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blanking file data while keeping folder-file structure
4wd:
However, looking for a way to make a copy of a file structure, blanking out the data, seems like a fairly simple routine, in one method it would be 3-step.-Steven Avery (November 22, 2016, 03:54 AM)
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If you just want a copy of the file structure so you can compare and rename your local files to match, wouldn't skwire's Zero Zipper do the job?
Or RoboCopy, (should be able to handle the spaces fine since it's using the normal filesystem), and zip the resulting cloned structure.
You'd end up with a file/folder structure clone of minimal size to transfer, then you could use a dual pane filemanager, (or something like Beyond Compare, set it to only compare filenames and display only discrepencies), to simultaneously browse the clone structure and data copy, fixing names as necessary.
Not as automated as you'd like but it is reasonably simple and doesn't involve any tedious program development.
antekgla:
I see something siimilar in this post.
As 4wd pointed I think what Robocopy is the answer.
Robocopy is a command-line tool included with Windows 7 and later that easily does this job:
You could use Robocopy to create the same folder structure and zero-lenght files in another location. This command not erase your older files rather create the same structure (with zero-lenght files) in another place.
--- ---ROBOCOPY sourcefolder destinationfolder /CREATE /S
/CREATE is the key here as it is what creates the zero-length files.
Robocopy Help.
Steven Avery:
Thanks for the info.
Zero Zipper looks excellent. I ran it and it was fun. Maybe using Robocopy as well.
One extra feature would be if they gave you an inclusion capability on file types. e.g. Only .mbx and .toc (e.g. some folders have thousands of .jpgs form attachments that do not need their zero byte new equivalent.) However, the 0 bytes files are easy enough to delete en masse so that can be seen as a frill.
It turns out my save was incomplete so I am going to do email remotely till I am back in Dutchess County. And then do a new full save.
Thanks for the excellent feed back from DonL of XYplorer.
============
If you need the fastest type copy, what is recommended these days? Which tool? What mode?
Maybe Syncovery? Maybe a special fast mode in Total Commander or XYplorer? The regular modes I used on both really was too slow for my 70 Gigabytes. Many hours.
Another variable is how good they are on dealing with oddball things like ultra-long names. Each tool varies, and you like to be uninterrupted (e.g. ask the questions at the end, and always have a "Skip All" answer.)
Some of this actually repeated from earlier, 2009.
Recreate files but without content to target drive
https://www.donationcoder.com/forum/index.php?topic=18682.5
Steven
4wd:
One extra feature would be if they gave you an inclusion capability on file types. e.g. Only .mbx and .toc (e.g. some folders have thousands of .jpgs form attachments that do not need their zero byte new equivalent.) However, the 0 bytes files are easy enough to delete en masse so that can be seen as a frill. -Steven Avery (November 22, 2016, 02:32 PM)
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RoboCopy has exclude filtering capability along with wildcards for input, so you could run two RoboCopy commands, one including *.mbx and the other *.toc.
As long as you don't set the mirror or purge switches (/MIR or /PURGE) then it shouldn't delete the files created from the first run.
If you need the fastest type copy, what is recommended these days? Which tool? What mode?
Maybe Syncovery? Maybe a special fast mode in Total Commander or XYplorer? The regular modes I used on both really was too slow for my 70 Gigabytes. Many hours.
--- End quote ---
You could use RoboCopy for the copy, (RoboCopy = Robust Copy), since it's using the normal Windows API you're almost guaranteed to get a 1:1 copy of the data and it multi-threads the copy by default unless you tell it otherwise.
There's also RichCopy if you want a GUI version of RoboCopy.
Steven Avery:
Thanks, great info. Now downloaded.
RichCopy – Microsoft’s Multi-Threaded File Copy Utility - 2013 - Paul G. Tarver
http://www.tpcqpc.com/richcopy-microsofts-multi-threaded-file-copy-utility/
Great text and comments. They also reference.
15 Free File Copy Tools Tested for the Fastest Transfer Speeds
https://www.raymond.cc/blog/12-file-copy-software-tested-for-fastest-transfer-speed/
And a reminder to turn off anti-virus scanning if you want speed.
And obviously, making sure that if it is a USB port, it should be USB 3 rather than 2.
There is a fair amount of discussion about Network copying. Is that including Internet TCP-IP? I may have to read more carefully.
Can you get 50 Gigabytes in hours rather than days with any of these tools like RichCopy/Robocopy?
The other RoboCopy offshoots? RichCopy updated in 2011.
RoboMirror - updated 2014
https://sourceforge.net/projects/robomirror/?source=navbar
WinRoboCopy - updated 2016
http://www.upway2late.com/#/downloads
I don't think enough consideration is given to the question of 100% accuracy. Although in my case, not needed.
Here are a few more of the interesting discussions.
==========
RichCopy alternative file copy program to RoboCopy (RichCopy more granular than WinRoboCopy)
https://frustrateditengineer.wordpress.com/2013/02/05/richcopy-alternative-file-copy-program-to-robocopy/
Add a Graphical User Interface (GUI) to the Microsoft Robocopy Command Line Tool - 2012 - RoboMirror and Richcopy
http://www.howtogeek.com/130729/add-a-graphical-user-interface-gui-to-the-microsoft-robocopy-command-line-tool/
How do I ... use RichCopy for high-powered file copy and transfers? (helpful on choices)
http://www.techrepublic.com/blog/windows-and-office/how-do-i-use-richcopy-for-high-powered-file-copy-and-transfers/
Any recommendations for a seamless 'Robust File Copy' addition to Windows? [closed]
http://superuser.com/questions/200782/any-recommendations-for-a-seamless-robust-file-copy-addition-to-windows
If You Like RoboCopy, Consider RichCopy Too - 2012
http://thenubbyadmin.com/2012/01/13/if-you-like-robocopy-consider-richcopy-too/
Need fast advice on a Windows file server migration - 400+ GB - 2013
https://community.spiceworks.com/topic/323883-need-fast-advice-on-a-windows-file-server-migration-400-gb
GS RichCopy 360 Multithreading File Copying Technology
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8PxSuOVTP0
Steven
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