Copying files that are "in use" Stuck 11/23/2008 11:49:01 PM I want to copy my files from the c: drive to my external drive. after copying 4 or 5 files, I get an error: cannot copy file... file in use. Is there a way I can override this to allow copying files in use? Thought this would be simple.... Thanks.

Re: Copying files that are "in use" "LVTravel" <noone[ at ]nothere.com> 11/24/2008 1:49:54 AM "Stuck" <Stuck[ at ]discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:10C8EF49-6333-4786-9252-AFFCE1E17F0D[ at ]microsoft.com... [Quoted Text] >I want to copy my files from the c: drive to my external drive. after >copying > 4 or 5 files, I get an error: cannot copy file... file in use. Is there a > way > I can override this to allow copying files in use? Thought this would be > simple.... Thanks. If you are trying to back up your system files you can't do this from within Windows except while using a special type of program. Data files should always be able to be copied within Windows Explorer if no other programs are open. Acronis True Image and other programs are available to backup system files to clone the system drive in case of catastrophic failures.

Re: Copying files that are "in use" "Don Phillipson" <e925[ at ]SPAMBLOCK.ncf.ca> 11/24/2008 2:17:10 AM "Stuck" <Stuck[ at ]discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:10C8EF49-6333-4786-9252-AFFCE1E17F0D[ at ]microsoft.com... [Quoted Text] > I want to copy my files from the c: drive to my external drive. after copying > 4 or 5 files, I get an error: cannot copy file... file in use. Is there a way > I can override this to allow copying files in use? Thought this would be > simple.... Thanks. Windows is programmed to prevent standard file operations on any file currently loaded (and perhaps some other essential Windows system files: this is so as to prevent your knocking down the ladder while standing atop it) so you must use a non-Windows tool to copy these files, e.g. the free utility at www.xxcopy.com -- Don Phillipson Carlsbad Springs (Ottawa, Canada)

Re: Copying files that are "in use" "Touch Base" <nospam[ at ]_nospam.com> 11/24/2008 7:41:19 AM "Stuck" <Stuck[ at ]discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:10C8EF49-6333-4786-9252-AFFCE1E17F0D[ at ]microsoft.com... I want to copy my files from the c: drive to my external drive. after copying 4 or 5 files, I get an error: cannot copy file... file in use. Is there a way I can override this to allow copying files in use? Thought this would be simple.... Thanks. ======================== Which files are you trying to copy? -- Regards, Touch Base Report back on the results, good or bad so others may benefit "There's an old story about the person who wished his computer were as easy to use as his telephone. That wish has come true, since I no longer know how to use my telephone." (Bjarne Stroustrup)

Re: Copying files that are "in use" "Twayne" <nobody[ at ]devnull.spamcop.net> 11/24/2008 2:07:53 PM [Quoted Text] > "Stuck" <Stuck[ at ]discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message > news:10C8EF49-6333-4786-9252-AFFCE1E17F0D[ at ]microsoft.com... > >> I want to copy my files from the c: drive to my external drive. >> after copying 4 or 5 files, I get an error: cannot copy file... file >> in use. Is there a way I can override this to allow copying files in >> use? Thought this would be simple.... Thanks. > > Windows is programmed to prevent standard file operations > on any file currently loaded (and perhaps some other essential > Windows system files: this is so as to prevent your knocking > down the ladder while standing atop it) so you must use a > non-Windows tool to copy these files, e.g. the free utility at > www.xxcopy.com Really? Which flags? Any chance you have a bulltetin number? I don't see any such ability listed in Help to let it do so. Twayne

PS Re: Copying files that are "in use" "Twayne" <nobody[ at ]devnull.spamcop.net> 11/24/2008 2:29:49 PM [Quoted Text] > "Stuck" <Stuck[ at ]discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message > news:10C8EF49-6333-4786-9252-AFFCE1E17F0D[ at ]microsoft.com... > >> I want to copy my files from the c: drive to my external drive. >> after copying 4 or 5 files, I get an error: cannot copy file... file >> in use. Is there a way I can override this to allow copying files in >> use? Thought this would be simple.... Thanks. > > Windows is programmed to prevent standard file operations > on any file currently loaded (and perhaps some other essential > Windows system files: this is so as to prevent your knocking > down the ladder while standing atop it) so you must use a > non-Windows tool to copy these files, e.g. the free utility at > www.xxcopy.com PS - Never mind; apparently you're referring to /clone, but that doesn't create a bootable disc for anything but 98, which was my recollection I mistook for files in use. I do think it works on in use files, though I'm not certain. It can't touch the MBR and a couple other details I've forgotten so it's not really a good choice for backup if you're going to a different disk or machine or unless you know how to set things up manually that clone doesn't do, as in set the MBR (Master Boot Record). I think I'd recommend ntbackup, native to XP Home & Pro over xxcopy for an OS backup. OTOH though, you simply can not beat xxcopy for power & speed! It is fantastic! I use it for my instant-very-important backups and for revision control via batches. I don't even think about xcopy anymore. Cheers, Twayne Twayne