How to Set Up a Scheduled File Copy | 3 Methods Concluded

How do I schedule a copy of a task?

"I would like to know how to create a scheduled task that will copy files from my C: drive to my E: drive at a specified time. For instance, I would like to copy a folder (like "My Documents") from my C: drive to my E: drive every Friday at 5:00 pm. I think I understand the time part of the equation but I'm having trouble figuring out the 'task' part of it. Can anyone give me a step-by-step process to create such a thing? Or is there a better way to accomplish what I want to do?"

If you also want to set up a scheduled file copy on your computer, you can try two different solutions and we will introduce them in the following part.

Why need a scheduled file copy?

As we all know, the 3-2-1 backup strategy advises you to store your files at 2 different locations. Thus, to protect your files, a scheduled task to copy files can be very useful. Once you create a scheduled file copy, you can:

• Access your files at these two locations.

• Sync your files without copying them manually.

• Keep the latest file version of your files.

2 easy methods for scheduled file copy

In general, there are two main solutions to Windows schedule file copy: use Task Scheduler or use backup software to do it. You can try them with the guideline below.

Method 1. Use rebocopy and Task Scheduler

The most common way to set up scheduled file copy in Windows 10/11/8/8.1/7 is using command lines. Here we will introduce the most powerful command line - robocopy. Just follow these steps for scheduled file copy:

1. First, right-click on your desktop to select New > Text Document.

2. In the new text document, type this command:

robocopy [source] [destination]

► Note: If you want to copy files from desktop to D drive, your commend is:

robocopy C:\Users\Administrator\Desktop\copy C:\copy  

If you want to know the result of the file copy and press any key to exit, just use the echo and pause commands, then you will receive a message after finishing the file copy:

@ECHO OFF

ECHO Copy completed!

robocopy C:\Users\Administrator\Desktop\copy C:\copy /s /z

robocopy C:\Users\Administrator\Desktop\copy1 C:\copy1 /s /z

PAUSE

3. Next, select File > Save As... and you can name the file, then modify the extension from .txt to .bat, and Save it. You can use parameters to create robocopy schedule task.

4. Besides, you can use Windows Task Scheduler to create a scheduled task to copy files. Just go to Control Panel > Administrative Tools > Task Scheduler. Click Create Basic Task, then follow the wizard to do it.

5. To set up a scheduled file copy task, you can choose the frequency according to your needs.

6. Then, select Start a program and browse the .bat file you just created.

7. After the above, click Finish. Then you can find it in the Task Scheduler Library and edit or delete it.

Method 2. Use free backup software - AOMEI Backupper Standard

If you feel it complex to use robocopy and Task Scheduler, you can try the free backup software - AOMEI Backupper Standard. It can be used on Windows 11/10/8/7/XP/Vista, and let you copy files with the scheduler for free. Let’s try it with these steps:

1. Download the AOMEI Backupper Standard application. Click the Sync tab, then select Basic Sync.

2. Next, click Add Folder to choose the files you want to copy. Then select the destination target path.

3. Click the Schedule option to set up a scheduled file copy. After configuring, click Start Sync.

How to copy files to a cloud drive easily

If your files need more comprehensive protection, or if you are running out of local storage space, then might you consider backing up files to a cloud drive?

There are some mainstream cloud drives on the market like Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive. To copy files to them, we recommend you a professional cloud backup service - CBackup. With the help of it, you can set up a scheduled backup from PC to cloud for free. And CBackup will not limit your transfer speed. Thus, your backup tasks will be safe and in a high-speed way.

Let’s see how to copy files from a PC to a cloud drive with CBackup:

1. Download and run CBackup on your Windows PC. Sign up for a CBackup account, then log in to the client.

2. Select + Add Cloud in the My Storage part. You can select a cloud drive to save your files on your computer.

3. Next, select the Backup Tasks tab > the New Task button. And select the Local Files option.

4. You can change the Task Name. Then, select Add Source to add files from your computer.

5. Click on Add Destination > Single Cloud to select the cloud drive account you just added and click Next.

6. Click the Start Backup button to copy your files to the cloud easily.

► Note: To set up a scheduled file copy from PC to cloud, you can go to Backup Settings to use the Scheduler feature.

Conclusion

After reading this post, you may learn the best way to set up a scheduled file copy. Rebocopy, Task Scheduler, and AOMEI Backupper Standard can help you do it. In addition, if you want to copy your files to the cloud, you can try using CBackup to help you. CBackup allows you to create scheduled file copy tasks from PC to cloud and get unlimited cloud storage for free.