Copy File Without Properties

LGLDSR73-6492 1,150

Greetings,

Today I have been seeing this more often than not when copying any file from C:\Directory to any external medium. E.g., Hard Disk Drive, USB. And yet I was able to copy an entire directory from C:\Directory to the External Hard Drive. And also, some single files as well. Why some and not others?

Any idea what is going on?

Thanks,

LGLDSR73

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Answer accepted by question author

Restee Miranda 14,040 Independent Advisor

Hi LGLDSR73,

Thanks for sharing your concern. That message, Copy File Without Properties, shows up when you move files from an NTFS drive (like your C: drive) to an external drive using FAT32 or exFAT. These formats don't support NTFS features like file permissions or encryption. So, Windows warns you that these features won't be kept.

Some files copy fine because they only have basic data, but others trigger the message if they have NTFS-only stuff.

If you just want the file content, you can ignore the message. Only the extra info is lost. To keep everything, format the external drive to NTFS. Remember, this will erase the drive, so back it up first.

For compatibility with other systems, exFAT works fine, but it still won't keep NTFS properties. Also, if your files are from OneDrive, fully download them before copying. Placeholders can cause the message too.

Basically, it's not a file error. Windows is just saying the external drive can't store NTFS features. Your data is safe, but use NTFS formatting if you need everything.

Best regards,

LGLDSR73-6492 1,150 Reputation points

2025-10-23T22:00:50.78+00:00

Bingo! You nailed it! I'll format it NTFS.

One question. You wrote "Also, if your files are from OneDrive, fully download them before copying.". In this instance they were all local. But I don't understand what you are saying about download them before copying. Can you please elaborate?

Best,

Lyman
Restee Miranda 14,040 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2025-10-25T13:05:26.7833333+00:00

Hi,

I apologize for the confusion, I assumed that one drive files might be included when you're copying from drive C or c:/directory to any of your external storages.

If you are really copying the whole C drive contents to your external storage. Not all of it will push through since many system files are locked, and the operating system will not boot from a copy-pasted drive. The correct method is to clone the drive using specialized software, which creates a bootable, identical copy of your entire system. Alternatively, you can perform a clean install of the operating system on a new drive and then manually transfer your personal files.
LGLDSR73-6492 1,150 Reputation points

2025-10-25T14:13:16.1466667+00:00

Thank you, Rez, and no apologies necessary! No, I'm not copying the entire contents of C:. Mostly Documents, Photographs, Desktop and other personal Directories are in OneDrive.

I need your help on something else. I need to do a clean install of Windows-11 Home on this system but leaving files and programs in place. When I bought this HP Laptop the O/S was preinstalled and I do not have a License or Key.

I do not have a DVD Burner but more than enough USB Flash Drives.

Can you guide me through the procedure for doing this?

Thank you,

Lyman

Answer accepted by question author

Restee Miranda 14,040 Independent Advisor

Yes, definitely. It's best to use USB drive.

Best,Rez

LGLDSR73-6492 1,150 Reputation points

2025-10-25T15:03:49.9266667+00:00

Thanks. Going to start it now....you've been a big help! If there are problems, will you be notified that I've posted here?

Lyman

Answer accepted by question author

Restee Miranda 14,040 Independent Advisor

Hi Lyman,

Sure, happy to help you switch to W11. Are you on W10 or 11? If you are already in 11, you can do the reset option in settings. if not, please follow the steps below.

Download Windows 11 ISO

Download the W11 iso here - https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows11
Under Download Windows 11 Disk Image (ISO) for x64 devices > Select Windows 11 (multi-edition ISO for x64 devices) > Select the product language - English (US) > click Confirm > click 64-bit download. Wait until it finishes.

Download and install WinRAR - You will need this one to extract the W11 iso.

Once the download completes. Install winrar. Right click the W11 iso > extract to w11 folder <or any name you like>.

Run setup.exe you should good to go.

Here is a YouTube video guide.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yIdxvD2ai2M&t=102s

Regards,

Rez

LGLDSR73-6492 1,150 Reputation points

2025-10-25T14:45:39.1166667+00:00

Thank you very much! I am on Windows 11 Home.

Where do I find WinRAR?

What about the License issue? This came with the O/S installed.

No bootable media is required?

Thanks!

Lyman
Restee Miranda 14,040 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2025-10-25T14:51:34.0733333+00:00

Alright, so you can proceed with the "reset this PC" option. Go to settings > system > recovery > recovery options > reset this pc > there will be 2 options - keep my files or erase everything > choose keep my files.

But still I really advise you to still have a back up copy of your files, just in case what ever happens.

If your curren windows 11 home is activated and shows as digital license in activation page. That should automatically reactivate.

For the winrar, please search win-rar.com, you can still use winrar even if its not activated. You can skip the dialog that asks for purchasing a key.

Lastly bootable media is not required since you are resetting your PC via "reset this pc."

Thank you.
LGLDSR73-6492 1,150 Reputation points

2025-10-25T14:56:02.1166667+00:00

Thanks. I watched the video and he is mounting the .ISO to a DVD and I do not have a burner. Can I use a USB?

Best,

Lyman

1 additional answer

Restee Miranda 14,040 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2025-10-25T15:09:13.8266667+00:00

The thread is only good up to 48 hours after our last interaction. You may create a new thread if you need help if beyond the said time frame.

Feel free to upvote and accept my answer if it helped you, so other users can find solutions.

All the best,

Rez
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1 person found this answer helpful.
LGLDSR73-6492 1,150 Reputation points

2025-10-25T15:27:19.39+00:00

Absolutely, you've been great. Thanks again.

Best,

Lyman
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Copy File Without Properties

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