Copy files with Remote Desktop

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 main 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.

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

1. In Remote Desktop , select a computer list in the sidebar of the main window, select one or more computers, then choose Manage > Copy Items.

2. Add files or folders to the “Items to copy” list.

   • Click the 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 the Remove button .

   Repeat this step until all the items you want to copy are in the list.

3. Select your copy options.

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

   For information, see Schedule tasks.

5. Click Copy.

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

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

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

2. In the Finder, locate the item or items you want to copy, then drag the items from the Finder to the client’s screen in the control window.

3. Select your copy options, then click Copy.

You can copy files 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 Remote Desktop , select a computer list in the sidebar of the main window, select one or more computers, then choose a file search report to find the item.

   For information, see Search for files.

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

3. 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.

4. Select your copy options, then click Copy.

You can copy files 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 Remote Desktop , select a computer list in the sidebar of the main window, select one or more computers, then choose Report > File Search or Interact > Spotlight Search.

   For information, see Search for files.

2. Select the item you want to copy in the report window, then select one or more computers in the Remote Desktop window.

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

4. Select your copy options, then click Copy.

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

The Copy Items command doesn’t copy system software that is hidden (not visible in the Finder). You can’t use the Copy Items command to copy macOS system software to client computers.

You can start by creating a disk image that contains the macOS folders and files you want to copy. Alternatively, you can copy files from any local volume or removable storage devices. You can also automate the restoration process, as described in Schedule tasks.

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

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

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

3. In Remote Desktop , select a computer list in the sidebar of the main window, select one or more computers, then choose Manage > Copy Items.

4. Add the master copy volume to the Copy Items list, then 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.