Step‑by‑Step iXCopy Tutorial: Move Files Like a ProiXCopy is a powerful utility designed to make file copying, synchronization, and data migration faster, safer, and more controllable than standard file managers. This tutorial walks through setup, core features, advanced techniques, and troubleshooting so you can move files like a pro — whether you’re migrating data between drives, copying large datasets over a network, or keeping folders in sync.
What is iXCopy and when to use it
iXCopy is a command-line and/or graphical tool (depending on distribution) focused on robust file transfer operations. It excels when you need:
- Reliable copying of large numbers of files without GUI timeouts.
- Resumable transfers for interrupted or unstable connections.
- Detailed copy rules (filters, exclusions, date and size conditions).
- Synchronization to mirror folders or perform one-way updates.
- Verification after copy to ensure data integrity.
Getting started: Installation & first run
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Download iXCopy from the official site or your platform’s package manager.
- Windows: run the installer.
- macOS: use Homebrew (if available) or DMG.
- Linux: install via your distro’s package manager or download a tarball.
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Launch the app: open the GUI or open a terminal and type:
ixcopy --help -
Check version and basic help to confirm installation:
ixcopy --version ixcopy --help
Core concepts and terminology
- Source: the file(s) or folder(s) you’re copying from.
- Destination: where the files are copied to.
- Sync: updating destination to match source (can be one-way or two-way).
- Filters: rules to include/exclude files by pattern, size, or date.
- Resume: continue an interrupted transfer from where it left off.
- Verification: checksum or byte-by-byte comparison after copy.
Basic copy: the simplest command
To copy a folder and its contents:
ixcopy /path/to/source /path/to/destination Common useful flags:
- -r or –recursive — copy directories recursively
- -v or –verbose — show detailed progress
- -p or –preserve — keep timestamps and permissions
Example:
ixcopy -r -p -v ~/Documents/Project /mnt/backup/Project Using filters to copy only what you need
Include only specific file types:
ixcopy -r --include="*.docx" --include="*.xlsx" ~/Work /mnt/backup/Work_docs Exclude temp and cache files:
ixcopy -r --exclude="*.tmp" --exclude="cache/*" ~/Work /mnt/backup/Work_clean Resumable and robust transfers
For unstable networks or very large files, use resume and retry options:
ixcopy -r --resume --retries=5 --retry-delay=10 source dest This continues partial file transfers and retries on failures with a 10-second delay.
Synchronization modes
One‑way sync (mirror source to destination):
ixcopy --sync=one-way -r --delete source dest Two‑way sync (bi-directional, careful with conflicts):
ixcopy --sync=two-way -r source dest Conflict handling options:
- –conflict=prompt — ask on each conflict
- –conflict=keep-newer — automatically keep newer files
Verification and integrity checks
To verify after copying:
ixcopy -r --verify=checksum source dest For speed, you can use faster but less thorough checks:
ixcopy -r --verify=mtime-size source dest Scheduling and automation
Use cron (macOS/Linux) or Task Scheduler (Windows) to run iXCopy regularly.
Example cron entry to run nightly at 2:00 AM:
0 2 * * * /usr/local/bin/ixcopy -r --log=/var/log/ixcopy_backup.log /home/user /mnt/backup Logging and reporting
Enable logs to capture detailed operation records:
ixcopy -r --log=/path/to/logfile --log-level=info source dest Review logs for errors, skipped files, and performance metrics.
Performance tuning
- Use multithreaded mode if available: –threads=4
- Exclude large temp files and unnecessary patterns.
- For network transfers, increase buffer size: –buffer-size=16M
Example:
ixcopy -r --threads=8 --buffer-size=32M source dest Common pitfalls and troubleshooting
- Permissions errors: run with elevated privileges or adjust ownership.
- Path length issues on Windows: enable long path support or use UNC paths.
- Incomplete copies: enable –resume and check logs for network errors.
- Conflicts in two-way sync: use simulation/dry-run first: –dry-run
Dry-run example:
ixcopy -r --dry-run --sync=one-way source dest Advanced examples
Copy only files changed in the last 7 days:
ixcopy -r --modified-within=7d source dest Mirror a server directory over SSH:
ixcopy -r --ssh user@server:/remote/path /local/path Copy and compress on the fly:
ixcopy -r --compress=gzip source dest/archive.gz Secure transfers
- Use –ssh or –sftp for remote destinations.
- Enable encryption for archived transfers if supported: –encrypt.
- Verify checksums after transfer to ensure integrity.
Checklist: Move files like a pro
- Install and verify iXCopy.
- Plan filters and sync mode.
- Use resume and retries for reliability.
- Run dry-runs before destructive operations.
- Enable logging and verification.
- Automate with scheduled tasks.
Summary
iXCopy provides granular control, robustness, and performance features for professional file transfers. Using filters, resume, verification, and scheduling will help you move large datasets reliably and efficiently. Practice with dry-runs and logs before performing critical migrations.
If you want, I can tailor a step‑by‑step script for a specific scenario — local drive backup, server migration over SSH, or scheduled folder sync.
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