Are you facing xcopy invalid number of parameters error while trying to copy a system file from one directory to another?

It works when one ran the below command- 

xcopy X:\ “Y:\…\bin\9876543210\” /c /g /d /i /e /r /h /y

But it couldn’t work and released the message- ‘Invalid number of parameters’ when he ran the below command-

xcopy X:\ “Y:\…\bin\9876543210\” /c /g /d /i /e /r /h /y /exclude:”Y:\…\exclude.txt”

So, the question is, how can you solve the error?  Here, I will discuss the issue based on a real-life problem taken from the community.

Reason Behind the Error

Before jumping into the solution, I include the reason behind the error occurring. Here the ‘\exclude’ parameters are responsible for the error. However, the error is solvable. 

What to Do With Xcopy Invalid Number of Parameters Error

You may try many fixes to resolve the error. Here I will include three fixes. You can try them for the related error discussed in this article. The fixes are-

• Fix 1: Use 8.3 Filename
• Fix 2: Use the SUBST Command
• Fix 3: Use the PUSHD Command

Fix 1: Use 8.3 Filename

You can use the 8.3 filenames for the system file you want to copy from one directory to another through the ‘xcopy’ command. The short 8.3 folder name might help you to recover from the discussed problem. 

However, if it doesn’t, you can follow the next one. 

Fix 2: Use the SUBST Command

The below command may relieve you from the error you face while running the ‘xcopy’ command. The process will create a drive alias for the troublesome path.

To do so, copy the below command and paste it into the Command Prompt window. Here are the steps to follow –

Step 1: Press the Windows button and type cmd on the Windows Search bar.

Step 2: Click “Run as Administrator” to open the command prompt as Administrator.

Step 3: Type and enter the command below to solve the error –

• subst Q: “Y:\path with spaces”
• xcopy X:\ “Y:\…\bin\9876543210\” /c /g /d /i /e /r /h /y /exclude:Q:exclude.txt
• subst Q: /d

If you still get the invalid message, you will have the last option to solve the error.

Fix 3: Use the PUSHD Command

As a last try, you can apply the below type command to resolve the error you have faced.

Step 1: Open the command prompt as Administrator as instructed previously.

Step 2: Type the commands below on the command prompt and hit enter after each command –

• pushd “Y:\path with spaces”
• xcopy X:\ “Y:\…\bin\9876543210\” /c /g /d /i /e /r /h /y /exclude:exclude.txt
• popd

Hopefully you won’t encounter the “Xcopy Invalid Number of Parameters” error after executing it.

Final Words

Hopefully, the xcopy command will work. Now, you can copy the system file from one directory to another without facing the xcopy invalid number of parameters error. If you still facing any issues regarding this topic, don’t hesitate to ask in our comment section below and we’ll try to reach you asap.