duplicate files when copying folder with GUI

Question

When I try copy user folders quite often I get the message that folder/file already exists, I copy c:\program data or c:\users user folders from one hard drive to a brand new computer with brand new hard disk, so that folder/file absolutely sure doesn't exist on the new one, so, what is the explanation behind explorer telling me that file already exists?

I'm not looking for a way to solve this problem, I just boot linux and copy it with midnight commander, I just want to understand how can windows explorer detect a duplicate on this type of situation

Answer 1

they are not system folders, one example of name of a folder which says it exists already is "Metodes de pagament a la UE", and an example file "Excepcions a tenir en compte"

these of course don't exist twice on the source folder I'm trying to copy

Answer 2

This are system folders & therefore will contain some files necessary for Windows, hence why you’re receiving that error message.

You can open the folder & try & copy the contents rather than the entire folder.

Answer 3

Hi,

My answer for this as you have mentioned 'c:\program data or c:\users user folders,

also at "some point" some file/folder already exists and to overwrite it' windows explorer will detect a duplicate because of the folder paths. They are system folders and it may consider that system files may be present as precaution.

Do let me know if you require any further help on this. Will be glad to help you.

Answer 4

I'm NOT looking for a solution, I already have one, I'm looking for an answer, and btw I'm not trying to change any location, I'm copying folders that contain files and subfolders

why when I copy a folder into an empty folder using windows explorer it tells me at some point that some file/folder already exists and if I want to overwrite it?

Answer 5

Hi,

I am Ganesh Gandhi, an Independent Advisor. I am here to work with you on this problem.

Microsoft does not recommend that you change the location of the user profile directories or program data folders.

Using ProfilesDirectory to point to a directory that is not the system volume will block SKU upgrades and upgrades to future versions of Windows. ... The servicing stack does not handle cross-volume transactions, and it blocks upgrades.

If you want to have same set of files in another hard disk,

Please Try using Disk copy software like "ntfsclone".

http://edoceo.com/exemplar/ntfsclone-transfer-w...

Kindly follow these steps.

Do let me know if you require any further help on this. Will be glad to help you.