Replaces files. If used with the /a option, replace adds new files to a directory instead of replacing existing files.
For examples of how to use this command, see Examples.
replace [<Drive1>:][<Path1>]<FileName> [<Drive2>:][<Path2>] [/a] [/p] [/r] [/w]
replace [<Drive1>:][<Path1>]<FileName> [<Drive2>:][<Path2>] [/p] [/r] [/s] [/w] [/u]
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Parameter
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Description
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[<Drive1>:][<Path1>]<FileName>
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Specifies the location and name of the source file or set of files. FileName is required, and can include wildcard characters (* and ?).
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[<Drive2>:][<Path2>]
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Specifies the location of the destination file. You cannot specify a file name for files you replace. If you do not specify a drive or path, replace uses the current drive and directory as the destination.
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/a
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Adds new files to the destination directory instead of replacing existing files. You cannot use this command-line option with the /s or /u command-line option.
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/p
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Prompts you for confirmation before replacing a destination file or adding a source file.
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/r
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Replaces Read-only and unprotected files. If you attempt to replace a Read-only file, but you do not specify /r, an error results and stops the replacement operation.
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/w
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Waits for you to insert a disk before the search for source files begins. If you do not specify /w, replace begins replacing or adding files immediately after you press ENTER.
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/s
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Searches all subdirectories in the destination directory and replaces matching files. You cannot use /s with the /a command-line option. The replace command does not search subdirectories that are specified in Path1.
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/u
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Replaces only those files on the destination directory that are older than those in the source directory. You cannot use /u with the /a command-line option.
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/?
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Displays help at the command prompt.
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As replace adds or replaces files, the file names are displayed on the screen. After replace is finished, a summary line is displayed in one of the following formats:
nnn files added
nnn files replaced
no file added
no file replaced
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If you are using floppy disks and you need to switch disks during the replace operation, you can specify the /w command-line option so that replace will wait for you to switch the disks.
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You cannot use replace to update hidden files or system files.
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The following table shows each exit code and a brief description of its meaning:
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Exit code
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Description
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0 | The replace command successfully replaced or added the files. |
1 | The replace command encountered an incorrect version of MS-DOS. |
2 | The replace command could not find the source files. |
3 | The replace command could not find the source or destination path. |
5 | The user does not have access to the files that you want to replace. |
8 | There is insufficient system memory to carry out the command. |
11 | The user used the wrong syntax on the command line. |
.gif) Note |
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You can use the ERRORLEVEL parameter on the if command line in a batch program to process exit codes that are returned by replace. |
To update all the versions of a file named Phones.cli (which appear in multiple directories on drive C), with the latest version of the Phones.cli file from a floppy disk in drive A, type:
replace a:\phones.cli c:\ /s