is the copying a virus on hard disk the same of executing it ?

hi, as said in the title I'd like to know if copying a virus/malware, or just an infected file, is the same of executing it.

 

No. It is spreading it instead

 

Maybe I didn't correctly explain the "problem", If I make a backup of some important files, 30-40GB but I don't notice a virus/infected file among the other ones, can this virus/file execute its code if I only copy it without opening it.

 

not unless it uses some sort of unpatched vulnerability, like the .lnk exploit... but I guess technically, its still being executed. Copying an infected file is not going to do anything. Until its executed, it is completely inert.

 

thanks a lot to both of you !!