Copy large number of files but exclude certain sub folders on Windows

As an IT administrator, it is often necessary to copy large numbers of files from one system to another. This can be a time-consuming task, especially if you need to exclude certain sub-folders while copying. Fortunately, Windows provides a number of options to help you quickly and easily copy large numbers of files while excluding certain sub-folders.

The first option is to use the robocopy command, which is included by default in Windows operating systems. This command allows you to copy files from one location to another, and also provides the option to exclude certain sub-folders. To use the robocopy command to exclude sub-folders, you will need to specify the full path to the source folder as well as the destination folder. Then, you can use the /XO switch to specify the sub-folders to exclude. For example, to exclude the “Documents” sub-folder from a copy operation, you would use the following command:

robocopy “C:\\Source Folder” “D:\\Destination Folder” /XO “Documents”

The second option is to use a third-party file transfer software such as FileZilla or WinSCP. These programs allow you to select the files you want to copy and then specify the destination folder. You can then also specify which sub-folders you want to exclude from the copy operation. This is a great option if you need to select specific files or folders within a larger directory structure.

The third option is to use Windows’ built-in Windows Explorer to copy the files. To do this, you will need to open the source folder and then use the Shift + Ctrl + Right-Click shortcut to select the files and folders you want to copy. Then, you can right-click on the selection and choose “Copy” from the menu. This will open the “Copy Items” window, where you can specify the destination folder and also exclude certain sub-folders.

Finally, you can also use the “xcopy” command if you need a more automated solution. This command allows you to specify the source folder, destination folder, and any sub-folders to exclude from the copy operation. For example, to exclude the “Documents” sub-folder from a copy operation you would use the following command:

xcopy “C:\\Source Folder” “D:\\Destination Folder” /EXCLUDE:”Documents”

Using any of these methods, you can quickly and easily copy large numbers of files while excluding certain sub-folders. This is a great way to save time when transferring files between systems, and can help ensure that the files you need are quickly and easily accessible.