I am trying to copy 1 file from one directory, to a directory's subdirectories. I'm trying to use xcopy to do it like so:

xcopy "C:\source directory\file.txt" D:\destination\dir\ /s

It's only copying to D:\destination\dir but not all the subdirectories in dir.

Any idea why?

technoguy

"C:\source directory\file.txt"

is not a valid path/filename in DOS, so let's assume you're using NT.

::== axx.bat
@echo off
setLocal EnableDelayedExpansion

for /f "tokens=* delims= " %%a in ('dir /b/s/ad D:\destination\dir') do (
copy "C:\source directory\file.txt" "%%a"
)
::==

=====================================
If at first you don't succeed, you're about average.

M2

You guys are insane here at Computing.net. How did you come up with that M2? Amazing. Thank you!

technoguy

It's the insanity effect.

=====================================
If at first you don't succeed, you're about average.

M2

This is NT COMMAND PROMPT and NOT MS-DOS COMMAND LINE

Orbital, your response was ever so helpful.

technoguy

Well akhen you can now post future questions in the appropriate forum !!

I would not have expected an NT person to know the proper DOS commands, albeit, it's not "DOS" but rather a DOS emulator, but I figure it was close enough. Your comments are just nit-picky.

Maybe instead, you could tell me that Xcopy won't work, and instead use ... or something like that, instead of nitpicking. I knew what I was doing when I wrote: "C:\source directory\file.txt" By using the quotes, I gave that clue that I was using Windows, and not just DOS, but if I had put instead: C:\sourcedir\file.txt I would not be getting the commentary.

technoguy

Oh! yes you would............

Instead of leaving 'clues', lying about your OS (the ever unlikely "DOS") and making assumptions about just what "an NT person" would know - try being straightforward from the beginning

-- and yeah, the right forum helps too (you charmer you)

I'm not one of those who think Bill Gates is the devil. I simply suspect that if Microsoft ever met up with the devil, it wouldn't need an interpreter.

Report Offensive Follow Up For Removal

Who's lying about the OS I use? This is rediculous. I've already got my answer. Move on.

technoguy

All we ask is that you post in the correct forum, period!! Is that too much to ask ??

Ahkhen - I think to do what you want you should use the COPY command.

XCOPY came about to fill a gap or gaps not covered by COPY. e.g. copying of subdirectories, empty or otherwise.

However XCOPY should do what you require, I suspect you are not using the parameters correctly.

Copy (and maybe xcopy) should work with something like this:-

COPY C:\dir\sdir\file.ext
D:\dir\sdir\ /v

Good luck - Keep us posted.

read #1 & #2

=====================================
If at first you don't succeed, you're about average.

M2

Dear Mechanix

From #1, I do not agree with

"C:\source directory\file.txt"
is not a valid path/filename in DOS,

Ahkhen advise he is trying to copy just one file, therefore COPY should do this.

He appears to have included 'destination' and /s in his XCOPY parameters, which if so is incorrect.

Regards - Mike

Good Luck - Keep us posted.

IRRELLEVENT as this is a NT COMMAND PROMPT discussion, nothing to do with MS-DOS Command Line!

You may want to try XXcopy16.
its like Xcopy but with more switches.
cons: It seems to lockup with .dat files
It may be the switch I use.
xxcopy c:\folder c:\backup /e /h

Xfactor

Thanks for replying to this post after so long. Mechanix did answer my post (albeit, his answer was for a superscripter, and I am an infant scripter). I like your answer because it looks simple. Thanks again!

technoguy