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Robocopy may skip a file because it considers the destination copy current, a filter excludes the file, or the command does not traverse the relevant folder. A skipped item is not automatically an error: check the command, the detailed log, and the return code to distinguish normal behavior from an unintended omission or a failed copy.
Why does Robocopy skip files?
Robocopy compares the source and destination and does not necessarily copy every source file on every run. Microsoft documents return code 0 as a run in which no files were copied and no failure or mismatch was reported; files already existed at the destination and were skipped. Other skips may result from command-line filters, directory traversal settings, or comparison switches.
Start by finding the specific path in the log and checking the exact command, including settings loaded from a job file. The word “skipped” alone does not tell you whether the file was already current, excluded, or involved in a failed operation.
The destination file is treated as current
Robocopy’s comparison behavior can treat a destination file as already present and current. Compare the source and destination names, sizes, timestamps, and attributes, then check whether the command uses comparison switches that change which files are considered.
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/XCexcludes existing files with the same timestamp but different sizes./XNexcludes source files newer than the destination./XOexcludes source files older than the destination./XLexcludes “lonely” source files that are not present at the destination./XXexcludes extra destination files.
/IS includes identical files, while /IT includes “tweaked” files under Microsoft’s documented definitions. Do not add either switch indiscriminately: first establish which comparison behavior the task requires.
A selection filter excludes the file
Review file patterns after the source and destination paths, as well as exclusion and attribute filters. A command such as robocopy source destination *.txt /E considers only files matching the positional pattern; expected files of other types are outside that selection.
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/XFexcludes matching file names or patterns;/XDexcludes directories./XAfilters by file attributes.- Minimum or maximum size options can exclude files based on size.
- Age and access-date options can exclude files based on their dates.
The command does not traverse the relevant folder
/S copies subdirectories but omits empty ones. Use /E when empty subdirectories should also be included. /LEV:n limits the tree to the specified number of levels. Also verify that the source path is the intended root and that an exclusion has not removed a relevant directory.
The log shows an access or copy error
An access-denied message or another copy error is not a harmless “already current” skip. Check permissions and the account running Robocopy. Microsoft documents /B and /ZB as backup-mode options that can override file and folder permission settings, subject to the execution account and environment.
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Azure Files migration has additional service-specific account and share-mount considerations. Microsoft’s Azure guidance applies to that migration scenario; do not treat its setup requirements as universal rules for local or other network copies.
Timestamp differences affect comparison
/FFT assumes FAT file times with two-second precision. Microsoft also documents /DST for one-hour daylight-saving-time differences. These are compatibility options for relevant timestamp behavior, not general-purpose fixes for skipped files.
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How to diagnose a skipped file safely
- Record the complete command. Note the source and destination paths, all switches and file patterns, and whether a
/JOBfile supplies additional settings. - Run a reviewable diagnostic pass. Use
/Vto show skipped files and/LOG:<path>to record output in a fresh log. Consider/TSfor timestamps and/FPfor full paths. Microsoft’s Robocopy documentation recommends creating a log to review after the run. - Preview before changing files. Add
/Lto list intended actions without copying, deleting, or timestamping files. Review the output before running a command that changes data. - Find the exact path in the log. Determine whether it was excluded by a pattern or traversal rule, treated as identical or current, or associated with an error.
- Compare the two file entries. Check names, sizes, timestamps, and attributes. If the log reports access problems, investigate permissions for the account running the command.
- Change only the setting that explains the result. For example, use
/Eif the missing items are empty subdirectories, or remove an unintended filter if the file matches it. - Verify the final return code. Interpret it using the table below rather than treating every nonzero result as a failed run.
What do Robocopy return codes mean?
Robocopy return codes combine status conditions. Codes 1–7 can indicate copied files, extra destination items, or mismatches without a reported failure. Code 8 or higher indicates at least one failure.
| Code | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 0 | No files copied; no failure or mismatch. Files already existed at the destination and were skipped. |
| 1 | All files copied successfully. |
| 2 | Extra files or directories are present at the destination; none were copied. |
| 3 | Files were copied, and extra destination items are present; no failure was reported. |
| 5 | Files were copied, and mismatches are present; no failure was reported. |
| 6 | Extra and mismatched items are present; no files were copied and no failure was reported. |
| 7 | Files were copied, with mismatches and extra destination items. |
| 8 or higher | At least one failure occurred. |
Scripts that call Robocopy should account for its documented nonzero status codes; a nonzero code does not by itself mean the entire run failed.
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Which Robocopy switch should you use?
| Need or symptom | Documented option | Important distinction |
|---|---|---|
| Include empty subdirectories | /E |
/S omits empty subdirectories. |
| Show skipped files | /V |
Pair it with a log for review. |
| Record run output | /LOG:<path> |
Choose a new log or append intentionally. |
| List intended actions without making changes | /L |
List-only: no copying, deleting, or timestamping. |
| Skip source files older than destination | /XO |
Can suppress older source updates by design. |
| Skip source files newer than destination | /XN |
Can suppress newer source updates by design. |
| Exclude same-timestamp, different-size existing files | /XC |
Check whether this comparison behavior is intended. |
| Include modified files | /IM |
Microsoft’s modified-file definition depends on change-time support. |
| Include “tweaked” files | /IT |
Relevant to certain attribute or ACL fidelity scenarios. |
| Retry failed copies | /R:n and /W:n |
Set retry count and wait time deliberately; defaults can mean long delays. |
Why /MIR needs extra care
/MIR mirrors the directory tree and includes purge behavior: destination files and directories that do not exist at the source can be deleted. Confirm that both roots point to the intended locations before running it. Microsoft’s Azure Files migration guidance warns that mismatched source and destination folder levels can cause extensive deletions and recopies. The same caution applies whenever a mirror operation could remove destination-only data.
/PURGE also removes destination items that do not exist at the source. Use /L to inspect intended actions first, then verify the source, destination, and preview before using either purge behavior.
Quick Recap
Microsoft references
- Microsoft Learn: Robocopy command reference — syntax, switches, logging, and return codes.
- Microsoft Learn: Migrate to Azure Files using RoboCopy — migration-specific guidance on mirroring, permissions, and copy fidelity.
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