Windows
Linux
File Management
Copy/Move
Windows robocopy /xo equivalent in Linux
Copies only files that are newer than existing destination files.
Windows
→
robocopy /xo
Linux equivalents
rsync -au source/ destination/
rsync -au source/ destination/
rsync -au source/ destination/
Overview
What this command does
Copies only files that are newer than existing destination files.
Migration tip: Check the distro-specific rows before copying; package names and service names can differ even when the tool name is similar.
Practical tasks
Common use cases
Skip older source files
Copies only files that are newer than existing destination files.
rsync -au source/ destination/
Skip older source files
rsync --help
Show command help when supported
man rsync
Open the manual page when installed
Ready to run
Copyable Linux commands
Review paths, device names, package names and permissions before running any command.
rsync -au source/ destination/
Walkthrough
Examples with explanations
# Windows equivalent: robocopy /xo
rsync -au source/ destination/Reference
Common options and variations
| Command or option | Use |
|---|---|
rsync -au source/ destination/ | Skip older source files |
rsync --help | Show command help when supported |
man rsync | Open the manual page when installed |
Distro differences
Debian/Ubuntu vs Fedora vs Arch
The equivalent is shown for Debian/Ubuntu, Fedora and Arch. Some rows use a different package manager or helper tool where Linux distributions commonly diverge.
| Distribution | Package manager / base | Equivalent command | Difference to notice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Debian/Ubuntu | same command | rsync -au source/ destination/ |
Same command on this distribution. |
| Fedora | same command | rsync -au source/ destination/ |
Same command on this distribution. |
| Arch | same command | rsync -au source/ destination/ |
Same command on this distribution. |
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