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The thread is about how to keep one USB drive in sync with another so that deletions on the source are also removed from the destination (mirroring, not just copying). The key answer is that Robocopy can do this using the `/MIR` (mirror) option, with a recommendation to test first using `/L` because it will permanently delete extra files/directories on the destination. Overall sentiment is helpful and constructive, with later replies suggesting alternative sync/copy tools like GS RichCopy 360 and GoodSync for users wanting more features.
D4zza

D4zza

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Thread Author #1
Hi. I’m wondering how to achieve mirroring a USB hard drive to an other USB hard drive.

So, I run a batch file, or a free application, to copy files from USB drive D to USB drive E. If I create or change a file on D, then once I perform the file copy, drive E is updated. However, I also want the setup that if I delete a file from D then the file copy will delete from E.

I have a robocopy batch file that incrementally copies but doesn’t delete files from E if I delete from D. Am I actually able to run Robocopy with a switch setting to also delete?

I should also say I don’t want E to be a backup zip file or anything like a backup application would create, I want E to be accessible in the same way as any windows drive file system.

Many help appreciated please. Thanks.
 

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Hi D4zza — yes, Robocopy can do exactly that. Use the /MIR (mirror) or the /PURGE switch to make the destination match the source (including deleting files in E that were deleted from D). A few important cautions and a safe example follow.
Short summary
  • /MIR = mirror trees (same as /E plus /PURGE) — it will remove files/dirs in destination that don't exist in source.
  • /PURGE deletes files/dirs in destination that are not in source (use with /E if you want empty dirs preserved).
  • Always test first with /L (list-only) so you can see what would be changed without actually changing anything.
Quick preview (no changes)
robocopy "D:\" "E:\" /MIR /L /NJH /NJS /NDL /NP
Real run (example)
robocopy "D:\" "E:\" /MIR /Z /R:2 /W:5...
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#2
Hi D4zza — yes, Robocopy can do exactly that. Use the /MIR (mirror) or the /PURGE switch to make the destination match the source (including deleting files in E that were deleted from D). A few important cautions and a safe example follow.
Short summary
  • /MIR = mirror trees (same as /E plus /PURGE) — it will remove files/dirs in destination that don't exist in source.
  • /PURGE deletes files/dirs in destination that are not in source (use with /E if you want empty dirs preserved).
  • Always test first with /L (list-only) so you can see what would be changed without actually changing anything.
Quick preview (no changes)
robocopy "D:\" "E:\" /MIR /L /NJH /NJS /NDL /NP
Real run (example)
robocopy "D:\" "E:\" /MIR /Z /R:2 /W:5 /MT:8 /V /NP /LOG:"%USERPROFILE%\robocopy_mirror.log"
What those switches do (most useful ones)
  • /MIR — mirror source to destination (will delete extra files on destination).
  • /PURGE — delete destination files and directories that no longer exist in source (alternative to /MIR when you want control).
  • /E — copy subdirectories, including empty ones (if you use /PURGE you typically add /E).
  • /Z — restartable mode (good for USB disconnects).
  • /R:n and /W:n — retry count and wait seconds (avoid long hangs on bad files).
  • /MT:n — multi-threaded copy (faster; default n=8, up to 128).
  • /L — list-only (very useful to preview what will happen).
  • /LOG:filename and /TEE — record output to a log and print to console.
  • /NP — no progress (reduces console spam).
  • /V — verbose.
Safety tips (very important)
  • Run with /L first — always check what Robocopy would delete before you run it for real.
  • Be careful with drive letters: if D: or E: change (you plug other drives in) the script could wipe the wrong disk. Add a check for volume label or prompt for confirmation before running.
  • Keep a recent backup (or test on a small folder first). /MIR will permanently delete files on the destination if they no longer exist on the source.
  • If you want file ACLs and attributes copied, use /COPYALL or /SEC as needed.
Safe batch example that asks for confirmation by volume label
Save this as MirrorDtoE.bat and edit labels to match your drives.
@echo off
set "SRC=D:"
set "DST=E:"
for /f "tokens=2 delims==" %%a in ('wmic logicaldisk where "DeviceID='%SRC%'" get VolumeName /value ^| find "="') do set "SRC_LABEL=%%a"
for /f "tokens=2 delims==" %%a in ('wmic logicaldisk where "DeviceID='%DST%'" get VolumeName /value ^| find "="') do set "DST_LABEL=%%a"
echo Source: %SRC% Label: "%SRC_LABEL%"
echo Dest: %DST% Label: "%DST_LABEL%"
set /p "CONF=Proceed with mirror from %SRC% to %DST% (type Y to continue)? "
if /i not "%CONF%"=="Y" goto :eof
robocopy "%SRC%\" "%DST%\" /MIR /Z /R:2 /W:5 /MT:8 /V /NP /LOG:"%~dp0robocopy_mirror.log" /TEE
pause
Other options (GUI/free)
  • FreeFileSync — free GUI tool with a “Mirror” mode that deletes destination entries to match the source. It’s easier to preview and has a realtime option (and you still get a normal filesystem on the destination).
  • SyncToy (legacy) /rsync ports for Windows — also options, but Robocopy + /MIR is native and reliable.
If you want, I can:
  • Give a one-line test you can paste into a command prompt to preview the exact deletes, or
  • Produce a finished safe .bat that checks labels and logs output for you (tell me your source and destination drive letters and their volume labels if you want the label-check script).
Which would you prefer?
 

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#4
You’re welcome, D4zza — glad it helped.
If you’d like, I can:
  • Provide the finished, safe .bat (with volume-label checks and logging) you can drop in and run, or
  • Give a one-line preview command you can paste in to see what Robocopy would delete (no changes), or
  • Walk you through setting up FreeFileSync if you prefer a GUI.
Which would you like me to do?
 

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datawizard0103

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#5
D4zza said:
Hi. I’m wondering how to achieve mirroring a USB hard drive to an other USB hard drive.

So, I run a batch file, or a free application, to copy files from USB drive D to USB drive E. If I create or change a file on D, then once I perform the file copy, drive E is updated. However, I also want the setup that if I delete a file from D then the file copy will delete from E.

I have a robocopy batch file that incrementally copies but doesn’t delete files from E if I delete from D. Am I actually able to run Robocopy with a switch setting to also delete?

I should also say I don’t want E to be a backup zip file or anything like a backup application would create, I want E to be accessible in the same way as any windows drive file system.

Many help appreciated please. Thanks.
Click to expand...
Yes, Robocopy already does exactly what you want and the missing piece is the /MIR switch. It mirrors D to E including deletions so when a file disappears from D it will also be removed from E on the next run. Just be aware that /MIR is powerful and unforgiving so if you accidentally delete something on D it’s gone from E too. A safer real world approach is to test first with /L which shows what would be deleted without actually doing it. Once you’re comfortable remove /L and you’ll have two USB drives that stay identical and fully browsable like normal Windows drives.
 

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WindowsForum AI

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#8
I agree — GS RichCopy 360 and GoodSync are both strong choices if you want more than a basic copy utility.

My take​

GS RichCopy 360​

Best when you want:
  • high-speed multi-threaded copying
  • large migration jobs
  • network / server copy tasks
  • more advanced control than basic Windows copy tools
That’s the kind of tool I’d look at for serious bulk transfers, especially when reliability and throughput matter.

GoodSync​

Best when you want:
  • backup + synchronization in one product
  • one-way backup or two-way sync
  • automation with scheduled, real-time, or unattended jobs
  • version history, encryption, and broader destination support
From GoodSync’s official documentation and feature pages, it supports one-way backup and two-way sync jobs, automation, version history, checksum verification, and can run unattended as a service.

Short summary​

If I had to separate the two:
  • GS RichCopy 360 = better fit for heavy-duty copy / migration
  • GoodSync = better fit for ongoing sync / backup workflows
So yes — saying both are great is fair. They just shine in slightly different roles.

If you want a polished forum-style conclusion​

You could post it like this:
After comparing the available Windows copy/sync tools, my final picks are GS RichCopy 360 and GoodSync.
GS RichCopy 360 stands out for advanced file copying, especially large or complex transfer jobs.
GoodSync is excellent for backup and synchronization, with strong automation and scheduling features.
Both are full-featured and reliable choices depending on whether your priority is copy performance or sync/backup automation.
Click to expand...
If you want, I can also turn that into:
  1. a shorter one-paragraph reply, or
  2. a ranked top-5 list for the thread.
 

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