Batch File That Copies 1 Drive to Another

[AverageHardware]

Hello,

 

I want to use Task Scheduler to automatically run a script that clones my F drive to my G drive at a specified time.

I'd like, if possible, to do differential backups(meaning it only backs up what has changed since the last backup). I'd also like a log if possible, retry if file fails to copy, etc. I was looking at robocopy. Any suggestions? Using Windows 10.

[Enderman]

how about windows backup...

lol

[AverageHardware]

how about windows backup...

lol

because eww Windows Backup.

[Enderman]

because eww Windows Backup.

...and your reason is...?

 

it works, and it does what you want, and you can schedule it, and you can choose what files to back up, etc.

[Bittenfleax]

@AverageHardware Windows 10 is pretty good. I mean... Windows Defender is good?!! So why not give Windows backup a chance? 

[omniomi]

Hello,

 

I want to use Task Scheduler to automatically run a script that clones my F drive to my G drive at a specified time.

I'd like, if possible, to do differential backups(meaning it only backs up what has changed since the last backup). I'd also like a log if possible, retry if file fails to copy, etc. I was looking at robocopy. Any suggestions? Using Windows 10.

 

Robocopy is the way to go:

robocopy "f:\" "g:\f-backup" /mir /Z /r:1 /log+:c:\logs\f-backup.txt

• Will mirror f:\ to "g:\f-backup" >> "f:\" "g:\f-backup" /mir
• Will resume large files if connection is lost mid-stream >> /Z
• Will retry once if it fails after waiting 30 seconds >> /r:1
• Will log to c:\logs\f-backup.txt >> /log+:c:\backup\logs\f-backup.txt

Put that in a bat file in c:\backup and create a task to run daily and invoke that batch file OR you can invoke robocopy directly:

 

[DevBlox]

For this kind of thing I suggest to use PowerShell scripts, way more powerful than batch. You can use .NET libraries to do directory scans and other useful stuff for automation and you could script some extra features in that you could not do with cmd.

 

EDIT:

For example if you are doing backups, you could script into a feature that will only copy changed files, like a version control of sorts, that way you can save space, and use another script to 'collect' the complete file set (maybe even by date). The ultimate backup script IMO.

 

EDIT EDIT:

Turns out that's exactly you want to do lol.

[yippy3000]

I second Robocopy.  It is so good at the one thing it does (copy files) people still use it in the server room.

[Blake]

For this kind of thing I suggest to use PowerShell scripts, way more powerful than batch. You can use .NET libraries to do directory scans and other useful stuff for automation and you could script some extra features in that you could not do with cmd.

 

EDIT:

For example if you are doing backups, you could script into a feature that will only copy changed files, like a version control of sorts, that way you can save space, and use another script to 'collect' the complete file set (maybe even by date). The ultimate backup script IMO.

 

EDIT EDIT:

Turns out that's exactly you want to do lol.

While powershell gets me hard also, let's not re-invent the wheel here. As others have mentioned robocopy is the way to go, unless you are looking for a more robust archival/back-up solution. (which to be honest, if robocopy could manage a tape library, i'd be fine with using it).

[Blake]

...and your reason is...?

 

it works, and it does what you want, and you can schedule it, and you can choose what files to back up, etc.

Issue is that windows backup was removed from windows 8.1+ (heck they called it windows 7 backup in windows 8.0). They do have File history, or full system images now. I'd recommend using either robocopy or something to interface with VSS.

[Enderman]

Issue is that windows backup was removed from windows 8.1+ (heck they called it windows 7 backup in windows 8.0). They do have File history, or full system images now. I'd recommend using either robocopy or something to interface with VSS.

oh did they really

 

what is this then

"local backup"

[Blake]

oh did they really

 

what is this then

"local backup"

Your referring to file history.

 

Windows 7 Backup and restore will let you continue backing up if you had a previously configured backup, otherwise nope. Keep in mind this info is from my back when I did my MCSA windows 8.0/8.1/2012/2012R2 If they have brought it back that'd be great (I still wouldn't use it).