Richcopy ((install)) (Windows)

In the landscape of data management, the native file copy functionalities of Microsoft Windows (such as copy in Command Prompt, xcopy , robocopy , and standard drag-and-drop via File Explorer) have historically served the needs of average consumers. However, IT professionals, system administrators, and power users often require more granular control over file transfers—especially when dealing with large volumes of data, unreliable network connections, or the need to preserve specific file attributes. RichCopy , a free utility originally developed by Microsoft employee Ken Tamaru, was designed to fill this gap. Although it has been discontinued and is no longer officially supported by Microsoft, RichCopy remains a noteworthy tool for its multi-threaded copying capabilities and robust error recovery features.

RichCopy emerged during the era of Windows Vista and Windows 7. Unlike robocopy (Robust File Copy), which is a command-line tool included with Windows, RichCopy was designed with a graphical user interface (GUI) to make advanced copying options more accessible. Microsoft often distributed RichCopy internally and to enterprise customers as a solution for migrating data to new servers or workstations. While Microsoft no longer offers an official download link, the utility survives on third-party repositories and is still used in legacy environments. richcopy

| Feature | File Explorer | Robocopy | RichCopy | |---------|--------------|----------|----------| | Graphical Interface | Yes | No | Yes | | Multi-threaded | No | Yes (since Windows 8) | Yes | | Error resilience | Low | High | High | | Delta copy | No | No | Yes | | Built-in scheduler | No | No (needs Task Scheduler) | Yes | | Microsoft support | Yes | Yes | No (discontinued) | In the landscape of data management, the native

RichCopy: An Advanced File Copy Utility for Enterprise and Power Users Although it has been discontinued and is no