For *ages* I've been pissed of with xcopy.
I've tried countless times to get the /EXCLUDE switch to work.
I've even researched it on the internet once or twice.
Here's the thing, right..
The /EXCLUDE switch expects you to pass it the *path to a file that contains strings that match paths*.
Yep. Just like it says right there in the documentation that I've (allegedly) read countless times:
/EXCLUDE:file1[+file2][+file3]...
Specifies a list of files containing strings. Each string
should be in a separate line in the files. When any of the
strings match any part of the absolute path of the file to be
copied, that file will be excluded from being copied. For
example, specifying a string like \obj\ or .obj will exclude
all files underneath the directory obj or all files with the
.obj extension respectively.
It *does not* expect you to pass it 'a list of strings that match paths'. No amount of trying will help you. It won't take such a list. Trust me. I know.
Grrr. I suppose I should be happy now.