Fact-checked by Grok 2 weeks ago

TeraCopy

TeraCopy is a designed for Windows, developed by Code Sector as an alternative to the operating system's native file copying and moving functions, with a primary focus on enhancing transfer speed, reliability, and . It allows users to skip problematic files during transfers, automatically retry failed operations, and verify copied files using multiple algorithms such as CRC32, , , and BLAKE3 to ensure accuracy and detect corruption. Key features include the ability to pause and resume transfers, multiple operations, copy locked files via Windows Volume service, and integrate seamlessly with Windows Explorer for context menu access. Code Sector, an software development company founded in 1999, created TeraCopy to address limitations in Windows' default file handling, such as vulnerability to interruptions and lack of verification tools. First released around 2007, the program gained recognition for its robustness, earning awards like Lifehacker's Hive Five in 2009 as the best alternative to the default Windows copy handler. Available in free and Pro versions, TeraCopy supports through 11 and editions, with the Pro edition offering additional capabilities like multi-threading for faster parallel transfers, editable file lists, and commercial licensing for business use.

Overview

Purpose and functionality

TeraCopy is a file transfer utility for Microsoft Windows, designed to improve upon the native file copying and moving processes by emphasizing data integrity, transfer reliability, the ability to pause and resume operations, and robust error recovery mechanisms. Unlike the standard Windows Explorer, which performs basic copies without verifying file completeness or handling errors gracefully, TeraCopy integrates seamlessly as a replacement handler to mitigate risks like data corruption or incomplete transfers during interruptions. This focus addresses frequent issues in Windows environments, where power outages, network glitches, or disk errors can lead to failed operations that require manual restarts from the beginning. The utility's core purpose is to streamline large-scale file management tasks, particularly for users dealing with extensive sets, by enabling more secure and efficient transfers. It allows to multiple tasks, pause ongoing copies for later resumption, and automatically retry failed segments without intervention, thereby reducing and potential . In contrast to Windows Explorer's limitations—such as the absence of post-copy and minimal progress feedback—TeraCopy provides detailed logging and interactive controls to monitor and manage transfers effectively. Key design goals of TeraCopy include accelerating transfer speeds for large files and folders through optimized buffering and multi-threading, skipping problematic files to prevent total operation halts, and delivering progress monitoring via speed graphs, estimated completion times, and status notifications. These features make it particularly valuable for environments requiring high reliability, such as backups or migrations across drives. The initial for TeraCopy originated in 2007, specifically to tackle prevalent file copy failures in Windows, including unreliable handling of bad sectors and abrupt terminations.

Developer and licensing

TeraCopy is developed by Code Sector, a software company founded in 1999 with the primary goal of creating applications for personal and small-business use on Microsoft Windows. The company specializes in utility software designed to enhance user productivity, and TeraCopy represents one of its flagship products, focusing on improving file management tasks within the Windows ecosystem. TeraCopy operates under a freemium licensing model, offering a free version for non-commercial, personal use that includes core features such as accelerated file copying, error recovery, and integrity verification via checksums. For commercial applications and advanced capabilities, the Pro version is available, which unlocks additional tools like interactive file selection lists, exportable copy reports, and enhanced multi-threading options for parallel operations. The Pro is priced at a one-time fee of $29.95 as of 2025, providing lifetime access with free updates, and users can these features by downloading the free version and applying a for upgrade. Code Sector supports an open development approach for TeraCopy through its official , where detailed changelogs, announcements, and release candidate updates are posted regularly, enabling community members to offer feedback that influences ongoing improvements.

Features

Core copying and moving capabilities

TeraCopy enhances efficiency through optimized buffering techniques that facilitate faster sequential reads and writes, particularly for large datasets. It allocates adjustable blocks per thread, allowing users to increase sizes for improved when transferring data between high-speed drives such as SSDs. This approach minimizes disk seek times by dynamically managing allocation during the copy , resulting in reduced overhead compared to standard Windows file operations. The software supports pause and resume functionality for interrupted transfers, preserving the queue state to enable seamless continuation without restarting from the beginning. Users can halt ongoing copy or move operations at any time—such as during system maintenance or resource constraints—and resume them later by reloading the saved file list, maintaining the exact position in the transfer queue. This feature is especially useful for long-running tasks involving substantial data volumes. TeraCopy implements multi-threaded queuing to handle multiple copy or move operations concurrently, processing files in rather than sequentially. In the Pro edition, advanced multi-threading utilizes more than two threads, enabling efficient distribution of workloads across system resources for quicker overall completion of batched transfers. The queue system allows adding numerous files or folders via drag-and-drop or selection tools, executing them in an organized manner while prioritizing stability. For moving files across different drives, TeraCopy performs the operation by copying the files to the destination and then immediately deleting the source files after a successful copy and optional checksum verification to ensure integrity, thereby ensuring completeness before removal. This method avoids the inefficiencies of in-place renames used within the same drive, providing a reliable cross-volume relocation process. Additionally, TeraCopy addresses challenges with locked files by leveraging the Windows Volume Shadow Copy service, which creates temporary snapshots to allow access and transfer of files in use by other applications without interruption. During transfers, if transient errors arise, TeraCopy incorporates basic recovery by permitting skips with deferred retries, though advanced is handled separately.

Verification and error handling

TeraCopy ensures file integrity during transfers by verifying the accuracy of copied data through comparisons. After completing a copy operation, the software calculates hashes for both source and destination files and compares them to confirm that the files are identical, thereby minimizing the risk of undetected corruption. This process supports 17 algorithms, including over 50 variations such as CRC32, , , SHA-256, SHA-512, BLAKE3, and xxHash3, allowing users to select the most appropriate method based on needs or requirements. In terms of error handling, TeraCopy automatically skips problematic files during transfers without halting the entire , providing user notifications through its to alert about issues encountered. The software maintains an interactive file list that functions as a detailed , displaying filenames, sizes, checksums, and specific for real-time monitoring and post-transfer review. Users can then selectively retry only the failed or skipped files, streamlining recovery without reprocessing successful transfers. TeraCopy addresses common error types such as permission issues, disk space shortages, and network interruptions by implementing targeted responses: it skips files affected by permissions or insufficient space while logging the details, and for network-related disruptions, it waits for reconnection before resuming attempts. This approach enhances reliability in unattended operations, reducing manual intervention while preserving data accuracy across diverse scenarios.

Integration and additional utilities

TeraCopy integrates seamlessly with the by replacing the default copy and move dialogs in Windows Explorer, allowing users to initiate transfers directly from the Explorer context menu or drag-and-drop operations. This integration includes an optional confirmation dialog for drag-and-drop actions to prevent accidental transfers, enhancing user control during file operations. During these integrated operations, TeraCopy can perform using algorithms such as , , and to ensure without interrupting the workflow. The software also supports integration with third-party file managers, notably , through configurable buttons added to the toolbar for initiating copy and move operations. This allows users of advanced file managers to leverage TeraCopy's engine within their preferred interface, maintaining compatibility across different environments. Among its additional utilities, TeraCopy provides a permanent feature in the free version, which securely wipes files by overwriting them with random data to prevent recovery. It preserves such as date timestamps, alternate data streams, and permissions during copies, with options to customize which attributes are retained or ignored. The Pro version extends this by enabling the export of file lists in formats like and for documentation or auditing purposes. The Pro edition further includes tools for editing file lists before transfers, applying ignore lists to exclude specific files, and managing favorite folders for repeated operations. It supports commercial licensing for enterprise use, allowing deployment in professional settings without restrictions. Users can customize settings for sizes, which determine allocation per for transfers, and fine-tune handling to optimize performance based on hardware and network conditions.

Development history

Initial release and early versions

TeraCopy was initially released on May 16, 2007, by Code Sector as a intended to replace the default Windows file copy handler, offering improved reliability for file transfers on systems like and . The software's early development addressed key shortcomings in the native Windows Explorer copying process, including the lack of pause and resume options, vulnerability to crashes on encountering errors, and inefficient handling of large or numerous files, which often resulted in incomplete transfers. Among its foundational features, initial versions included basic of copied files using CRC32 checksums to detect potential from issues or transfer errors. Shell integration, enabling seamless replacement of Explorer's copy and move dialogs, debuted in the TeraCopy 2.0 during 2008. testing for version 2.0 occurred via posts on the Code Sector blog starting in late and continuing through 2008, incorporating community suggestions on optimizations such as dynamic buffering to minimize seek times and enhance performance. The stable TeraCopy 2.0 launched in June 2009, marking the introduction of a Pro edition with premium features like advanced scripting and export options tailored for professional workflows. Version 2.27, released in November 2011, further bolstered commercial functionality through additions like selective file removal during multi-operation transfers, configurable retry mechanisms for failed deletes, and enhanced tray notifications for monitoring. These early iterations laid the groundwork for subsequent major updates, including the shift to version 3 in the mid-2010s.

Major updates and current version

Version 3.0, released on February 23, 2017, marked a significant advancement in TeraCopy's by introducing support for an unlimited number of files through on-disk storage of the file list, enabling interactive scrolling, filtering, and management of large transfer queues without memory constraints. This version also expanded checksum verification options to include SHA-256 and SHA-512 alongside traditional and , enhancing integrity checks for high-volume transfers. Additionally, it improved overall copying speed, particularly for network locations and small files, by implementing immediate start times, elevated service-based copying, and automatic folder creation during operations. The 3.5 beta series, beginning in August 2020, focused on modern UI adaptations, including automatic dark theme support for and later, which extended compatibility to early previews through improved theme detection and window management options. These betas also enhanced error logging and handling, providing more detailed reports on transfer interruptions and recovery attempts to aid in complex environments. By November 2020, the stable 3.5 release solidified these changes, ensuring seamless integration with evolving Windows interfaces. TeraCopy 3.17, released on December 3, 2023, finalized compatibility with Windows Server 2025 alongside ongoing support for through 11 and earlier servers from 2003, addressing potential issues in enterprise deployments. This update introduced the Clone & Rescan feature for efficient re-verification of existing transfers, added xxHash support optimized for processors, and fixed bugs related to multi-target file moves, improving reliability for operations involving multiple destinations. It also upgraded export capabilities and increased the default to 256 MB for better with large datasets. As of November 2025, the current version is TeraCopy 4.0 Release Candidate 2, released on September 4, 2025, which builds on prior advancements with a queue system for managing concurrent copy operations and enhanced integration into the modern Windows Explorer menu. This release candidate incorporates multi-target file moving capabilities, first previewed in January 2025 betas, allowing simultaneous transfers to diverse locations, and continues support for xxHash3 hashing introduced in version 3.10 for rapid, secure verification. Version 4 represents a shift to a fully 64-bit architecture, optimizing large-file handling and memory efficiency on Windows 10 and later systems, including Server 2016 through 2025.

Reception

Critical reviews

TeraCopy has received generally from technology reviewers for its reliability during large s, often outperforming Windows Explorer in and error recovery. In tests involving 100 datasets, it maintained steady speeds of approximately 45 /s, compared to Windows 11's variable rates dipping as low as 5 /s, potentially saving users hours on terabyte-scale operations like backups or media libraries. Reviewers have highlighted its ability to pause and resume interrupted s—such as those caused by device disconnections—while verifying integrity through comparisons, making it particularly suitable for external drives and locations. A user comment on a blog post reported successfully transferring 11.5 TB overnight without corruption, thanks to features like automatic error detection and retry mechanisms. Critics have pointed out limitations in the free version, which restricts access to advanced features like interactive file lists and favorite folder presets, available only in the $29.95 edition. The has been described as complex and less intuitive than native Windows tools, requiring multiple steps to configure sources, destinations, and options, which can present a for casual users despite seamless . Some reviewers question the value of upgrading to , arguing that the free tier suffices for most individual needs, though it lacks the depth for highly customized workflows. User ratings reflect strong approval among power users, with an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars on the based on 25 reviews as of 2025, praising its speed and security enhancements. Overall, professional evaluations commend TeraCopy as a robust alternative to default file handling, though it may not suit users seeking simple, drag-and-drop operations.

Awards and adoption

TeraCopy has received notable recognition in the tech community, including winning Lifehacker's Hive Five poll in 2009 as the best alternative to the default Windows file copier. The software's reliability and efficiency have also led to features in contemporary tech content, such as a 2025 video from a popular channel dubbing it "the best application you've never heard of." In terms of adoption, TeraCopy is utilized in digital preservation efforts, including being listed in the U.S. Department of ' Technical Reference Model as a file copying utility, subject to compliance with VA security policies and standards. It is also recommended in the Digital Preservation Handbook as a utility for copying or moving with built-in to ensure . Among IT professionals, TeraCopy enjoys popularity for tasks like server migrations, where its speed and error recovery features facilitate large-scale operations on environments. Enterprise integration is supported through the Pro version, which offers site licenses and compatibility with deployment tools like . A specific endorsement came in a 2024 video from Digikive, which highlighted TeraCopy for archival copying and emphasized its capabilities to support long-term storage reliability. This praise aligns with broader critical acclaim for its processes, contributing to its sustained use in professional settings.

References

  1. [1]
    TeraCopy for Windows - Code Sector
    TeraCopy is a nifty piece of freeware that improves the Windows copy/move function and adds useful extras like checksum calculation and permanent delete.Downloads · TeraCopy · TeraCopy 4 Beta · Purchase
  2. [2]
    About Code Sector
    Our latest Windows-based application, TeraCopy, was the winner of Lifehacker's Hive Five for best alternatives to the default Windows copy handler. In 2009, we ...Missing: developer | Show results with:developer
  3. [3]
    The Power of TeraCopy as a File Manager for Large Data Transfers
    Feb 18, 2024 · TeraCopy is an efficient file copying and transferring software, originally developed by Code Sector. Its history dates back to around 2007.
  4. [4]
    Downloads - Code Sector
    TeraCopy 3.17, Windows 7 – Windows 11. Windows Server 2003 – 2025, 10 MB ; TeraCopy 4.0 Release Candidate 2, Windows 10 – Windows 11. Windows Server 2016 – 2025 ...TeraCopy · TeraCopy 4 Beta · Code Sector Blog · Direct Folders<|control11|><|separator|>
  5. [5]
    Features of TeraCopy Pro - Code Sector Help Center
    TeraCopy Pro can be used commercially, making it suitable for businesses and organizations. Advanced multi-threading: Utilize more than 2 threads for parallel ...
  6. [6]
    Tool Demo: Teracopy - Digital Preservation Handbook
    Teracopy is “file transfer utility”, a tool for copying or moving digital content, that provides an alternative to the built-in (and more limited) functionality ...<|control11|><|separator|>
  7. [7]
    TeraCopy 3.5 Beta first look - gHacks Tech News
    Aug 8, 2020 · The developer of TeraCopy released the first beta version of TeraCopy 3.5 to the public this week. The new version introduces several new ...
  8. [8]
    TeraCopy Download (2025 Latest) - FileHorse
    Dec 5, 2024 · SuperCopier - This is another open-source file-copying utility that provides a similar feature set to this app. Pricing TeraCopy Pro - $29.95.
  9. [9]
    TeraCopy - Code Sector Blog
    Sep 4, 2025 · – Added queue system for managing multiple copy operations. – TeraCopy entry in modern Explorer menu. – Enhanced support for handling extra long ...
  10. [10]
    Options Tab | Code Sector Help Center
    The number of blocks sets the buffers allocated per thread. Increasing the buffer size can improve performance when copying between high-speed drives, while ...Missing: techniques | Show results with:techniques
  11. [11]
    Copying and Verifying Files | Code Sector Help Center
    File Copy Process ... You can pause and even stop the file transfer if needed, such as for a reboot. Simply restart TeraCopy later, open the last file list, and ...Missing: functionality | Show results with:functionality
  12. [12]
    Upcoming TeraCopy 3 features - Code Sector Blog
    Dec 12, 2014 · Copying using Volume Shadow Service is ready. Used usually in backup applications, it allows you to copy files locked by other applications.
  13. [13]
    TeraCopy Integration - Total Commander - ghisler.ch
    Apr 27, 2011 · Use buttons in the Total Commander button bar. Click on "Add buttons" in the TeraCopy configuration window to integrate buttons to the Total Commander.TeraCopy Integration
  14. [14]
    Old versions of TeraCopy
    Jan 9, 2020 · Date Released: 16 May 2007. File Size: 17.90 MB Publisher: Code Sector ... Versions: 1.0 – 3.26. Last Updated: March 27, 2020. TeraCopy is a ...
  15. [15]
    [Utility] TeraCopy removes the file copy pain from Windows Vista
    May 2, 2008 · TeraCopy-More. The latest official release of TeraCopy is 1.22, although there is a TeraCopy 2 beta release available which adds some nice ...Missing: initial | Show results with:initial
  16. [16]
    TeraCopy 2.0 beta 3 - Code Sector Blog
    Mar 5, 2008 · In v1, it was possible to set up the cache directly from the GUI, this is gone in V2 and you have to manually do it in the INI file, not very ...Missing: initial | Show results with:initial
  17. [17]
    TeraCopy 2.0 beta - Code Sector Blog
    Nov 27, 2007 · When I start Teracopy (both the official release and the latest beta) it crashes straight away. My machine is Intel Core 2 Duo 6700, 2GB ...Missing: initial | Show results with:initial
  18. [18]
    Speed Up Files Copying and Moving Process with TeraCopy ...
    Speed Up Files Copying and Moving Process with TeraCopy Version 2.0 Beta 3. Share Tweet Pin Mail SMS ... TeraCopy uses dynamically adjusted buffers to reduce seek ...
  19. [19]
    Download Old Versions of Tera Copy for Windows - OldVersion.com
    Most Popular Version: Tera Copy 2.12 - 2,559 Downloads. Tera Copy Latest Version. Tera Copy 2.30 (Beta 2) · Download Now. Released: Dec 30, 2012; Size: 2.78 MB.
  20. [20]
    TeraCopy 2.0 - Code Sector Blog
    Jun 23, 2009 · Version 2 is finally released. Version 2.01: Click on the star or on the empty space to add a favorite folder. TeraCopy Links This use this ...
  21. [21]
    TeraCopy 2.27 - Code Sector Blog
    Nov 18, 2011 · This feature is for detecting bad copies (hardware errors during copy or bad disk sectors). The OS, RAR, and ZIP use CRC32 to detect modified ...
  22. [22]
    TeraCopy 3.0 - Code Sector Blog
    Feb 23, 2017 · TeraCopy 3.0 supports unlimited files, uses disk storage, copies with elevated service, creates folders, queues transfers, and has better ...
  23. [23]
    TeraCopy 3 RC 2 - Code Sector Blog
    Feb 1, 2017 · Changelog: 0000026: [Engine] Implement faster Hash Algorithm: xxHash 0000028: [Engine] Better handling of reading errors in TeraCopy service
  24. [24]
    TeraCopy 3.5 beta - Code Sector Blog
    Aug 8, 2020 · Changelog: Note: a newer version is now available. Windows 10 version 1809 or higher is required for switching to dark theme automatically.
  25. [25]
    TeraCopy 3.5 beta 2 - Code Sector Blog
    Aug 15, 2020 · Changelog: Window mode options for startup and finish. Minor bug fixes. Note: a newer version is now available.
  26. [26]
    Windows File Copy tool TeraCopy 3.5 is out - gHacks Tech News
    Rating 4.5 (7) Nov 19, 2020 · TeraCopy 3.5 Final is now available. TeraCopy is an advanced file transfer tool for Microsoft Windows and Mac devices that Tobey mentioned in 2007 for the ...
  27. [27]
    TeraCopy 3.17 - Code Sector Blog
    Dec 3, 2023 · Changelog: Clone & Rescan feature. Added xxHash support for SSE2 processors. Upgraded reporting and checksum export features.
  28. [28]
    TeraCopy 4 RC 2 - Code Sector Blog
    Sep 4, 2025 · Changelog: Added queue system for managing multiple copy operations. TeraCopy entry in modern Explorer menu. Enhanced support for handling ...
  29. [29]
    TeraCopy 4 Beta 2 - Code Sector Blog
    Jan 10, 2025 · Changelog: Introduced file-moving feature with multi-target support. Show the current file name in the progress panel for single-threaded tasks.
  30. [30]
    Why TeraCopy Remains Essential for File Transfers in Windows 2025
    Jun 15, 2025 · TeraCopy does offer a Pro edition, currently listed at $29.95, but for the vast majority of users, it's hard to justify the extra spend. The ...
  31. [31]
    Here's why I keep coming back to TeraCopy if I need to transfer files ...
    Apr 16, 2025 · TeraCopy's trick to transfer files faster is that it dynamically adjusts block sizes and leverages asynchronous copying routines.
  32. [32]
    TeraCopy 3.0 Final is out - gHacks Tech News
    Rating 3.5 (23) Feb 24, 2017 · Teracopy keeps on going and skips the problem file, allowing you to deal with it later. Clairvaux said on February 25, 2017 at 6:54 am.
  33. [33]
    TeraCopy for Windows - Free download and software reviews
    Aug 7, 2025 · A great tool for file management. Ultimately, TeraCopy is a reliable and feature-rich program that significantly improves the file transfer ...
  34. [34]
    TeraCopy - Download and install on Windows - Microsoft Store
    TeraCopy is a utility designed to copy files faster and more securely. It can verify copied files to ensure they are identical. TeraCopy also skips bad files.
  35. [35]
    Hive Five Winner for Best Alternative File Copier: TeraCopy
    Jun 9, 2009 · Hive Five Winner for Best Alternative File Copier: TeraCopy. Jason Fitzpatrick. June 9, 2009 ... Lifehacker has been a go-to source of tech help ...
  36. [36]
    TeraCopy: The Best Application You've Never Heard Of - YouTube
    Oct 11, 2025 · ... TeraCopy, or affiliated with any parties related to the ... The Last Official Way to Skip a Microsoft Account. ThioJoe•211K views.
  37. [37]
    TeraCopy - VA.gov
    Description: TeraCopy is a software designed to be used to move or copy computer files. As an alternative to the native copy operations within Windows, it ...
  38. [38]
    How to Use TeraCopy on Windows Server - AOMEI
    Jun 20, 2025 · Does TeraCopy delete files? No. TeraCopy doesn't delete files during copy operations unless you explicitly choose the Move function. Even ...
  39. [39]
    Purchase - Code Sector
    How to order ; TeraCopy Pro & Direct Folders Pro, $39.95, Buy ; Google Pay is available on the Chrome and Brave browsers.
  40. [40]
    Deploy TeraCopy Using Microsoft Intune - YouTube
    Jun 10, 2025 · Deploy TeraCopy Using Microsoft Intune. 40 views · 4 months ago ...more. IntuneMDM. 2.07K. Subscribe. 1. Share. Save. Report ...Missing: Pro licenses enterprise
  41. [41]
    Getting Started with Digital Preservation: Teracopy - YouTube
    Oct 25, 2024 · In this short video Karyn Williamson, Digikive, will explore using Teracopy, a useful tool for moving or copying your digital files.