Populate multiple folders with a particular file?

[elcoyoteloco]

Hi all, this is my first post on this forum.

I need to populate about 200 folders with the same file. I googled but couldn't find anything on this, so I'm hoping there's a way to do it using batch commands. Otherwise I'll need to browse to each folder individually and paste the file into them, which will take a lot of time.

Thanks

PS:

The file I want to add is ".directory". It tells XP what image to use (i.e. "folder.jpg")when a folder is viewed as a thumbnail. I'm using it for my music collection.

If you want to try this, just create a txt file with this text:
[Desktop Entry]
Icon=./folder.jpg (you can also use png images)

Rename it ".directory" and put it in the same folder as an album's mp3's and album cover. Go to that folder's parent and switch to thumbnail view, and the album cover should display. Pretty cool.

[avery_larry]

Code: Select all

set "file=c:\path to\your file\.directory"
set "parentdir=c:\path to\the parent folder"

cd /d "%parentdir%"
for /d /r %%a in (*) do copy "%file%" "%%a"

[elcoyoteloco]

I'll try it tonight. Thanks

UPDATE: That worked. Thanks again!

[elcoyoteloco]

Follow-up question: Is there a way to have it copy ONLY to folders that don't already have the file?

Thanks

[avery_larry]

Well, by default it will not overwrite -- so in essence it'll only copy if it doesn't exist. You can use

copy "%file%" "%%a" >nul 2>nul

to supress any errors. If you really want to exclude directories that already have the file, then:

Code: Select all

set "fdir=c:\path to\your file
set "fname=.directory"
set "parentdir=c:\path to\the parent folder"

cd /d "%parentdir%"
for /d /r %%a in (*) do if not exist "%%~a\%fname%" do copy "%fdir%\%fname%" "%%~a" 

[elcoyoteloco]

I'll give it try. Thanks!