How does the Windows XP Copy Dialog work? ("Do this for the next conflicts")?
-
I'm trying to backup my files by copying them from my hard drive and pasting them onto an external hard drive. As a rule I'd like to keep only the newer files. When Windows finds two files with the same name it asks me if I want to copy over the file in the destination folder with the one I've copied, keep the file in the destination folder and don't overwrite it with the one I'm copying over, or rename one of them and keep both. This is all well and good but when I have hundreds of these conflicts it can be taxing. There's a check box at the bottom of the dialog that reads "Do this for the next # conflicts". It sounds convenient, but I wonder how this works. If I chose to "Copy and replace" for all conflicts because in this instance the one I'm copying is newer, does it make a rule to only keep the newest file in conflicts of duplicates or does it make a rule to always "Copy and replace" regardless of whether or not the file I'm copying over is newer? I don't want to overwrite a newer file in the destination folder with an older file from the folder I'm copying from.
-
Answer:
If you check that box then for every duplicate it finds it will overwrite the older file on your backup, with the newer file from your computer. Similarly, if you have a file on your backup that hasn't changed at all from the one on your computer, it'll still overwrite it with the one on your computer (i.e. it doesn't matter if it's newer or not). One thing you should note is that any files you delete from your computer WILL NOT be deleted from your backup. So say you deleted the song "Closing Time" from your computer, but it was backed up last year on your back up. If you just drag everything over and copy and replace every time, that song will not be deleted from your backup. When I do manual backup I actually delete everything from my backup hard drive and just copy everything over each time. This way you don't have deleted files laying around and you don't have to deal with the overwrite box. I hope this makes sense. It may be worthwhile using backup software, as it does all the work for you automatically. The software is always included with any backup hard drives you buy.
Rex at Yahoo! Answers Visit the source
Other answers
If you check that box then for every duplicate it finds it will overwrite the older file on your backup, with the newer file from your computer. Similarly, if you have a file on your backup that hasn't changed at all from the one on your computer, it'll still overwrite it with the one on your computer (i.e. it doesn't matter if it's newer or not). One thing you should note is that any files you delete from your computer WILL NOT be deleted from your backup. So say you deleted the song "Closing Time" from your computer, but it was backed up last year on your back up. If you just drag everything over and copy and replace every time, that song will not be deleted from your backup. When I do manual backup I actually delete everything from my backup hard drive and just copy everything over each time. This way you don't have deleted files laying around and you don't have to deal with the overwrite box. I hope this makes sense. It may be worthwhile using backup software, as it does all the work for you automatically. The software is always included with any backup hard drives you buy.
Minimarkoman
Related Q & A:
- How to install themes on windows XP?Best solution by thepcmanwebsite.com
- How do you connect Outlook Express to Windows XP?Best solution by Yahoo! Answers
- How to install windows xp?Best solution by Super User
- How to install Windows XP from Pen Drive?Best solution by Yahoo! Answers
- Why won't Minecraft work on my windows XP?Best solution by answers.yahoo.com
Just Added Q & A:
- How many active mobile subscribers are there in China?Best solution by Quora
- How to find the right vacation?Best solution by bookit.com
- How To Make Your Own Primer?Best solution by thekrazycouponlady.com
- How do you get the domain & range?Best solution by ChaCha
- How do you open pop up blockers?Best solution by Yahoo! Answers
For every problem there is a solution! Proved by Solucija.
-
Got an issue and looking for advice?
-
Ask Solucija to search every corner of the Web for help.
-
Get workable solutions and helpful tips in a moment.
Just ask Solucija about an issue you face and immediately get a list of ready solutions, answers and tips from other Internet users. We always provide the most suitable and complete answer to your question at the top, along with a few good alternatives below.