How do I write a batch script that copies one directory to another, replaces old files?

Question

I'd like a batch script in Windows with which I can copy one directory to another. If this directory already exists, and then for each file that already exists in both with the same name and location, it should be overwritten, if it does not exists, it should just be added.

In the end it should be a batch script to which I can pass 2 arguments, source & destination.

Answer 1

In your batch file do this

set source=C:\Users\Habib\test
set destination=C:\Users\Habib\testdest\
xcopy %source% %destination% /y

If you want to copy the sub directories including empty directories then do:

xcopy %source% %destination% /E /y

If you only want to copy sub directories and not empty directories then use /s like:

xcopy %source% %destination% /s /y

Answer 2

It seems that the latest function for this in windows 7 is robocopy.

Usage example:

robocopy <source> <destination> /e /xf <file to exclude> <another file>

/e copies subdirectories including empty ones, /xf excludes certain files from being copied.

More options here: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc733145(v=ws.10).aspx