Robocopy — memo sheet

Robocopy reference for copying, migrations, ACLs, restartability, performance, filters, logs, dry runs and exit-code interpretation.

Core examples

Recursive copy — robocopy C:\Source D:\Destination /ECopies subfolders including empty ones without deleting destination extras.
Dry run — robocopy C:\Source D:\Destination /E /LShows what would happen without copying.
Logging — robocopy C:\Source D:\Destination /E /TEE /LOG:C:\Logs\robocopy.logTEE writes to console and log.
Restartable network copy — robocopy C:\Source \\Serveur\Partage /E /Z /R:2 /W:5/Z supports restartability but can affect performance.

/E — Inclut sous-dossiers videsIncludes empty subdirectories without purging extras.
/S — Sous-dossiers non videsAlternative when empty directories are not needed.
/XD — Exclure dossiersExample: /XD "System Volume Information" Temp.
/XJ — Exclure jonctionsAvoids some loops/unwanted junction traversal.

/XF — Exclure fichiersAccepts names and patterns such as *.tmp.
/MAX — Taille maximale en octetsUseful to exclude very large files in an initial pass.
/MINAGE — Exclude files newer than the specified age or date. Check date/age syntax before production.
/MAXAGE — Exclude files older than the specified age or date. Useful for archive scopes.

/COPY:DAT — Data, Attributes, TimestampsTypical content copy without NTFS security.
/COPY:DATSOU — Data, Attributes, Timestamps, Security, Owner, aUditingRequires sufficient privileges for S/O/U.
/COPYALL — Equivalent to /COPY:DATSOU. Use only when full security preservation is required.
/DCOPY:DAT — Directory data, attributes and timestamps. Useful when directory timestamps/attributes must be preserved.

/Z — Restartable mode. Allows restart of interrupted large-file copies.
/ZB — Restartable mode, falling back to backup mode. Backup mode requires privileges and can bypass some ACL restrictions.
/R:n — Nombre de retriesSet a reasonable value; historical defaults can be very high.
/W:n — Attente entre retriesLimits time wasted on persistently locked files.

/MT:n — Copie multithreadExample /MT:16; increases CPU, disk and network load.
/J — Unbuffered I/O. Can help with very large files depending on storage.
/IPG:n — Inter-packet gapLegacy throttling approach; validate actual impact.
Migration window — Measure throughput, IOPS and files per second. Small-file count can matter more than total bytes.

/MIR — /E + /PURGECan delete destination content not present in source.
/PURGE — Deletes extra files and directories at the destination. Always dry-run with /L on sensitive scopes.
/MOVE — Moves files and directories. Deletes source after copying; destructive action.
/MOV — Moves files only. Source directories remain.

/LOG — Write a log. Prefer a reliable local log path during critical migrations.
/TEE — Console + logUseful for live monitoring and evidence.
0 to 7 — Robocopy result without a fatal copy failure. These codes represent copy/extra/mismatch combinations, not necessarily failure.
>= 8 — Au moins une erreur de copieTreat as failure and inspect the log.

Before /MIR, /PURGE, /MOVE or /MOV, run a /L dry-run and keep logs.
/COPYALL and /ZB require appropriate privileges and can alter destination security.
A Robocopy exit code below 8 is not necessarily failure.
For migrations, compare file count, total size, ACLs and restored samples.