Windows
Linux
File Management
Copy/Move
Windows xcopy /e equivalent in Linux
Copies folders recursively while preserving common metadata.
Windows
→
xcopy /e
Linux equivalents
cp -a source_dir destination_dir
cp -a source_dir destination_dir
cp -a source_dir destination_dir
Overview
What this command does
Copies folders recursively while preserving common metadata.
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
Copy directory tree
Copies folders recursively while preserving common metadata.
cp -a source_dir destination_dir
Copy directory tree
cp --help
Show command help when supported
man cp
Open the manual page when installed
Ready to run
Copyable Linux commands
Review paths, device names, package names and permissions before running any command.
cp -a source_dir destination_dir
Walkthrough
Examples with explanations
# Windows equivalent: xcopy /e
cp -a source_dir destination_dirReference
Common options and variations
| Command or option | Use |
|---|---|
cp -a source_dir destination_dir | Copy directory tree |
cp --help | Show command help when supported |
man cp | 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 | cp -a source_dir destination_dir |
Same command on this distribution. |
| Fedora | same command | cp -a source_dir destination_dir |
Same command on this distribution. |
| Arch | same command | cp -a source_dir destination_dir |
Same command on this distribution. |
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