Copy and pasting, how accurate is it?

Question

When you right click a folder copy and paste it onto an external HD, is there any chance it could also copy deleted files from the past or does it only copy the folder you've selected?
Also when highlighting multiple files at once and copying and pasting as above the same question?

Does it make any difference in copying and pasting in Fat32 format or NTFS?

Answer 1

Not deleted files, but explorer would copy system and hidden files in that folder i believe. (this is when you select/copy a folder, not a file or file(s)).



If you select a file or files and no folders then it's very simple: the files you selected wil be copied. If a selected set of files however also includes a folder then the above rule about copying folders applies.



If you open the folder that contains the recyclebin (you would have to set explorer to show hidden files and system files) and copy the files in them, then you copy "deleted" files, although those files aren't realy deleted but instead moved to that special folder.



It doesn't matter what the filesystem is when copying as long as the filesystem is recognized by the operating system, or the application that you use to copy with. A rather unimportant exception might be that files in different filesystem make use up a slightly different amount of space, but the data stored in the files wil remain exactly the same.



For the sake of clarity i always make windows explorer show hidden and system files, and also the file-extentions of known file-types. These settings don't influence the above rule about copying folders though (at least in my version of explorer in windows xp), so even when not displaying hidden or system files they still wil be copied when present in a folder you selected to be copied.



Hiding hidden and system files is a default setting to prevent computer-novices from doing something harmfull to the computer, like deleting important system files, whilst hiding file-extentions is supposed to look neater. These settings limit the view of non-novice on the computer though. So if your computer isn't accessed by people that don''t know what they are doing it's best to display everything that can be displayed.



If it's important though that some files get copied, or get not copied, always verify the result. A good way to loose files is thinking you copied them whilst you actually didn't. Happened to me once, making me loose a carefully created simcity 4 map that i thought i made a copy of.



Add. info:



A hidden file is a file with the hidden attribute set. A file atribute is a simple flag that tells something about the file, so the operating system and/or application handling the file knows how to treat the file. There are 4 standard file-attributes:

- hidden (marks the file as hidden)

- system (marks the file as being an important system file)

- read only (marks the file as undeletable)

- archive (indicates wether the file has been backed up)



File-attributes can be manually set. If you for instance look at the properties of a file you likely wil be able to set or undo the hidden or read only attribute. The other attributes (system/archive) may be set also using other means, but because changing these attributes can have a bigger impact it isn't made that simple to change them.

Answer 2

No, deleted files will not be transfered over, but if you have hidden files they will be transfered over, and it doesn;t matter the file type or size all will transfer with drag and drop or copy and paste. although drag and drop might remove it from the folder it is in and move it, so if you want a copy ,then copy and past

(hot key for copy: ctrl+C

(hot key for paste: ctrl+V





OK wanna lnow what hidden files are ok,



well asumming you have a PC/windows,

Go to Desktop

Press Start or the picture of a flag in a circel.

A window on the left should pop up. asumming you havent edited your windows.

now press on search

and search hidden.

look for a folder icon that will say" show hidden files or folders

press on it

you should be on the VIEW TAB

ok you will see abunch of sqaure checks and about 2 circle ones near the top

press show hidden files. now normaly this shouldn't change anything.

but what you can do is

you have a image.

you wanna hide from your (dog)

press right click any file i.e image

look down at properties

and look at the window that pops up and look at the bottom and you should see either

"read-only

write-only

read and write,

blahblah same thing different patterns

and hopefully

you should see one that says hidden. press it. press apply.

and it should look transparent if you set show hidden files to "on

but once off it wont show. but its still there.



NOTE, make sure your computer is most up to date, i dont think they have these options in later versions.

Answer 3

The Copy and Paste utility is for copying selected text, etc, from an open file on the screen and pasting it into another document or page, browser search slot or onscreen form, etc. To move or copy a folder or file, you click on the folder or file and drag it to the directory or external device as required (known as Drag and Drop).

You can move multipy folders or files by holding down the control key (Ctrl) and clicking on each file or folder. Or click on the first file or folder while holding down the Shift key and click on the last file or folder and all the folders or files will be selected between the first and last inclusive. You then simply drag and drop the selection as required.

As far as I know, any deleted files will not be copied over!

Answer 4

View Hidden Files -> http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/show-hidden-files-in-windows-7/



Copying is copying, (No Deleted files are transfered During copying)



And no theres no difference copying from Fat32 or NTFS.

See -> http://cquirke.mvps.org/ntfs.htm



Hope it helps :)

Answer 5

I don't know but coping should be accurate or the programs which are copied should not work and what made you think this did you find anything

Answer 6

should all copy fine

its a little difficult to get deleted files.... not sure were you heard that from?

format shouldnt matter

Answer 7

no difference