Get a GUI for RoboCopy in Windows XP

by Greg Shultz | Feb 07, 2007 8:00:00 AM

Tags: GUI, Greg Shultz, RoboCopy, Microsoft Windows XP, Microsoft Windows, RoboCopy GUI, Windows XP Tips Newsletter

Takeaway: Step up your copying operations with RoboCopy! This Windows 2003 Server tool is also at home on your Windows XP system. Learn why you'll want to tap into this free, powerful resource.

If you're like most IT professionals, you probably use the Windows Server 2003 Resource Kit Tool called RoboCopy with Windows XP. RoboCopy is an extremely powerful copy tool that allows you to perform more advanced copy operations than with Windows XP's standard copy tools. For example, with RoboCopy, you can create mirror images of large folder tree structures on the same computer or on a network drive.

The only drawback to using RoboCopy is that you have to run it from the command line. This means that in order to use RoboCopy you have to remember and type a lot of switches and parameters if you wish to really take advantage of all its features.

Fortunately, Derk Benisch, a systems engineer with Microsoft's MSN Search group, created an add-in called RoboCopy GUI. This six-tabbed user interface makes configuring and using RoboCopy a real snap. Not only does the interface provide you with a large set of configuration options via check boxes, radio buttons, text boxes, and Browse dialog boxes, but it also can save your settings, which makes reusing the tool that much easier. Furthermore, RoboCopy GUI comes with a Help file and an extensive reference guide to help you get a handle on all that RoboCopy can do.

You can download RoboCopy GUI. Keep in mind that you must have Microsoft .NET Framework version 2.0 installed prior to installing RoboCopy GUI.

Note: This tip applies to both Windows XP Home and Windows XP Professional.

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Print/View all Posts Comments on this article

Why? Dave Pusey | 02/08/07

Why not? Palmetto | 02/08/07

Ha! mkurhan | 02/08/07

Well put mengland@... | 02/08/07

Another option is XXCOPY mdhealy@... | 02/08/07

No programming experience D.H. Cesare | 02/08/07

Easier TonytheTiger | 02/08/07

Try CopyRite XP dke64@... | 10/24/07

And it's Easy to Understand dke64@... | 10/24/07

Fortran Charlie #1 Kenster | 02/08/07

At least I never used COBOL mdhealy@... | 02/08/07

There's still plenty of life left in COBOL. deepsand | 02/18/07

Not to mention $$$. mdhealy@... | 02/27/07

Other Fortran Compiliers denkidr | 04/05/07

Let's not forget GOTRAN, ... deepsand | 04/07/07

Didn't work D.H. Cesare | 02/08/07

The only Robocopy switch you need lcashion@... | 02/08/07

Didn't Work for Me Either... holmescd@... | 02/08/07

How to make it work hansa@... | 02/08/07

Improper installation wturgeon | 02/08/07

Am I Suddenly Stupid? (don't answer that, please) holmescd@... | 02/08/07

The Un-Obvious wturgeon | 02/08/07

Great Idea... holmescd@... | 02/08/07

Correction... wturgeon | 02/09/07

Oops, Maximum Message Depth Reached holmescd@... | 02/09/07

Same same #1 Kenster | 02/08/07

No Multiple Sources? TravisFx | 02/09/07

reasons dtman | 06/12/08

Very lame! Brian G | 02/08/07

Agree D.H. Cesare | 02/08/07

One step beyond.... tony@... | 02/08/07

Well... Advs89 | 02/08/07

Oh hell..!! mengland@... | 02/08/07

Really?? Advs89 | 02/08/07

RE: Get a GUI for RoboCopy in Windows XP llewellyn@... | 06/12/08