RichCopy explained

RichCopy
Developer:	Microsoft
Operating System:	Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows Server 2003
Latest Release Version:	4.0.217
License:	Proprietary

RichCopy is a file copy utility program developed by Ken Tamaru of Microsoft Corporation, discontinued in 2010.^[1] It is multi-threaded, which permits it under some circumstances to copy files faster than some other copiers available for the Windows operating system. It provides a complete graphical user interface (GUI), whereas Microsoft's multi-threaded Robocopy is a command-line utility,^[2] although there are GUI interfaces for it.

Features

• Can copy several files simultaneously ("multi-threaded"), which under certain network conditions, may reduce the time required for file transfers.
• Can be invoked either as a command-line utility or via a graphical user interface (GUI).
• If used with the GUI, can generate the command line to carry out the action specified for the GUI.^[3]

Criticisms

• Bugs not fixed before support was discontinued remain. RichCopy is best utilized by experienced users who know how to verify that copy operations have completed successfully without errors.^[4]
• RichCopy is not supported by Microsoft. The program has not been updated since approximately June 2009, despite numerous users requesting bug fixes.
• Duplicates Robocopy functionality.

Defects

RichCopy will not copy files that are opened with certain combinations of file sharing attributes. Any process may open files for exclusive read access using the FILE_SHARE_READ attribute.^[5] Another company created the non-free program GS RichCopy 360, which can copy open files and has been developed further.^[6]

See also

• Robocopy
• copy (command)
• XCOPY
• Teracopy
• rsync
• SyncToy
• Ultracopier
• List of file copying software

External links

• Official sources
  • Microsoft TechNet Magazine -- Free Utility: RichCopy, an Advanced Alternative To Robocopy
  • TechNet Blog of RichCopy developer Ken Tamaru
  • TechNet - Command-line Reference - ROBOCOPY
• Other
  • TechNet Blog of Keith Combs describes advantages of using RichCopy and WinRAR to transfer multiple large files simultaneously.
  • RichCopy How-To Guide
  • Five Best Alternative File Copiers

Notes and References

1. Web site: A Comprehensive List of All 11 Discontinued Microsoft Utilities - Version Museum . Version Museum . 17 December 2019 .
2. Hoffman . Joshua . April 2009 . Free Utility: RichCopy, an Advanced Alternative to RoboCopy . . Microsoft.
3. Web site: Tamaru . Ken . 20 May 2009 . Command option update . Ken (Kenzaburo) Tamaru's Blog . Microsoft . Archived MSDN and TechNet Blogs.
4. Web site: Ilascu . Ionut . March 25, 2009 . Microsoft's Multithread Copy Solution . 2010-12-04 . softpedia.com . SoftNews NET SRL.
5. Web site: CreateFileA function (Fileapi.h) - Win32 apps .
6. Web site: Gurusquad - GS RichCopy 360 – file copy tool | copy files over network.