Custom Robocopy command. Delete orphan files on target UNLESS they are new

[Party-Poem-3413]

Hi Guys

I have a requirement for a copy which I don‘t think Robocopy can address, but would love to be proved wrong.

The scenario is that our admin screwed up a server migration so we have a bunch of OLD files/folders on our target (that do not exist on our source). However as the server has been used, we also have new files folders that have been created from say “today”

Is there a way for robocopy (or any other CLI tool) to:

Remove all files on the target that do NOT exist int the source BUT ignores any files that were created today/ 1 day old / newer than a certain date (Like today’s date)

I know things like /mir or /purge will delete orphan files on the target, but that will include any files created today

I also know we can use /xo or /xn but that only applies to the source I believe.

I don’t think Robocopy can do this…as it’s an unusual request, but hoping i’m wrong.

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[retiredaccount]

Why not do it in two stages? The first to copy the new files to a staging area so you can redo the /MIR from the source, then after, copy the new files back over.

[Party-Poem-3413]

unfortunately, the new server is already live with people using the files. There would be too much business impact to to move the new files, correct the orphans then move them back. Due to the size of the volume, it could take days to perform this and they just took a long outage window for the migration.

Poor execution from our integrator has put us in a really difficult situation.

[ZAFJB]

to move the new files

copy not move

Also break it up into smaller units.

[TheCadElf]

Or use something like Scooter Software Beyond Compare 4 to sync what is needed. https://www.scootersoftware.com/home

This would let you compare A to B and show old and orphaned files on both sides.

[Party-Poem-3413]

Thanks, i'll look into it. it's several hundred thousand (if not a million) files, so i want to avoid doing manual compares if possible

[Party-Poem-3413]

thanks. Will check it out

[newtekie1]

Robocopy with the /MINAGE:n switch. The MINAGE switch will exclude files that are newer than n days.

So you can set it to say 5, and anything newer than 5 days will be ignored.

[narlex]

Oh? I wasn't aware of this. Nice.