Copy files

Copy files

You can copy any files except system software to one or more client computers.

Copying files works fastest with a small number of files. For example, copying ten files that are 10 KB each takes longer than one file that’s 100 KB. For faster copying, copy a single file archive (like a .zip file) to remote computers. Remember that OS X apps are bundles of many smaller files. Although the app you want to copy looks like a single file in the Finder, it may contain hundreds or even thousands of smaller files.

If a client computer is asleep when you attempt to copy items, you must use Remote Desktop to wake the target computer, and then copy the items.

Copy from the administrator to clients

You can copy items to any number of client computers simultaneously.

  1. In the Remote Desktop window, select a computer list, then select one or more computers.

  2. Choose Manage > Copy Items.

  3. Add files or folders to the “Items to copy” list. You can also copy apps.

    • Click Add Add button to browse local volumes for items to copy, or drag files and folders to the list.

    • If you want to remove an item from the list, select the item, then click Remove Remove button.

    Repeat this step until all the software you want to copy is in the list.

  4. Select your copy options.

  5. If you want to schedule this event for another time, or set it to repeat, click the Schedule button.

    For information, see Schedule tasks.

  6. Click Copy.

    The software is copied to the indicated destination. If the copy is unsuccessful, an error message appears in the task feedback window.

Copy from the Finder to a client

You can copy files, apps, or folders directly from the Finder on your administrator computer to a control window.

  1. In the Remote Desktop window, select a computer list, then select one or more computers.

  2. In the Finder, locate the item or items you want to copy.

  3. Drag the items from the Finder to the client’s screen in the control window.

  4. Select your copy options.

  5. Click Copy.

Copy from a client to the Finder

You can copy files, apps, or folders from a remote computer to the administrator’s computer.

To copy a file, you must find it by using a report or locating it in a control window. Alternatively, you can drag items from a control window to the administrator computer’s desktop. Copied items keep their original owners and permissions.

  1. In the Remote Desktop window, select a computer list, then select one or more computers.

  2. Choose a file search report to find the item.

    For information, see Search for files.

  3. Select the item you want to copy in the report window.

  4. Drag the item from the report window to the administrator’s Finder, or click the Copy To This Computer button at the top of the report window.

  5. Select your copy options.

  6. Click Copy.

Copy from a client to a client

You can copy files, apps, or folders between remote computers.

To copy a file, you must find it using a report, and then select a target computer or list to receive the file.

  1. In the Remote Desktop window, select a computer list, then select one or more computers.

  2. Choose Report > File Search or Interact > Spotlight Search.

    For information, see Search for files.

  3. Select the item you want to copy in the report window.

  4. Select one or more computers in the Remote Desktop window.

  5. Drag the item you want to copy from the File Search report window to the selected clients in the Remote Desktop window.

  6. Select your copy options.

  7. Click Copy.

Restore items from a master copy

You can use the Copy Items command to restore non-system software on client computers using a master copy. This is helpful to make sure each client computer has the same software.

The Copy Items command doesn’t copy system software that is hidden (not visible in the Finder). It can copy the Applications folder, Library folder, and Users folder, as well as any folders that were created by the computer’s administrator user at the root of any volume. You can’t use the Copy Items command to copy OS X system software to client computers.

You can start by creating a disk image that contains the OS X apps and items you want to copy. Alternatively, you can copy files from any local volume, such as a USB drive, mounted partition, or other storage device. You can also automate the software restoration process, as described in Schedule tasks.

  1. Make a master copy of the volume that has the files to be restored.

    You can use any volume, such as a USB drive, mounted partition, or other storage device.

  2. Mount the master copy volume on the administrator computer.

    Master copy volumes must be local volumes, not mounted over a network.

  3. Open Remote Desktop.

  4. In the Remote Desktop window, select a computer list, then select one or more computers.

  5. Choose Manage > Copy Items.

  6. Add the master copy volume to the Copy Items list.

  7. Select your copy options.

  8. If you want to schedule this event for another time or set it to repeat, click the Schedule button.

    For information, see Schedule tasks.

  9. Click Copy.

Copy using drag and drop

You can copy items by dragging them between Finder windows on your administrator computer, the Remote Desktop window, and control windows.

This can be good way to collect or distribute files between remote computers.

  • Drag an item from a Finder window to a selected computer in the Remote Desktop window or in a control window.

    When dragging items to or from a control window, you need to consider the following:

    • The logged-in user must have write permissions in the location where items are being added.

    • If an item with the same name already exist in the location you’re copying an item, the item is copied and renamed with an appended number at the end.

    • Items copied are shown in the File Transfer window, and not logged as a task in History.

    Copied items keep their original owners and permissions.