Copy-Item
Use Copy-Item to copy files or directories. Review path handling, recursive copies and examples before choosing a destination.
Documentation: Microsoft Learn — Copy-Item
Syntax
See the command anatomy
Read the command and its supplied arguments. This example requires real PowerShell or its module; this diagram does not execute it.
Copy-Item [-Path] <String[]> [[-Destination] <string>] [-Recurse] [-Force] [<CommonParameters>]- Stage 1Copy-Item
-Path -Destination -Recurse -Force
Try it
PowerShell example · browser support is limited.
Execution scope: The full example below requires PowerShell outside this browser. You can edit this runner to use the supported practice commands; unsupported syntax returns an explanation.
Follow the objects
Run the command to inspect each stage.
Examples
Run Copy-Item
Show reference output
Sample output · fictional data, shaped like the real thing
(No pipeline output. The file-system operation completed in the sample environment.)
Copy-Item -Recurse
Show reference output
Sample output · fictional data, shaped like the real thing
(No pipeline output. The file-system operation completed in the sample environment.)
Parameters
Parameter definitions:
-Path-Destination-Recurse-Force
Practical use and troubleshooting
Practical scenario: Use Copy-Item when you need to copy files or directories. Review path handling, recursive copies and examples before choosing a destination. Start with one identified target and inspect the returned values before extending the operation to a list. Keep the identity in your report so you can trace each result back to the object or path that produced it.
Common error and fix: A missing-source-path error needs checking the source separately from the destination. Use a literal source path for names containing wildcard characters, then confirm the copied file at the destination. In an unattended script, capture this failure with its original error record and record which target failed. An empty result and an unsuccessful query must remain distinguishable in the final report.
See also: New-Item. New-Item creates an item at the requested path; Copy-Item copies an existing item. Creating a directory does not automatically copy a folder tree into it. Read the linked command before substituting it; similar names do not imply identical inputs or output.
Recap
Copy-Item Use Copy-Item to copy files or directories. Review path handling, recursive copies and examples before choosing a destination.
Next: Get-Item