NTFS sparse file question

  • Thread starter Thread starter nil_einne1
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nil_einne1

Hey all,

Is there any utility which is able to move or copy sparse files between
NTFS volumes (both v3.1 so they support sparse files) while maintaining
the sparse attribute? I've come across a KB article which appears to
suggest this should happen automatically if both volumes support sparse
files but this is not true. Even copying a sparse file to the same
volume does not preserve the sparse attribute. (Moving it does of
course).

Also, is there any utility capable of converting files which are
'sparse' to NTFS sparse files? In otherwords, files which are fully
allocated including the null bytes into NTFS sparse files. I'm awaere
this will create fragmentation and is not primarily the way sparse
files were intended to be used but it is still a useful feature, even
more so if there is no utility for the above.

Cheers
 
As it turns out, I just thought of, tested and confirmed a solution to
my first question. The answer is Backup! It's an obvious choice, if you
actually remember it exists :-P
 
As it turns out, I just thought of, tested and confirmed a solution to
my first question. The answer is Backup! It's an obvious choice, if you
actually remember it exists :-P
Click to expand...

Of course this also is a solution for copy and moving files through a
network. But in any case, remember you do need at least double the
space of the files you're copying/moving (for the backup files and for
the files after you restore them)
 
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