Compare two folders without copying anything (robocopy /L)
Run robocopy in list-only mode to preview exactly which files would be copied, i.e. which files are new or different between two folders.
01Command
$ robocopy "C:\Folder1" "D:\Folder2" /L /E /NJH /NJS02What it does
The /L switch makes robocopy simulate the operation: every file it lists is one that would be copied, meaning it's new or changed in Folder1 compared to Folder2. /E walks all subfolders, while /NJH and /NJS hide the header and summary lines for a clean list. This is a safe, built-in way to diff two folder trees.
03Risk
04Undo
✓No undo needed — this command does not change persistent state.
05Sources
- robocopy (Windows Commands)Evidence: Official reference: /l lists files without copying, timestamping or deleting; /njh and /njs suppress the job header and job summary.
- Robocopy - Robust file and folder copyEvidence: Documents /L (List only - don't copy, timestamp or delete any files) and /NJH /NJS (no job header/summary) switches.
Last verified: 2026-09-19 · Category: Files & Folders
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