Solved Is it safe to use Robocopy /mir on root drive?

[0pTicaL]

I am backing up an entire drive to a external hard drive using Robocopy. Is it safe to use /mir on root drives? I've read somewhere that it's not recommended as it copies the hidden folders $RECYCLE.BIN and System Volume Information and may cause issues on the destination drive. Is there anything truth to this or is it just a myth?

 

[ShoTTaS]

Hi,

I am not familiar with robocopy, but you can try this link to help you with your issue: https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/magazine/ee851678.aspx

 

[DavidE]

If RoboCopy does copy $RECYCLE.BIN and System Volume Information it will cause problems.
I did it once and learned a lesson, i somehow fixed it without having to re-copy the partition again...

Here is a RC command I now use to exclude (/XD) those directories when copying a HD or partition (D -> F):
robocopy D: F: *.* /E /NP /TEE /R:5 /XD $RECYCLE.BIN "System Volume Information" /LOG:"F:\RobocopyLog.txt"

You can read about the options with this command:
robocopy /?

For me, Windows automatically rebuilt these directories correctly, after the copy.

 

[0pTicaL]

If RoboCopy does copy $RECYCLE.BIN and System Volume Information it will cause problems.
I did it once and learned a lesson, i somehow fixed it without having to re-copy the partition again...

Here is a RC command I now use to exclude (/XD) those directories when copying a HD or partition (D -> F):
robocopy D: F: *.* /E /NP /TEE /R:5 /XD $RECYCLE.BIN "System Volume Information" /LOG:"F:\RobocopyLog.txt"

You can read about the options with this command:
robocopy /?

For me, Windows automatically rebuilt these directories correctly, after the copy.

Thanks! I remember reading it somewhere that it does cause problems. Recopying the entire drive again with the /XD command, copying 3TB+ is a pain

 

[DavidE]

Thanks! I remember reading it somewhere that it does cause problems. Recopying the entire drive again with the /XD command, copying 3TB+ is a pain

I understand your pain, i was there

I probably used this tutorial by Brink to fix the Recycle Bin:
Recycle Bin Corrupted - Cannot Delete File or Folder

I'll see if I can find how i fixed the System Volume Information problem ...
If I do, i'll post back with that info ...

 

[DavidE]

After you use the tutorial to fix the recycle bin, run a System File Check and a Check Disk on the external drive.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1538-sfc-scannow-command-system-file-checker.html
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/433-disk-check.html

 

[0pTicaL]

Thanks DavidE! I'll keep that in mind next time. Since I'm about to go to bed the copy process should be done by the time I wake up (8hrs+).

 

[DavidE]

You're welcome.
Yea, that should work ...
I remember doing the same thing, and i was stubborn and wanted to fix it without a re-copy.
I didn't keep good enough notes on how to fix it, but i learned to ALWAYS use the /XD option

 

[0pTicaL]

Yeah, I made a note to use /XD from now on whenever I /MIR the root drive. It's one of those things where I kept thinking, "wait, I think I missed something here, what was it…"