across.

I cant thank you enough. Another tax year, another folder-duplication headache averted. The gift that keeps on giving — thanks Cameron! Thanks for sharing the trick. But this copies subfolder structure also.

I want to copy only the main folder structure. How to do? Hi, I am looking to copy a folder structure to all subfolders in a folder, not just to the one folder, can you assist? Hi Ryan, can you give example of the folder structure, both source and destination and I might be able to help?

I come back to this article at the end of every fiscal year. Thank you so much! Hi Tricia — commands have trouble with the file path if it contains spaces.