Solving file/folder copy problems in Windows

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	LANGALIST PLUS Solving file/folder copy problems in Windows
	By Fred Langa A reader’s PCs share an annoying symptom: Windows seems unable to reliably copy really big files or groups of files between hard drives. Plus: whether to reboot after a software adjustment; another reader-recommended search tool; and a free, open-source, sticky-note utility.

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The full text of this column is posted at windowssecrets.com/langalist-plus/solving-filefolder-copy-problems-in-windows/ (paid content, opens in a new window/tab).

Columnists typically cannot reply to comments here, but do incorporate the best tips into future columns.[/td]

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A different kind of file/folder copy problem: creating zip files using Win7’s native tools.
I have an administrator account, UAC is on but set to not dim the screen.
If I right-click on the desktop I can create a zip file. I can open the empty file at this point.
If I then drag several files from the desktop into this new zip file, either by dragging to the Explorer window, or dragging to the zip file icon, I am greeted with the error, “Unable to complete the operation. Access is denied.”
Once I have attempted to add files to the zip file, if I try to open the zip file, I am greeted with the error, “Windows cannot open the folder. Access to the Compressed (zipped) Folder is denied.”
If I try to delete the folder at this point, I get, “You need to provide administrator permission to delete this folder [Continue/Skip/Cancel]”. ‘Continue’ just results in [Try Again/Cancel].
Now I do know about file ownership. In fact I even set up a right-click option to just run the necessary commands. If I do this, I can either open the container, or delete it. If I open the container, I will find only the first file of the several I attempted to copy. If I try to copy the remaining rejected files, I will repeat the entire cycle – locked out, grab ownership, find only the next single file in the folder.

Without problem, I can OPEN any zip file that I did not create using the native Win7 tool. That includes zip files created outside my PC, or zip files I created using a different utility (7-Zip in my case) on my PC. It is a minor issue in that I have work-arounds, but I am the type that is driven nuts when something isn’t working properly.

I suspect a bad Registry entry either in my account or THE Administrator account (only accounts on this PC, other than Public, Default User). However, both CCleaner and my eyeballs have failed to recognize any applicable entry. System File Checker didn’t spot an issue either. Do you have any further ideas?

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most zip programs will create a new file for the update operation, and then delete the old. If you are short on disk space then the update will fail. Some zip programs create the temporary file in the user’s temp directory, others may create it in the same directory as the original.

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Does Win 7 have a native utility for drag and drop into a zip file? I use WinZip and that opens a little utility window for drag and drop and I’m unaware if W7 can accomplish that natively. What happens if you select the files for zipping first and create the zip file with all the files selected? If that doesn’t work then there is something wrong but if it does, then as far as I know Win 7 is just not capable of adding files to a zip file by drag and drop on it’s own.
Not sure if the permissions issue is related or not. I don’t have a W7 system without WinZip to test my theory on.

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Noticeably missing: Rich Copy, another unsupported Microsoft toy. Multiple file copy copies several directories and files at once, keeping the disk queue rather busy. Note that it is so busy on my system that it is difficult to do anything else when Rich Copy is running. Apparently allocates space before copying, because the copied files are normally not fragmented – unless your free space is badly fragmented.

[INDENT]”RichCopy can copy multiple files at a time with up to 8 times faster speed than the normal file copy and moving process. Surprisingly it copies and moves files even faster than RoboCopy tool and XCOPY command. Since the tool was being used by the developers, they made it pretty effective and stable.” [Quoted from site below][/INDENT]

See http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/windows/en-US/33971726-eeb7-4452-bebf-02ed6518743e/microsoft-richcopy or search for microsoft richcopy.

Rich Copy can copy whole directory trees, even from the root directory (e.g. “c:”) (it also copies system volume and recycle bin files and directories unless filtered out). The number of directories to open, and the number of files to copy can be altered. Note that higher settings may make your computer unusable for anything else while copying.

You can also try booting a Linux disk and using the DD command. I suspect that Rich Copy (and probably Robo Copy) can copy faster than DD. I mostly used DD (either from cygwin or a Linux boot) when I want an ISO image of a disk or directory (mountable using an ISO tool, such as freeware MagicDisk from MagicISO) or to burn (ImgBurn). If booted from a Linux boot disk to use DD or other Linux tools, Windows file locking and protection will not get in your way. It also will not protect you from doing something stupid.

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Windows 8 does indeed do a better job of handling large or complex file copy chores than previous Windows versions. I use Win 8 Pro almost exclusively now for copying Image Back archives (20GB to 40GB each, and derstined for two or three separate external drive locations). I don’t know whether Robocopy is automatically invoked, but something has improved. I also like the display of concurrent or queued transfers in Win 8.

Also useful is the free utility TeraCopy (and there is a paid version with even more features), which I use for Win 7 and Win XP. It leverages XCopy and adds its own features, making large and complex transfer operations much easier. TeraCopy also queues well, and can verify critical files after they are transferred.

And yes, antivirus products which scan new and changed files can wreck havoc on any file transfer. The larger and more complex, the worse the disruptions can get. Amazingly, this is one area which my Avast installations do not impact in Win 7 and Win 8. (I use MSE-4 on Win XP, due to system resources limitations on that older laptop.)

When active, Acronis True Image Home has also interfered with file transfer operations on my older Win XP laptop. Not a problem with the modern hardware in my Win 7/Win 8 dual-boot Toshiba Satellite laptop.

-- rc primak

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