Windows 7 - Copy files and "property loss" message

I backup files monthly from my desktop computer to an external hard drive. In Windows XP, I copied files without difficulty. In Windows 7, however, when I begin to copy files, copying appears to stand still, and it appears that copying is estimated to take 11 hours or more. Then, after several minutes, the “property loss” window appears (see .png attachment), I check “do this for all...” and click “yes.” Copying then goes as I expect it to--quickly, without interruption and in only a minute or so.

How do I copy files in Windows 7 without these annoying, time-consuming steps?


Thanks.

Try copying with Robocopy.

PowerCram: Robocopy Syntax, Command Line Switches and RoboCopy Examples

Theres also a Robocopy GUI.

Microsoft Robocopy GUI For Windows Robocopy

You can also try Teracopy.

Copy your files faster with TeraCopy

Thanks, Bill2. Is there a way to do this with Windows settings--without using another program?

This seems to be a bit of a bug, have not come across any definitive solution.

Even though you don't want to use another program, you might want to also consider Microsoft SyncToy 2.1 as an alternative to just copying files, or trying to turn of the message of also copying metadata that you are getting.


It works on the principle that you create a series of "Left" (source) and "Right" (destination) folder pairs, for which each can use one of the following options:

• Synchronize - File are copied Left To Right. If a file was deleted or renamed on the left, then the action is repeated on the right, and vice versa. Not a good choice for backups, because files are deleted or renamed on boths sides of the folder pair.
• Echo - Works the same as Syncronize, but files will not be deleted or renamed from right to left.
• Contribute - Copies or renames files from left to right. If a file is deleted from the left, then it remains in the right. This is the best choice for backups.

See the following screenshot:

It has the advantage of once the initial run of a folder pair (or all specified folder pairs) have been run, the following run works very quickly, because any subsequent runs will only copy new files or files that have been modified.

SyncToy has most defintely made my job of backing up files far easier.

Thanks for the Synctoy idea, Dzomlija, but I already use that frequently. However, in this case--backing up email--the same thing happens. I figured copying would be faster, and it is, except for this apparent bug. I also use KLS Mail Backup.

And speaking of bugs, thanks, Bill2, for the word on that. How does one report this to MS, or do they already know about it?

Try this: make sure the external drive is NTFS format.

I'm having the same issue but only when I'm remotely transferring files from a Win2003 server to a Red Hat file server(NTFS emulation) from my Windows 7 workstation. I posted about it in the Microsoft forum asking for a toggle to turn of the annoying message pop up and one of the moderators said "this problem is related to Windows server 2003" and promptly marked my thread as being answered. LOL

The WD Passport to which I'm copying files is FAT32. Are you saying that if the Passport were NTFS, the problem might go away?

Apparently from what I've read regarding this issue, yes.

It worked! Problem solved. I converted the WD Passport from FAT32 to NFTS, and the message no longer appears when I copy files. Thanks, pokermon!