XCopy is a a Windows command tool that is utilized for copying files and directories.

Unlike the simpler "copy" command, "xcopy" offers advanced options such as the ability to preserve file attributes, copy subdirectories, and selectively copy files only if they are newer than their counterparts in the destination. This makes "xcopy" a more versatile and feature-rich tool for efficient file management and backup operations in comparison to the basic "copy" command.

Robocopy is another powerful tool for similar tasks, it is not the answer here because the question specifically highlights the capabilities that xcopy has been known for since older versions of Windows, making it more historically entrenched as the go-to command for these operations.