[Batch] Backing Up Data with a Batch(.bat) File

The Need for Data Backup in Windows

Creating a batch file to automate the process of copying files to a specified directory on a regular schedule can be incredibly convenient. Here is a simple guide on using the xcopy command to achieve this.

Guide

1. Create Batch File

1. backup.bat

   @ECHO OFF
   
   @REM Set language encoding to UTF-8
   chcp 65001
   
   IF "%1" == "" (
       SET /P source="Please enter the absolute path of the folder to be backed up: "
   ) ELSE (
       SET source=%~1
   )
   
   IF NOT EXIST "%source%\" (
       ECHO Path does not exist
       PAUSE
       EXIT
   )
   
   IF "%2" == "" (
       SET /P target="Please enter the absolute path for storing the backup: "
   ) ELSE (
       SET target=%~2
   )
   
   IF EXIST "%target%\" (
       choice /c Yn /m "The target path already contains files. Do you want to overwrite?"
   
       @REM Incorrect condition
       IF ERRORLEVEL 255 GOTO CLOSE
       @REM Choose not to overwrite
       IF ERRORLEVEL 2 GOTO CLOSE
       @REM Choose to continue backup
       IF ERRORLEVEL 1 GOTO CONTINUE
   
       @REM Cancel command
       IF ERRORLEVEL 0 GOTO CLOSE
   
       :CLOSE
           ECHO Backup canceled
           PAUSE
           EXIT
   
       :CONTINUE
           ECHO The target path files will be overwritten
           PAUSE
   )
   
   xcopy "%source%" "%target%" /s /e /h /i /c /y
   
   ECHO File backup complete
   
   PAUSE

   Please note that the encoding format of this batch file should be saved as UTF-8 or you can save it in another encoding and modify the chcp setting accordingly to avoid any issues with garbled Chinese characters.

2. Usage

1. Directly input the source and target directories in the command:

   backup.bat "C:\test\source" "C:\test\target"

2. Double-click the file to use the interactive command line to input the target directory:
   

Environment

• Windows 10

References

• https://learn.microsoft.com/zh-tw/windows-server/administration/windows-commands/xcopy