Copy-Item and Move-Item in PowerShell - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

Recall & Review

beginner

What does the PowerShell cmdlet <code>Copy-Item</code> do?

It copies files or folders from one location to another, similar to copying a file on your computer.

beginner

What is the difference between Copy-Item and Move-Item?

Copy-Item duplicates the file or folder, leaving the original intact. Move-Item transfers the file or folder to a new location and removes it from the original place.

beginner

How do you copy a file named report.txt from C:\Docs to D:\Backup using PowerShell?

Use the command: <br>Copy-Item -Path 'C:\Docs\report.txt' -Destination 'D:\Backup'

intermediate

What happens if you use Move-Item to move a file to a folder that already has a file with the same name?

PowerShell will overwrite the existing file without warning, replacing it with the moved file.

intermediate

How can you copy all files from one folder to another, including subfolders, using Copy-Item?

Use the -Recurse parameter: <br>Copy-Item -Path 'C:\SourceFolder\*' -Destination 'D:\TargetFolder' -Recurse

What parameter do you use with Copy-Item to include all subfolders?

A -Recurse

B -IncludeSubfolders

C -All

D -Subdirs

The -Recurse parameter tells PowerShell to copy all files and folders inside subfolders.

Which cmdlet would you use to move a file instead of copying it?

A Move-Item

B Copy-Item

C Rename-Item

D Remove-Item

Move-Item moves files or folders to a new location, removing them from the original place.

If you want to copy a file but keep the original, which cmdlet should you use?

A Move-Item

B Remove-Item

C Copy-Item

D Rename-Item

Copy-Item duplicates the file, so the original stays where it is.

What happens if you move a file to a location where a file with the same name exists?

A PowerShell asks for confirmation

B The existing file is overwritten

C The move fails with an error

D The file is renamed automatically

By default, Move-Item overwrites files with the same name without asking.

How do you specify the source file in Copy-Item?

A -Source

B -File

C -From

D -Path

The -Path parameter specifies the file or folder to copy.

Explain how to copy a folder and all its contents to a new location using PowerShell.

Think about copying everything inside the folder, not just the folder itself.

Describe the difference between copying and moving files in PowerShell and when you might use each.

Consider what happens to the original file in each case.