Copy from Multiple Locations to a Single Folder in Windows using PowerShell alternative replacement tool

Managing files on Windows often involves copying specific files or folders from multiple directories and consolidating them into one location. Copywhiz offers advanced functionalities to simplify this process compared to PowerShell tool which requires scripting

This blog provides a step-by-step guide to copying files and folders from multiple source directories into a single destination using Copywhiz and PowerShell.

Let’s take a look at step by step process using Copywhiz

What is Copywhiz?

Copywhiz enhances your file-copy experience by letting you to have more flexibility & control over the file copying and backup process.

Here is how Copywhiz makes file copying a breeze:

Copy only new or modified files
Easily pick files by name, extension, folder etc from bunch of folders
Automatically organize files based on file attributes and metadata
Copy files to multiple folders/computers
Copy files from multiple folders and paste them at once
Sync files between source and destination
Pick files from multiple folders and compress in single .zip file
Schedule file backups
Verify copied files for data integrity
Retain security attributes of files & folders (ownership/user access)
Several more hidden nuggets designed to make your file-copy task easier.

Why Copywhiz?

Copywhiz has a unique feature. It lets you copy files from different folders and paste them all at once in Windows. This feature saves a lot of time and effort. Along with files, you can also pick folders from different locations and paste them all in one shot. This means you can copy, copy, copy, and finally paste altogether.

Transcription:

To copy files from multiple folders,

Select files using Windows Explorer, right-click on them and choose Copywhiz->Copy from the menu.
Repeat above step to copy files from different folders.
Go to the destination folder, right-click inside the folder and select Copywhiz–>Paste. All the selected files from different folders will be copied successfully.

Advantages of Copywhiz

User-Friendly: No scripting knowledge required; uses a graphical interface.
Advanced Options: Filter files by name, extension, or size and handle duplicates efficiently.
Preview Feature: Verify selected files before copying.
Retain Folder Hierarchies: Allows you to keep the original directory structure.

Let’s have a look on step by step process using PowerShell.

Method 2: Using PowerShell

PowerShell, a task automation tool, can help automate file and folder copying across multiple locations.

Step-by-Step Guide

Open PowerShell
- Press Win + X and select Windows PowerShell or search for “PowerShell” in the Start Menu.
Prepare the Directories
- Identify the source directories containing the files you want to copy.
- Decide on the destination directory where all the files will be consolidated.
Write the Script

Use the following PowerShell script: # Define source directories $sourceFolders = @( "C:\SourceFolder1", "C:\SourceFolder2", "C:\SourceFolder3" ) # Define the destination folder $destinationFolder = "C:\DestinationFolder" # Create the destination folder if it doesn't exist if (!(Test-Path -Path $destinationFolder)) { New-Item -ItemType Directory -Path $destinationFolder } # Loop through each source folder and copy files foreach ($folder in $sourceFolders) { Get-ChildItem -Path $folder -File | Copy-Item -Destination $destinationFolder -Force } Write-Output "Files copied successfully to $destinationFolder"
Execute the Script
- Save the script with a .ps1 extension (e.g., CopyFiles.ps1) and run it in PowerShell.
- If running scripts is restricted, enable script execution by typing: Set-ExecutionPolicy -Scope Process -ExecutionPolicy Bypass
Verify the Results
- Navigate to the destination folder and confirm all files have been copied.

Conclusion

Tech-savvy users or those needing complex automation can use PowerShell. However, if you value simplicity, time saving, and advanced features without the need to code, Copywhiz is a superior alternative.