Windows 7: Xcopy cannot create directory

dougham · 15 Feb 2012

My backup cmd file has been in use since XP, through Vista to Windows 7. It has worked on a new laptop in Windows 7 ever since Windows 7 was released. Recently it has stopped working getting an access denied, cannot create directory message. It is xcopying my own folders, not the default documents etc.
In a cmd prompt, xcopy d:\data z:\ fails with the error, but copy d:\data z:\ doesn't.
Has MS patched xcopy recently? If so, how can I get back the earlier version?

Golden · 15 Feb 2012

Hi dougham,

This sounds like a permissions issue. Please try this option:

Code:

 
xcopy d:\data z:\ /T /O

/T = create directory structure
/O = Copy file ownership and ACL information

Let us know if it works for you.

Regards,
Golden

dougham · 15 Feb 2012

Hi Golden

Using exactly as you suggest gives error "Access denied".

The strange thing I find is COPY works but XCOPY doesn't!

Cheers

Dougham

FliGi7 · 15 Feb 2012

Has your Z drive always been connected to your Windows 7 machine or have you recently connected your external Z drive to another machine?

dougham · 15 Feb 2012

The Z: drive is a network drive, not connected specifically to the Windows 7. My desktop and my wife's laptop all have a drive mapped to the NAS.
Again I come back to why copy works but not xcopy.

FliGi7 · 15 Feb 2012

And nothing has changed in your batch file between the times it worked and now that it doesn't?

I would verify you still have the proper permissions on the drive in the NAS as well.

dougham · 16 Feb 2012

No the batch file hasn't changed.
I am doing all the tests manually now

Golden · 16 Feb 2012

Mmm. OK, I wonder if its as simple as trying this:

Code:

xcopy d:\data\*.* z:\ /T /O /I /Y /E

Note the *.* after d:\data\

Regards,
Golden

dougham · 23 Feb 2012

I've attached the output from another attempt. I copy OK, but can't xcopy.

Golden · 23 Feb 2012

Hi,

Can you confirm that you can run xcopy from your wife's PC to the NAS?

Regards,
Golden

Windows 7: Xcopy cannot create directory

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