| Tool | Type | Key advantage | |------|------|----------------| | | Built into Windows | Multithreaded ( /mt ), logs, retry, robust. | | TeraCopy | Free + Pro | GUI, verify, integrate with Explorer. | | FastCopy | Free | Very fast on Windows, open source. | | FreeFileSync | Free | Compare folders, sync, graphical. |
Microsoft RichCopy 4.0, specifically build 4.0.217, emerged as the solution to these bottlenecks. Originally developed by Ken Hironaka of Microsoft as an internal tool, it was eventually released to the public via the Microsoft Technet galleries. Its primary selling point—and the reason it is often deemed the "best"—is its ability to utilize .
The designation "40 217" seems to indicate a specific build or version of RichCopy. Software versioning can sometimes include detailed build numbers.
Unlike standard Windows Explorer or older versions of RoboCopy that copy files sequentially, RichCopy can open multiple threads simultaneously to copy files in parallel.
Because Microsoft has removed the tool from its official Download Center, you must rely on archives or reputable mirrors. Internet Archive (Wayback Machine): This is the safest way to find the original Hoffman Utility Spotlight 2009 link that previously hosted the installer. Third-Party Tech Sites: Sites like Download.it still host the executable. Why Use RichCopy 4.0.217? Multithreaded Performance: