How can I copy a folder hierarchy while excluding selected files and folders?

Question

I'm looking for a way to copy a folder structure from one place to another, selecting and deselecting individual files and folders for copying, including selecting parts of the content of previously deselected folders.

As an example, for the following hierarchy, I'd like to be able to select four files:

☑ File 1
☐ File 2
☑ Folder 1
  ☑ File 1.1
  ☑ File 1.2
☒ Folder 2
  ☐ File 2.1
  ☑ File 2.2
☐ Folder 3
  ☐ File 3.1
  ☐ File 3.2

and have the destination contain this hierarchy after copying:

- File 1
- Folder 1
  - File 1.1
  - File 1.2
- Folder 2
  - File 2.2

Tools like Windows Explorer, command-line copying and TeraCopy allow only copying entire hierarchies or deselecting individual files. How can I quickly copy the parts of the hierarchy I want while maintaining an overview?

Answer 1

TotalCommander can do this as Mick said.

When you have two panes open, select Commands -> Synchronise Directories option.

It doesn't display strictly like a tree (no collapsing nodes), but it allows one to select individual items. Right clicking a folder allows bulk (de)selection.

Now select Compare for the directories content to be scanned, ready for (de)selection.

Note that in the latter screenshot I have only chosen to Show the Green Arrow Meaning only items on the left and not the right are displayed.

FreeFileSync is almost there, but it's not ideal for this task (at least for me) for two reasons as it removes files/folder from the view immediately when you uncheck them for synchronisation.

Answer 2

Windows Explorer can do this (Windows 7, 8.x, 10). All you have to do is enable check boxes.

1. From the Start button, type "File Explorer Options"
2. Select the View tab
3. Check Use check boxes to select items
4. Click OK