If you’ve been using Windows 8 as your main PC, you have probably
noticed the vastly upgraded performance and user interface when
copying files.
Finally, Microsoft decided to revamp some of the core functions of the
OS, which makes using Windows 8 so much better than Windows 7…sometimes.
Unfortunately, even with all the great new security and updates to
core features, Windows 8 has been hampered by the dual desktop and Start
Screen interfaces. I personally switched back to Windows 7 because I
find the Start Screen and lack of the
Start button frustrating. However, back on Windows 7, I no longer have the new more-reliable copying functions of Windows 8.
In addition to faster performance, Windows 8 also handles file
conflicts and other errors way better than previous operating systems.
The best part is that you can actually pause and resume copy operations,
which is really useful.
However, until Microsoft
fixes Windows
8 the right way, I’m going to stick with Windows 7 and that means
having to use third-party apps for copying large number of files. In
this post, I’m going to list some of the best file copying utilities
currently out there that you can use for Windows. Depending on your
copying needs, some programs are better than others. I can’t say there
is one copying program that’s the “best”.
Instead of just listing them out in random order, which doesn’t
really help anybody, I’m going to break them down into categories:
fastest (local), fastest (network), handling
corrupted data, and most features.
Fastest File Copiers (Local)
1. FastCopy
FastCopy has been tested by many people and the results show that it
is far the fastest copying program out there for Windows. If you just
need raw speed, then this program is the best.
Pros: copies extremely fast, shell integration, x64
capabilities, runs without installation, strong command line support,
NSA file wiping utility for secure deleting, handles long path well,
ability to see what files/
folders will be affected before executing using the listing button.
Cons: Interface is very bare bones and not very intuitive, unable to pause a transfer, uninstalling is not intuitive.
Download FastCopy
2. ExtremeCopy Standard
ExtremeCopy Standard is a free and does a very good job of doing
local data transfers really fast. For whatever reason, it’s pretty
terrible for network transfers, so don’t bother downloading this program
if you have to transfer data across your LAN. It’s faster than TeraCopy
and very close to FastCopy.
Pros: copies data fast, integrates directly into
Explorer so you can copy and paste like normal, x64-bit version, ability
to pause copy operations.
Cons: standard version has no user interface, except
for options, bad for network transfers, pro features are available for
free in other copying programs, must install program to run.
Download ExtremeCopy Standard
3. KillCopy
KillCopy has a horrific looking interface when you
copy files,
but it gets the job done very fast. It’s also kind of old and isn’t
updated like TeraCopy, UltraCopier and other popular copy programs.
Pros: can resume copy on crash, parallel read/write,
resolution options in case of errors or file conflicts, some boost
options for faster performance, great network performance when copying,
ability to securely wipe data before copying.
Cons: terrible looking interface, doesn’t get updated very often, must be installed in order to run.
Download KillCopy
Fastest File Copiers (Network)
1. RichCopy 4
This tool was created internally by a Microsoft employee and wasn’t
released to the public until years later. It’s a bit old and hasn’t been
updated since 2009, but it’s ultra fast for network transfers. However,
it’s very slow for local copying, so don’t use this for anything other
than network transfers.
Pros: Very fast for network copying, parallel
copying, ability to pause and resume copying, ability to continue
copying even if network connection lost, clean interface.
Cons: hasn’t been updated in a long time, very slow for local copying.
Download RichCopy 4
2. KillCopy – KillCopy is just a tad slower than
RichCopy when performing network transfers. Unfortunately, because of
it’s horrible looks and lack of updates, it’s not that popular even
though it’s very fast.
3. FastCopy – This is your best bet if you’re
looking for one copying program to use on a regular basis. It’s not the
fastest for network transfers, but it’s very close and since it’s the
fastest for local transfers, it’s probably the best copying utility
overall.
4. Ultracopier
UltraCopier is fast, but speed is not it’s main selling point. It’s
got a nice interface and has a lot of useful features. Development has
slowed down, but it still gets updates every 6 months or so.
Pros: works on Linux and Mac too, supports
third-party plugins to extend functionality, start/stop copy, limit
speed, search through copy list, simple and clean interface.
Cons: speed is above average, but nothing special.
Download Ultracopier
Copying Corrupted Data
1. Unstoppable Copier
This is pretty much the only program that you can use to copy not
only a large number of files, but also corrupt files. In terms of
copying speed, it’s very slow compared to all the other programs, but
that’s because it is the most reliable of all copiers. If you have any
data that you believe could be corrupt like data stored on a hard drive
with bad sectors or on a scratched CD or DVD, then you should use
Unstoppable Copier.
Pros: can recover data from
corrupt files while copying, batch mode,
various settings for data recovery
Cons: very slow in terms of copying speed
Download Unstoppable Copier
File Copiers – Most Features
1. TeraCopy
If you’re looking for a more full-featured and fancier-looking
copier, then TeraCopy is the best choice. It would actually be the best
one overall if it’s copying speeds were on par with FastCopy, however,
it’s only about average. Where it makes up is all the features and the
nice interface.
Pros: very nice interface, integrates fully with
Windows, works with Windows 8 x64, stop and start, ability to recover
from errors, failed file list, very actively updated.
Cons: copying speed is only average.
Download TeraCopy