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How to move files to USB and not copy.

Anonymous
2023-10-09T00:38:19+00:00

I have a lot of files I want to move to a USB drive to free up space, but it just copies the files instead of moves them. Doing this causes all the files to lose their original creation dates and I don't want that to happen. Does anyone know how to just move them?

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Files, folders, and storage

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Les Ferch 10,331 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
2023-10-11T00:13:55+00:00

Do you know how I can use RoboCopy?

You can get all the command line options and syntax at the command line by typing robocopy /?. The documentation is also online here:

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

But if you're not comfortable at a command line then I recommend using the other program I linked, FastCopy, because it has a point and click interface (it can also be used via the command line) and it preserves Date created by default. Just pick your source and destination and click Execute.

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  1. EmilyS726 232.3K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2023-10-09T01:12:57+00:00

    Hello, this is Emily.

    In this case, don't use the copy option, use the cut option. Right click on your file selection, choose the scissor icon, or use Ctrl + X instead.

    Keep in mind though, if you disk is already running low on space, don't try to select too much at a time. You need "wiggle" room to complete the cut or copy action itself. So if your selection is 30GB, it can require another 30GB free space to complete the action.

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  2. Anonymous
    2023-10-10T22:58:51+00:00

    Do you know how I can use RoboCopy?

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  3. Les Ferch 10,331 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2023-10-09T02:27:19+00:00

    When you move files from one folder to another on the same volume, it's very quick (because just directory entries are updated) and the files properties do not change.

    When you move files from one volume to another it's really a copy followed by a delete. A new file is created on a new volume, therefore, its gets a new creation date. That is the purpose of Date created. It's a forensic property, not an indication of when the file's contents were created.

    If you are dealing with Microsoft Office files, they have a separate property called "Content created" which shows the date that the file's content was first created. That date will remain constant when the files are copied to other volumes. Similarly, JPG files have a "Date taken" property.

    However, if the files you're working with don't have a property like that, then you can copy the files to another volume and retain the original Date created by using a copy utility that provides that function. Two examples are RoboCopy (command line tool included with Windows) and FastCopy.

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