How to Copy a Folder with Files to Another Folder in Unix Linux

Unix/Linux is a popular operating system known for its stability, security, and versatility.

It is widely used in various industries, from small businesses to large corporations.

One of the key features of Unix/Linux is its ability to manipulate and manage files and directories.

In this article, we will discuss how to copy a folder with its files to another folder in Unix/Linux.


Before diving into the process, it is important to understand the different methods available in Unix/Linux to copy files and directories.

The most common method is the ‘cp’ command.

The ‘cp’ command allows you to copy files and directories from one location to another.

The basic syntax of the ‘cp’ command is:

cp [options] source destination

Where ‘source’ is the file or directory you want to copy, and ‘destination’ is the location where you want to copy the file or directory.

The ‘options’ field allows you to specify various options for the ‘cp’ command.

To copy a folder with its files to another folder in Unix/Linux, you need to use the ‘-r’ option.

The ‘-r’ option stands for ‘recursive’ and tells the ‘cp’ command to copy the contents of the folder, including all its subdirectories and files.

Here is an example of how to copy a folder with its files to another folder in Unix/Linux:

cp -r source_folder destination_folder

In this example, the ‘source_folder’ is the folder you want to copy, and the ‘destination_folder’ is the location where you want to copy the folder.

The ‘-r’ option ensures that all the contents of the ‘source_folder’, including its subdirectories and files, will be copied to the ‘destination_folder’.

It is important to note that the ‘destination_folder’ should already exist.

If the ‘destination_folder’ does not exist, the ‘cp’ command will copy the ‘source_folder’ as a file with the same name as the ‘source_folder’, instead of copying its contents to a new folder.

In conclusion, the ‘cp’ command is a versatile and powerful tool for copying files and directories in Unix/Linux.

By using the ‘-r’ option, you can easily copy a folder with its files to another folder in Unix/Linux.

Whether you are a beginner or an advanced user, understanding how to use the ‘cp’ command is a fundamental skill for managing files and directories in Unix/Linux.