Copying a "duplicate" file to a folder

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I suspect that the answer to this one is a foregone conclusion, but I’ll ask anyway.

Before Windows 10 (i.e., Win 7 and earlier), when I transferred a file from one folder to another, and the second folder already had a copy (whether newer, older or identical remaining to be seen), a pop-up stated not only that the same file was already there, it also stated which version was newer, if either. In Windows 10, in order to find out which file is newer I have to take the extra step of clicking on “Compare info for both files.”

Is this just the way Windows 10 now works, and there’s nothing to be done about it? Or is there a way to change this behavior and go back to something comparable to the old way?

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BobStr wrote:

I suspect that the answer to this one is a foregone conclusion, but I’ll ask anyway.

Before Windows 10 (i.e., Win 7 and earlier), when I transferred a file from one folder to another, and the second folder already had a copy (whether newer, older or identical remaining to be seen), a pop-up stated not only that the same file was already there, it also stated which version was newer, if either. In Windows 10, in order to find out which file is newer I have to take the extra step of clicking on “Compare info for both files.”

Is this just the way Windows 10 now works, and there’s nothing to be done about it? Or is there a way to change this behavior and go back to something comparable to the old way?

Hi,

Doesn’t help, but I believe this is indeed the “new” way in Windows 10.

It was something I noticed too and agree it’s a real PITA.

I’ve not come across a way to change the default behaviour in Windows 10 itself, although it might be worth looking at Microsoft’s own “Robocopy” (or another third-party non-explorer copying / replication application) option as there might be a switch or ten you can use to only “copy if newer” and so on etc. if we are talking a regular transfer of files from A to B.

Regards

James

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BobStr, b

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I’ll take a look at Robocopy.

Pre-Win 10, what I did if I was moving or copying only one or two files was to simply move or copy them, and let Windows tell me what was newer. But if I was dealing with numerous files, I’d use Comparator, which is still my choice in such cases, since in basically one fell swoop, it lets you make the decision in either direction — copy from the “source” to the “destination” or vice versa.

The inconvenience with Win 10’s way of doing things is it add that extra step — having to click on details before decided whether to go ahead. Over the years it’s struck me that, for unfathomable reasons, MS is constantly adding extra steps in order to get anything done. Witness MS Word, where it used to be the case that you launched the program and could immediately start typing in a new document. Now you have to click on “Blank Document” first. What possesses these guys to think that making things more tedious is appreciated by anybody?

But back to what we were talking about before my rant sidetracked things: thanks very much for the suggestion. I appreciate the help.

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In Control Panel\File Explorer Options
On the View tab
Is “Hide folder merge conflicts” checked?
If so, try unchecking it and see if you get the warnings back.

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BobStr

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I think that only affects folders, not files:

Setting to show or hide folder merge conflicts will not affect file merge conflicts like below.
Show or Hide Folder Merge Conflicts in Windows 10 [TenForums Tutorial]

I don’t think there’s any method with Windows 10’s File Explorer to avoid the extra click on “Let me decide for each file” before you can view the files’ dates/details for duplicated file names on copy/move.

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BobStr

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It was checked.

I unchecked just now, and confirmed that it doesn’t work for individual files.

But thanks for the suggestion.

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PKCano

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It was a stab in the dark!

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BobStr wrote:

Witness MS Word, where it used to be the case that you launched the program and could immediately start typing in a new document. Now you have to click on “Blank Document” first.

File/ options/ general tab. Page down to start up options and make sure ‘Show start screen…’ is unticked

Eliminate spare time: start programming PowerShell

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BobStr, b

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I had actually stumbled across that setting, though quite inadvertently. But thanks for mentioning it, especially since the odds of my knowing it were pretty small.

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BobStr wrote:

I had actually stumbled across that setting, though quite inadvertently. But thanks for mentioning it, especially since the odds of my knowing it were pretty small.

No problem, glad to help.

I won’t post them here but all the current Robocopy switches can be found online as you have a lot more you might also find useful. Good starting point is;

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/administration/windows-commands/robocopy

I tend to make the joke these needless extra steps are what I’m told is called “progress” but I don’t really think it’s funny when I’m standing at a self scan grocery till hearing “unexpected item in the bagging area” for the hundredth time. Meh!

regards

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