Q. How can I copy all data from one drive to another with the xcopy utility?

A. You can use xcopy to copy all data from one volume to another, including hidden and system files, using the command

xcopy   /s /e /r /c /h /k /o /x /y

The switches mean:

• /s—system files
• /e—copies folders and subfolders, including empty ones
• /r—overwrites read-only files on destination
• /c—continue on errors
• /h—hidden files
• /k—copy all attributes
• /o—copy file ownership and ACL information
• /x—copy file audit settings
• /y—suppress prompt to overwrite existing file

Related Reading:

• Q. I want to enable BitLocker on a Windows Server 2008 or Windows Vista system, but what if I didn’t create a separate system partition when I installed the OS?
• File-Server Migration: Scopy Becomes Xcopy
• Add Robocopy to Your Toolbelt
• Where is SCOPY in Windows 2000?

Check out hundreds more useful Q&As like this in John Savill's FAQ for Windows. Also, watch instructional videos made by John at ITTV.net.