How Do I Copy A Single File To All Subfolders In A Directory?

Question

1.00/5 (1 vote)

See more:

copy
C:\TempC\ABSS\d2kwut60.dll

into any subfolders in
C:\Program Files\Java\all sub folders

How can I perform this in PowerShell?

Code is shown below:
# PowerShell's New-Item creates a folder
$Location = "C:\TempC\"
New-Item -Path $Location -Name "ABSS" -ItemType "directory"

#Invoke-Item $Location
$targetdirectory = "C:\TempC\ABSS"
$sourcedirectory = "\\server2\Software\ABSS\ABSS Files\"

#Error handling

#Copying Items over from source to new created target directory on local machine from the share location
if (!(Test-Path -path $targetdirectory)) {New-Item $targetdirectory -Type Directory}
Copy-Item -Path $sourcedirectory\d2kwut60.dll -Destination $targetdirectory
Copy-Item -Path $sourcedirectory\jacob.dll -Destination $targetdirectory
Copy-Item -Path $sourcedirectory\JNIsharedStubs.dll -Destination $targetdirectory
Copy-Item -Path $sourcedirectory\webutil.properties -Destination $targetdirectory

Copy-Item $targetdirectory\d2kwut60.dll C:\Program Files\Java

Posted 10-Apr-15 7:25am

User 9727524

Updated 10-Apr-15 9:35am

v2

Add a Solution

2 solutions

Solution 1

Follow this:
Using the Copy-Item Cmdlet [^]
Copy-item Files in Folders and subfolders in the same directory structure of source server using Powershell[^]

Posted 10-Apr-15 8:18am

Maciej Los

Comments

[no name] 10-Apr-15 14:54pm

Based on your answer i used the Copy-Item function.
Copy-Item $targetdirectory\d2kwut60.dll C:\Program Files\Java*
I got returned an error A Positional parameter cannot be found that accepts argument 'Files\Java*'

the file would need to be copied to all the sub folders in the C:\Program Files\Java directory.

Sergey Alexandrovich Kryukov 10-Apr-15 15:18pm

Then please show your code.
Also, I would note that making multiple copies of the same file sounds like a technology abuse.
—SA

[no name] 10-Apr-15 15:35pm

I am showing the code, if you have a resolve please let me know. Thanks again

Sergey Alexandrovich Kryukov 10-Apr-15 16:06pm

Better follow my advise I put in Solution 2.
—SA

Sergey Alexandrovich Kryukov 10-Apr-15 15:23pm

5ed, but the whole thing is a bad idea. Please see my comment above.
See also my Solution 2. Unfortunately, not everyone knows that POSIX hard links more typical for *NIX are supported on Windows, but this is so, and a better way to go.
—SA

Maciej Los 10-Apr-15 17:01pm

Thank you, Sergey, however it's totally unlike you. Till now, you never gave me a 5 when you statement that's bad idea...

Sergey Alexandrovich Kryukov 10-Apr-15 17:06pm

I know, but here the bad idea is not your statement but the inquirer's. You merely point out how to copy a file which is nothing wrong. I mean, this information can be helpful to support better ideas...
—SA

Maciej Los 10-Apr-15 17:14pm

I wasn't sure what you have pointed out... Thank you ;)

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Sergey Alexandrovich Kryukov · Accepted Answer · 2015-04-10T09:21:00

Solution 2

Creating multiple copies of the same file sounds like a bad technology abuse.

In worst case, when some ill-organized structure really needs such multiple copies (one typical application are C/C++ header files used in different places of code), it could be much more appropriate to create POSIX hard links. Windows and NTFS certainly support this POSIX feature. See, for example: http://learn-powershell.net/2013/07/18/create-a-hard-link-using-powershell.

See also:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hard_link,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/POSIX.

—SA

Posted 10-Apr-15 9:21am

Sergey Alexandrovich Kryukov

Comments

[no name] 10-Apr-15 15:42pm

The reason why I am having it copy to all folders in that directory is because the subfolder after C:\Program Files\Java\"JRE_0.1.8"\ in quotations is a variable folder based on the version of java the user has installed, the files actually need to be copied in the bin folder that comes after the java version specific version. How can i account as the JRE folder being a variable and still reach the bin sub folder in it?

Sergey Alexandrovich Kryukov 10-Apr-15 16:05pm

All right, create the hard links then. Isn't my solution clear?
If you don't understand it, first read how hard links work.
—SA

Maciej Los 10-Apr-15 17:02pm

5ed!

Sergey Alexandrovich Kryukov 10-Apr-15 17:27pm

Thank you, Maciej.
—SA