Stupid Copying and Pasting in XP?

[Laughing Man]

Well I'm trying to update my files in my backups (just a backup of music and images I've taken). In Vista and Ubuntu the default copying and pasting is smarter. If I copy and paste, I can choose to ignore existing files that way avoiding the trouble of having to recopy and repasting them.

But in XP I can't seem to do that. It just gives me the option to copy over the existing file/folder, copy over all existing files/folders, no, or cancel.

No seems to do the same thing as cancel.

I'm looking for an application where I can tell it to "ignore the existing files and just copy and paste the new ones over".

[AbteriX]

There are many ways to do so.
There are copy tools installed as shell extension into the context menu.
There are synchronization tools
There are backup tools
There are file managers like Total Commander or Servant Altap Salamander or even freeware Freecommander with an sync tool aboard too

What have you tried till now?
What do you prefer?

If you search this forum you will find threads about this issue.
https://www.donation...shell+extension+copy    (thanks wordzilla )

[Laughing Man]

Thanks, your post reminded me to check my XYplorer file manager and found out that the backup option does what I'm asking.

[katykaty]

Well I'm trying to update my files in my backups (just a backup of music and images I've taken). In Vista and Ubuntu the default copying and pasting is smarter. If I copy and paste, I can choose to ignore existing files that way avoiding the trouble of having to recopy and repasting them.

But in XP I can't seem to do that. It just gives me the option to copy over the existing file/folder, copy over all existing files/folders, no, or cancel.

No seems to do the same thing as cancel.

I'm looking for an application where I can tell it to "ignore the existing files and just copy and paste the new ones over".

-Laughing Man (August 03, 2007, 05:16 PM)

Err, how about: Windows XP 

It's not obvious, but hold SHIFT down while you click 'No' and it'll do just what you're after. 

Why they couldn't have put a button in the dialogue box that does this is a complete mystery 

[Carol Haynes]

I think it is historical stupidity - they seem to have had the same 'issue' in previous versions of Windows too.

[Laughing Man]

Well I'm trying to update my files in my backups (just a backup of music and images I've taken). In Vista and Ubuntu the default copying and pasting is smarter. If I copy and paste, I can choose to ignore existing files that way avoiding the trouble of having to recopy and repasting them.

But in XP I can't seem to do that. It just gives me the option to copy over the existing file/folder, copy over all existing files/folders, no, or cancel.

No seems to do the same thing as cancel.

I'm looking for an application where I can tell it to "ignore the existing files and just copy and paste the new ones over".

-Laughing Man (August 03, 2007, 05:16 PM)

Err, how about: Windows XP 

It's not obvious, but hold SHIFT down while you click 'No' and it'll do just what you're after. 

Why they couldn't have put a button in the dialogue box that does this is a complete mystery 

-katykaty (August 04, 2007, 11:55 AM)

Haha and I thought I knew most of the Windows shortcuts. And yes.. why they didn't put it in the dialog box itself is a complete mystery.