How can I perform a CopyFile in unbuffered mode?
cppdashboard.dev/r/2026/08/how-can-i-perform-a-copy-file-in-unbuffered-modeThis article discusses how to use the CopyFileEx and CopyFile2 functions in Windows to copy files in unbuffered mode by utilizing specific flags. It explains the limitations of changing the buffering flag after a handle is opened and provides code examples for both functions.
From the article
A customer was copying a file with CopyFile , but they wanted the file handles to be opened as FILE_ FLAG_ NO_ BUFFERING .
We saw some time ago that you can use the progress callback to CopyFileEx or CopyFile2 to flush the output handle . Maybe we can use the progress callback to open the handle as unbuffered?
Nope, that doesn’t work because the progress callback gives you the already-opened handle. You can’t change its buffering flag after the fact.
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