Copying Files in Windows XP


Why Would you Need to Copy a File?

There are a variety of causes that you could be need to copy a file or have numerous copies of a file.  You could need to again your recordsdata up on one other disk. You could need to save an outdated model of a file for archiving or in case you mess up new modifications. You could need to copy a file that has the format you need so you need to use the format for one thing else. For instance, this internet web page is a duplicate of different pages on this website. Solely the textual content space has been modified.

How would you Copy a File?

The rationale you copy a file has an have an effect on on the way you make the copy.

1. Backup

Once you create a backup copy of a file, you need to make certain that the backup is the newest model of the file. You’ll then have two copies of the file: the working copy and the backup.

Aspect Impact: The backup state of affairs usually causes an issue in case you by accident begin working within the backup copy as a substitute of your working copy. Then your working copy would not have the newest modifications. It is a dangerous state of affairs when one copy has a bit little bit of this, and the opposite copy has a bit little bit of that. By no means open your again up copy except you’re utilizing it for reference or to switch a file that’s misplaced or corrupted.

There’s a approach to create a backup copy that has much less probability of entering into the backup mixup. This manner is useful as a result of the recordsdata are usually not open; so, you may’t by accident mistake an open backup copy for a working copy.

 

  1. Discover the file you need to copy in Home windows or in Home windows Explorer.
  2. Click on the file.
  3. Within the panel on the left, click on Copy this File.
  4. A window will pop up asking you the place you need to copy it too. Select a brand new place. It may be one other drive, similar to a CD drive or a floppy drive; or, it may be one other folder in your laptop.
  5. Particular Observe about copying an Entry file: you need to use this technique. In any other case, you might solely get copies of your tables. Shut your file earlier than making your copy.

2. Archive outdated recordsdata

 

You could need to make a copy of a file you will change. It is a excellent technique, if there’s any chance that modifications you make will trigger errors or make you would like you had the unique. For instance, when you’ve got an image that you simply took along with your digital digital camera, it would be best to have a duplicate archived earlier than you make modifications in Photoshop.

Aspect Results: 1) The backup state of affairs usually causes an issue in case you by accident begin working within the backup copy as a substitute of your working copy. For instance, in case you take a photograph and make modifications within the backup copy as a substitute of the working copy. Then you definitely Save your work. Then later you open the working copy, however the modifications aren’t there (since you did them within the backup copy.) So, you redo the modifications. Now, you could have two recordsdata with the modifications, however no unique. 2) You overlook to make the copy.

 

  1. Make an Archive folder in My Paperwork.
  2. Contained in the Archive folder, make folders that match your working folders.
  3. Once you first open a file, go to File -> Save As.
  4. Within the dialog field, open the Archive folder and the folder that matches your working folder.
  5. Add a date to the file title. You’ll have to use – as a substitute of / (2-12-06 as a substitute of two/12/06) as a result of Home windows will not allow you to use / in a file title. That may inform you the date of your unique.
  6. Most applications can have the archived model open as a substitute of your working file; so, shut the file. Be certain you understand what your program does.
  7. Go to your working folder and reopen the file.

3. Use the formatting in a file

 

Aspect Results: Once you change the formatting on one web page, all the opposite pages nonetheless have the outdated formatting. To replace all of the pages with the brand new formatting, you’ll have to open all of the recordsdata and make the modifications. Should you use template recordsdata, all of the pages will present the formatting modifications, however that could be a function in some applications; it isn’t part of Home windows.

You could need to use the formatting you could have already arrange in a file for different recordsdata. For instance, this web page is formatted like a lot of the different pages on this web page. To make use of the formatting on this web page on one other web page, I can open this file and reserve it with a brand new title. Then I can sort in new phrases and add new graphics to make the brand new web page.

Issues when Copying a File

Unhealthy Disks: Should you use both floppy disks or CDs, it isn’t unusual to have dangerous disks in your field or to have a disk go dangerous afterward. One floppy or a CD shouldn’t be your solely backup.

Copying the Mistaken Factor: Watch out what you select to ad copy. Know the distinction between the merchandise icon and a shortcut icon. A Shortcut is a bit file with the deal with of the place one thing is saved in your laptop. Should you copy a Shortcut as a substitute of the particular file, you’re going to get a bit file with the deal with of the factor saved in your laptop. Then whenever you take that disk to another laptop, it may possibly’t get to your laptop to search out that merchandise.

Reserved Characters: You possibly can’t simply use any character on the keyboard in a file title. There are some characters that Home windows makes use of internally. These characters have a particular that means. For instance, \ and / imply one thing particular to Home windows; so, you may’t use them in a file title. That is very inconvenient if you wish to add a date to a file title. Nonetheless, you need to use a hyphen as a substitute.


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