How to Fix 0x00000057 Error – Robocopy: ERROR 87 (0x00000057) Time-Stamping Destination Directory

The ERROR 87 (0x00000057) Time-Stamping Destination Directory error occurs when Robocopy is unable to determine the correct timestamp for the destination directory. This issue affects users who are using Robocopy to copy files from a source directory to a destination directory.

This error can be frustrating as it prevents the successful completion of the Robocopy command, resulting in incomplete or corrupted data copies. In this guide, we will walk you through the possible causes and provide two primary fix methods to resolve this issue.

⚠️ Common Causes

• The first main reason for this error is that the destination directory does not have a valid timestamp. When Robocopy attempts to copy files from the source directory to the destination directory, it relies on the destination directory's timestamp to determine the correct order of file copying. If the destination directory lacks a valid timestamp, Robocopy will throw an ERROR 87 (0x00000057) Time-Stamping Destination Directory error.
• An alternative reason for this error is that the source directory path contains special characters or spaces, which can cause issues with the Robocopy command. When the source directory path is not properly formatted, it may lead to incorrect timestamping and result in the ERROR 87 (0x00000057) Time-Stamping Destination Directory error.

✅ Best Solutions to Fix It

🎯 Final Words

To summarize, the ERROR 87 (0x00000057) Time-Stamping Destination Directory error can be resolved by either using the /MIR option to initiate a mirror copy operation or correcting the source directory path to remove any special characters or spaces. By following these steps, you should be able to successfully complete your Robocopy command and avoid this frustrating error.