Automatically Move Files From One Folder To Another On Windows 10

Moving files between folders is a regular task performed on your computer. Sometimes, it is done to declutter a drive or archive important files, however, it could also be done for general cleaning purposes. Although, sorting files could take up a lot of time and also it is monotonous. To avoid getting sulked into the boredom of moving files and folders you can automate file transfer task. Yes, you heard it right! You can automatically move files from one folder to another by using a script that uses Robocopy, a command-line utility which comes with Windows 10.

To automated file transfer, you need to use Robocopy script, add frequency in days, source and destination folder paths. You can set up a task in Task Scheduler to execute the script every day at a certain time.

Steps to Create a Script to Automatically Move Files From One Folder To Another On Windows 10

If you want to perform automated file transfer, first you need to create a script.

Step 1: Go to the search bar on the taskbar and type, Notepad and press Enter to launch it

Step:2 You will get a blank file, copy and paste the below-written script in Notepad.

Before finalizing, you need to make some changes such as a set number of days, source and destination folder

echo off
set X=<days>
set "source=C:\<Source Folder Path>"
set "destination=D:\<Destination Folder Path>"
robocopy "%source%" "%destination%" /mov /minage:%X%
exit /b

 

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Step 3: Go to File->Save to save the file.
Step 4: While saving the file, you need to change the default file type from .txt file to All files.
Step 5: Type <filename>.BAT beside Filename to save the file with . BAT file.
Step 6: Now click Save to save the file.

Steps To Create A Task To Run The File

Once you have set specific and chosen the source and destination folder to move the files, let’s schedule the task to automatically move files from one folder to another on Windows 10

  •  In the search box on the taskbar, type Task Scheduler and press Enter to open Task Scheduler.
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  • On Task Scheduler window, from the right side of the window, locate and click Create Task.
  • Type a suitable name for the task.
    automatically-move-files-from-one-folder-to-another-3
  • On create Task window, click Triggers tab.

  • Click New to create a Trigger.
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  • Now, from the settings, choose the frequency to trigger. For example, you can choose Daily, One time, Monthly and Weekly.
  • Also, choose a time when you want the task to be triggered and click OK to save the settings.

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  • Again from the Create Task window, Click Actions tab. This will connect an action to the trigger.
  •  Locate and Click New on Actions Tab.

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  • From the following window, click browse and navigate to .BAT file that you created and click OK to complete. Now close the Task Scheduler.

So, that’s it! Now you don’t have to worry about moving files and folders from one folder to another, as now it will be an automated file transfer.

 

 

Software To Organize Files And Folders

This process can not only be done using Task Scheduler and Roboscript, but there are also software to perform automated file transfer to save your time and efforts.

One of the great software to organize files and folders is EaseUS Todo Backup tool which is a backup tool, which has File Backup feature which allows you to copy or move files from one folder to another by setting a schedule.

To use the function, the tool will create an image of your file to another folder weekly, daily or any set time you have scheduled. Preview the image anytime you want but before editing, you should make a copy.

Steps to Move Files from One Folder to Another With Software

  • Download and Install EaseUS backup software

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  • Launch the tool and select “File Backup” to copy or move files from one folder to another.
  • Choose the files and folders to copy or move. Click Destination to choose a preferred location where you want to copy. You can also choose Plan name and Description to further specify information related to file.
  • Click Schedule to get Backup Scheme window. Now you can schedule backup plan to move files daily, weekly, monthly.

  • Click Proceed to move files from one folder to another.

 

So, these are ways to get an automated file transfer done with or without software. What do you think? Would you be using this method to automatically move files and folders make your life easy? Please share your thoughts in the comments section below.

10 COMMENTS

  • comment_avtar
    pRASHANT
    THIS IS NOT WORKING . I TRIED WITH MY SYS .

    5 years ago
  • comment_avtar
    Gretil
    Me too it is not working, , but Gs richcopy 360 works fine with me in this case, , files transfers automatically from the source to the destination without any problem .

    4 years ago
  • comment_avtar
    Calina Kemp
    I wonder if anyone can help me with this. I have to routinely, create merge documents, which I then convert to PDFs and bookmark, these are then split into a specific naming set, they then have to be filed individually to each staff members HR file. At the moment I have to manually click each one and drag it to the correct folder is there ANYTHING that I can do to automatically file these…yours hopefully. So a document would be named 12345 KEMP Calina T&C.LTR 01072021 and would need to be filed to my HR file which is named: 12345 KEMP Calina Any help would be greatly appreciated.

    3 years ago
    • comment_avtar
      Krishan Vijay
      Hello, We would suggest you to take help from the Task Scheduler and the third party software such as EaseUS Todo Back up which can automatically move your files and folders to another location. Thank you.

      3 years ago
  • comment_avtar
    Julian Wasserzug
    Why would I need to define days in the script if I am triggering when to run in Task Scheduler? Just wondering, Thanks! Julian

    3 years ago
    • comment_avtar
      Mridula Nimawat
      You are welcome. We are glad that we could help you with the issue

      3 years ago
  • comment_avtar
    joonmalacus
    i’d like to do this but instead of moving the files, i want to copy them could someone please help me as to which specific commands need to be changed in order to preserve my files from the srouce folder!! while still copying them over to another destination automatically???

    3 years ago
    • comment_avtar
      Mridula Nimawat
      Use this command to copy: robycopy “source” “destination” /s(Sub directory) /e(Empty directory) /r:1(Retry times) /W:1(wait time) If you want to copy the changes done to the data: Use this robycopy “source” “destination” /s(Sub directory) /e(Empty directory) /r:1(Retry times) /W:1(wait time) /xo(Changes or new file) /xo parameter – it is a parameter used to copy incremental data

      3 years ago
  • comment_avtar
    Dean Pennington
    Thank you for your examples. Can you tell me how the source file command would change to go recursively through subfolders in a parent folder path?

    3 years ago
    • comment_avtar
      Mridula Nimawat
      Use this command to copy: robycopy “source” “destination” /s(Sub directory) /e(Empty directory) /r:1(Retry times) /W:1(wait time) Thanks

      3 years ago

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