Backup/Restore of an Empty Directory (73711)


The information in this article applies to:
    • Microsoft MS-DOS operating system 3.1
    • Microsoft MS-DOS operating system 3.2
    • Microsoft MS-DOS operating system 3.21
    • Microsoft MS-DOS operating system 3.3
    • Microsoft MS-DOS operating system 3.3a
    • Microsoft MS-DOS operating system 4.0
    • Microsoft MS-DOS operating system 4.01
    • Microsoft MS-DOS operating system 5.0
This article was previously published under Q73711

SUMMARY

The BACKUP/RESTORE commands work only with files. The directory structure is kept only if it is needed. Therefore, if a directory is empty, the BACKUP/RESTORE commands ignore that particular directory.

MORE INFORMATION

For example, the listing of a directory is as follows 
   .            <DIR>     02-05-91
   ..           <DIR>     02-05-91
   EMPTY        <DIR>     06-27-91
   FULL         <DIR>     06-27-91
   TEST     SYS      6458 06-27-91
where the directory called EMPTY, has no files in it and the FULL directory has at least 1 file in it. When a BACKUP/RESTORE is completed, the same directory listing is as follows: 
    .            <DIR>     02-05-91
   ..           <DIR>     02-05-91
   FULL         <DIR>     06-27-91
   TEST     SYS      6458 06-27-91
The version 5.0 "Microsoft MS-DOS User's Guide and Reference" defines BACKUP and RESTORE as follows: 
   BACKUP   Backs up one or more files from one disk to another.

   RESTORE  Restores files that were backed up by using the BACKUP
            command.
Modification Type: Major Last Reviewed: 11/26/2003
Keywords: KB73711
©2003 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.