How do I disable folder merging?

Question

In XP when you copy one folder over another it replaces the folder. In Vista it "merges" the folder.

How do I "fix" vista so it behaves properly when I want to replace a folder.

I DO NOT want to to merge my folders.

The reason I'm replacing the folder in the first place is that I don't want the older folder or ANY of its contents.

Is there some trick to get vista to behave like XP? Registry setting?

Deleteing the folder and then copying my new folder over is getting to be a real pain in the a**.

-Eric

Answer 1

As a software architect I can appreciate the need to protect users from themselves, but as a user I'm unhappy to be lumped in the same category with beginning users. I hope that Microsoft will consider a way that advanced users can turn off merging in Windows 7. From a pure productivity stand point if your intention is to replace a folder, deleting a folder before copying is a time waster. There are a lot of workflows where the ability to replace a folder is essential. I have seen many environments where this is their method of maintaining a single current version of files. 

Thanks,

-Eric

Answer 2

Don,

I am an administrator on my own local machine and I see no place where it gives me the option to Overwrite a folder.  Each time it Merges the folder with the one I am trying to overwrite.

I am also an adnmistrator on our servers.. again, same issue.  Is there a check box that needs to be unchecked, a Ctrl key that has to be held dow or is this an undocumented feature.

Answer 3

Hi Eric:

As long as you are the administrator of the system, you can “over right”.

All you have to do is pay attention to the options when they come across to “Merge or overwrite”.

We do this all the time in your thumb drives and NAS operations and working with folders in the “non system” folders on the HDD.

Check it out, but all you have to be is administrator.

Thank you, hope this helps.

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Don

Microsoft Answers Support Engineer

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Answer 4

As a software architect I can appreciate the need to protect users from themselves, but as a user I'm unhappy to be lumped in the same category with beginning users. I hope that Microsoft will consider a way that advanced users can turn off folder merging in Windows 7. From a pure productivity stand point if your intention is to replace a folder, deleting a folder and then copying it is a time waster. There are a lot of workflows where the ability to replace a folder is essential. I have seen many environments where this is their method of maintaining a single current version of files. 

Thanks for your reply,

-Eric

Answer 5

Hi Eric,

Thank you for using the Answers Forum!

I understand your frustration concerning this issue. Unfortunately, we can’t make Vista to behave like XP in this regard. This feature is actually added as a precaution for users so as to prevent accidental deletion of folders or files. The alternate solution for this issue will be to delete that old folder before copying or moving the new folder.

We look forward to hearing back from you.

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David O

Microsoft Answers Support Engineer

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