The -s and -r operations can operate on a single profile archives, which is called file-based mode. They can also operate on a directory of profile archives, which is called path-based mode. This operation mode is determined from the path that is specified as the next argument, ​–s \\​...\ie.zip as compared to –s \\...\...\Archives for instance. If no path is specified, the profile archives policy setting is used.

For a particular operation mode, some of the other arguments must follow the same pattern:

  • For file-based operation mode:
    • The -i argument must be a Flex configuration file.
    • The -r/-s argument must be a profile archive file.
    • The -b argument must also be a file.
  • For path-based operation mode:
    • The -i, -r/-s, and -b arguments must all refer to directories.