Robocopy Job Template

A safer starting point for repeatable Windows file copy jobs with logging and dry-run review.

Good For

  • file share migration
  • scheduled copy jobs
  • backup staging
  • large folder moves

How to Use It

  1. Run with `/L` first so Robocopy lists what it would copy without changing files.
  2. Review source, destination, exclusions, retry count, and log path.
  3. Avoid `/MIR` until you have explicitly accepted delete behavior.
  4. Run the real copy with logging enabled.
  5. Review Robocopy exit codes instead of treating every nonzero code as failure.

Execution Modes

  • local

Inputs and Outputs

Inputs

  • source path
  • destination path
  • exclusions
  • log path

Outputs

  • verbose-console
  • log-file

Command Starter

Example pattern only. Adjust for your environment before running.

robocopy C:\Source \\server\share /E /L /R:2 /W:5 /LOG:C:\Temp\robocopy-preview.log
robocopy C:\Source \\server\share /E /R:2 /W:5 /COPY:DAT /DCOPY:DAT /LOG+:C:\Temp\robocopy-run.log

Validation

  • Preview log matches the intended copy scope.
  • Run log shows acceptable exit code and copied/skipped counts.
  • Destination permissions and sample files open correctly.

Reporting

  • preview log
  • run log
  • migration note

Safety Notes

  • Preview with `/L` before copying.
  • Avoid `/MIR` until delete behavior is explicitly approved.