I'd like to know the syntax to backup all files into another directory, overwriting ONLY the files that are newer. I want a command that I can put into a batch file. Basically, I want to be able to put in a floppy, and run the batchfile so that all files from c:\docs are copied to a:\ -- overwriting only the documents on the floppy that are older than the ones being copied from the harddrive (so that dos will skip a file copy alltogether if it sees the file it is copying is older or the same date as the one on the floppy). Hope I explained this clearly :) Thanks

If you are interested in files that are new or modified you could use xcopy *.* a: /m see xcopy /? for more details.

I believe tech-fred meant the /D switch, not the /M. XCOPY /D c:\docs\*.* a: Right, Fred? -- Leonardo Pignataro - Secret_Doom -- secret_doom@hotmail.com www.batch.hpg.com.br

I believe that you can go either way guys; using the 'M' switch you copy files with the attribute set and with the 'D' switch you copy files changed on or after a specified date.

The /M switch could be used to perform something close to what philowar described, but that's absolutely not the same thing as the /D switch. What he discribed is achieved using the /D switch. However, I now realize that Tech-fred did really mean the /M switch (right?), since that's an alternative way (not the same thing!). -- Leonardo Pignataro - Secret_Doom -- secret_doom@hotmail.com www.batch.hpg.com.br