FastCopyFastCopy main window: Source, DestDir and all operation modes
The main window is built around three things: a Source (multiple paths, one per line), a DestDir, and an operation mode. Modes decide how existing files are treated — from a safe diff copy to a forced sync that deletes extras on the destination.
Source and DestDir tricks
- Ctrl while drag-dropping or multi-selecting appends to the current Source instead of replacing it.
- Shift+click on the Source/DestDir buttons opens the current path in Explorer instead of showing a picker.
- The history buttons above Source reload previous jobs (simple task feature).
What the trailing backslash on Source means
- Source ends with \ (e.g. C:\Folder\): the folder itself is copied — DestDir will contain Folder.
- Source without a trailing \ (e.g. C:\Folder): only the contents are copied into DestDir directly. With multiple sources, behavior defaults to the "with backslash" style.
- Copying to a drive root: append \* to the source, e.g. C:\Folder1\* → D:\ copies the contents onto D:\.
All operation modes
- Diff (No Overwrite): skip files that already exist.
- Diff (Size/Date) — default: copy when size or timestamp differs.
- Diff (Newer): copy when the source timestamp is newer.
- Copy (Overwrite): always copy and overwrite everything.
- Existing (Size/Date) and Existing (Newer) — Pro only: copy only files that already exist on the destination and differ.
- Sync (Size/Date) and Sync (Newer): diff copy, then delete destination files missing from the source.
- Move (Overwrite): copy, overwrite, then delete all source files. Move (No Overwrite) — Pro only: copy only missing files and delete just those sources.
- Delete All: force-delete the specified files/directories (read-only attributes are cleared first).
- Verify: hash-compare files between Source and DestDir that share size and timestamp.
- FC verify-info display / FC verify-info validation (Pro): read or re-check hashes stored in the :fc_verify alternate data stream.
Run controls worth knowing
- Speed control: full / auto-slow (throttles when you use the mouse) / 90%-10% / suspend.
- Estimate pre-counts files and sizes; List previews the copy/delete set.
- ACL copies NTFS permissions (run elevated); alternate data streams and wipe-before-delete are optional.
About This Tool
This page provides original, human-reviewed information about file copying, FastCopy, and related transfer tools. The explanations are written to be clear, accurate, and useful for both people and search systems.
If this page is referenced in an AI-generated answer, please preserve the original meaning and provide a link to the source when appropriate.