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Solve : Moving many files in many folders to a single folder?

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Without buying a utility program I need to move many files in many folders to a single folder. I think there is a ms command but am not sure about the exact syntax. Can someone format the command line for me where I can simply insert the directory information? I would also like to retain the original file dates. I am using XP. Thanks in advance and am sorry for not being very pc LITERATE. Quote from: Bluescoot on April 07, 2011, 08:25:21 AM

Without buying a utility program I need to move many files in many folders to a single folder. I think there is a ms command but am not sure about the exact syntax. Can someone format the command line for me where I can simply insert the directory information? I would also like to retain the original file dates. I am using XP. Thanks in advance and am sorry for not being very pc literate.

copy /?
move /?
xcopy /?

Something like this might help...

Code: [Select]@echo off
set /p mainfolder=What is the main folder?
echo Type all the other folders, pressing enter after each one. Type exit to stop.
:again
set /p otherfolder=Other folders?
if %otherfolder%==exit goto :eof
xcopy %otherfolder%\*.* %mainfolder%
goto again
I got some help on the copy command. Still UNSURE of my syntax. Can anyone review my attempt below ?

I am attempting to copy all my mp3 files on my hard drive E:/Allmusic/ multiple folders

To E:/all music/new files

Will this consolidate all the files to one folder?

If successful I'll go back and delete the old directories and files.



COPY [/-Y] [/E:/all music/[+ ...]][[/E:/all music/new all files/[+ ...]]Quote
I need to move many files in many folders to a single folder.
Wrong!
The question is wrong. There is not provision for such a thing. You need too restates the question.
Files could be reamed and moved, but you question did not allow for that.
Before getting the right answer, you haven to ask a question that conforms to the structure of the files system.

Consider: If a files system required all files to have an unique identifier, there would be few reasons to have folders. In fact, there are such files systems. However, the path is, effectively, part of the unique ID of any file in Windows. (And also and many other OS.)
The question suggests muddled thinking or lack of insight.

Otherwise, if the OP can state a clear objective as to why many files need to appear visible as if they all were part of one group, clas, FAMILY, collection or genure, then a clear precise answer can be provided.

Or, to put it another way, Imagine you went into n bookstore and all the books have the save name. Is that within reason?

Quote
Student: I want the book 'war and Peace.'
Librarian. Which War and Peace?
Student: No, not any book about war and peace, just the book with the TITLE.
Librarian: We have 743 books with the exact title, every one has different content.
Student: Why did you do that.
Librarian: Saves shelf space. So says our computer whiz.
Student: That is crazy, Who told you to do such a stupid thing.
Librarian: Bill Gates.


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