robocopy doesn't create symlinks when using /sl and /b together, when invoked again it will copy at least a file's flags again

hi,

when using robocopy's parameters /sl , /b together, robocopy won't create symlinks copy symlink's target instead. of course i'm concerned file symlinks, i've not seen directory symlinks working robocopy yet.

assume have 2 folders 0 , 1, there file test.txt in folder 0 , symlink link.txt file. link created using

mklink link.txt test.txt

. i'm copying 0 1 using robocopy:

robocopy 0 1 /sl /b

robocopy create 2 identical files in 1. additionally, when run again above parameters, robocopy not skip link.txt reason "same", copy parts of it again reason "<mismatch c>". mean, actual data of file not copied again, bytes column in robocopies output 0, @ least flags copied. pretty anoying if use robocopy creating backup mirror option /a+:a , if backup mirror third party software tape backup program. program might rely on archive flag incremental backups , therefore backup symlinks again.

however, want symlinks symlinks in backup (others might not), have advantages of /b.

is there way to achieve this?

hi,

according description, understanding robocopy doesn't create symlinks when using /sl , /b.

after using mklink create symbolic link, please using “dir” check , make sure symlink created.

detail commands may reference - symbolic link:
https://blogs.msdn.microsoft.com/junfeng/2006/04/15/symbolic-link-in-windows-vista/

then, using “robocopy” parameter “/sl” check result.

best regards,
eve wang

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