RichCopy

RichCopy
RichCopy
Developer	Microsoft
Stable release	4.0.217
Operating system	Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows Server 2003
License	Proprietary

Last updated December 20, 2025

RichCopy is a file copying utility program for Windows developed by Ken Tamaru of Microsoft Corporation that was discontinued in 2010.^[1] It is multi-threaded uses a graphical user interface (GUI), in contrast to many competing tools that are single-threaded and/or use a command-line interface (CLI).^[2]

Features

Supports multiple, simultaneous file transfers (via multi-threaded implementation), which may reduce the time required for to transfer a set of files
Provides both CLI and GUI
Via GUI, can generate CLI commands to repeat the actions performed in the GUI.^[3]

Criticisms

Bugs not fixed before support was discontinued remain; the utility is best utilized by experienced users who know how to verify that copy operations have completed successfully without errors^[4]
The utility is not supported by Microsoft.^[2] The program has not been updated since 2009, despite numerous users requesting bug fixes
Duplicates Robocopy functionality

Limitations

The utility will not copy open files.^[5] A competing tool, GS RichCopy 360, can copy open files.^[6]

References

↑ "A Comprehensive List of All 11 Discontinued Microsoft Utilities - Version Museum". Version Museum. 17 December 2019.
1 2 Hoffman, Joshua (April 2009). "Free Utility: RichCopy, an Advanced Alternative to RoboCopy". TechNet Magazine . Microsoft.
↑ Tamaru, Ken (20 May 2009). "Command option update". Ken (Kenzaburo) Tamaru's Blog. Microsoft – via Archived MSDN and TechNet Blogs.
↑ Ilascu, Ionut (March 25, 2009). "Microsoft's Multithread Copy Solution". softpedia.com. SoftNews NET SRL. Retrieved 2010-12-04.
↑ "CreateFileA function (Fileapi.h) - Win32 apps". 9 February 2023.
↑ "Gurusquad - GS RichCopy 360 – file copy tool | copy files over network".

External links

Official sources
Other
- TechNet Blog of Keith Combs describes advantages of using RichCopy and WinRAR to transfer multiple large files simultaneously.
- RichCopy How-To Guide
- Five Best Alternative File Copiers

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[1] "A Comprehensive List of All 11 Discontinued Microsoft Utilities - Version Museum". Version Museum. 17 December 2019.

[technet200904-2] 1 2 Hoffman, Joshua (April 2009). "Free Utility: RichCopy, an Advanced Alternative to RoboCopy". TechNet Magazine . Microsoft.

[3] Tamaru, Ken (20 May 2009). "Command option update". Ken (Kenzaburo) Tamaru's Blog. Microsoft – via Archived MSDN and TechNet Blogs.

[4] Ilascu, Ionut (March 25, 2009). "Microsoft's Multithread Copy Solution". softpedia.com. SoftNews NET SRL. Retrieved 2010-12-04.

[5] "CreateFileA function (Fileapi.h) - Win32 apps". 9 February 2023.

[6] "Gurusquad - GS RichCopy 360 – file copy tool | copy files over network".

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