Do you work on different computers in different locations frequently and have to keep your data up to date on all the computers? FreeFileSync is a program that can help you keep your data synchronized among computers using a USB key or other external drive, allowing you to easily keep your data current.
Download the latest version of FreeFileSync here.
FreeFileSync does not require installation. Just unzip the downloaded file and run FreeFileSync.exe.
FreeFileSync allows you to drag and drop directories onto the interface to select them. To do this, resize and arrange the FreeFileSync window on your desktop such that you can do the same to a Windows Explorer window and be able to see both at once. In Windows Explorer, navigate to the desired directory and drag it to the left side of the FreeFileSync window. Do the same for the right side for the second directory involved in the comparison.
NOTE: You can also select directories using the Browse button on each side of the window.
To select the type of comparison you want, click the blue gear button next to the Compare button. The Comparison Settings dialog box displays. You can choose to compare two directories by File size and date, which is good for backing up files, or by File content, which is useful for consistency checks.
Click one of the radio buttons or one of the big buttons in the Compare by box to select the desired option for comparison. When you make your selection, the dialog box automatically closes. The Help button to the right provides further descriptions of each of the options.
The option selected displays above the Compare button.
Click the Compare button. The files that differ in each directory are displayed on their respective sides. The image below displays an example of the left side.
Once you have selected the directories to be compared, click the green gear button to the left of the Synchronize button to specify the criteria for the synchronization.
The Synchronization settings dialog box displays.
Select a radio button to specify how you want to synchronize your files. If you select Mirror or Update, more option become available on the right side of the dialog box.
Move your mouse over each symbol under Category and each button under Action to view a description of each. To change the action performed for each category, keep clicking the button next to the symbol for that category until you reach the desired action.
If you change one of the Actions, the variant selection changes to Custom. Select one of the other options to reset the actions for the categories.
The Mirror and Update options operate in one direction, left to right. If you want to use one of these options and discover you have placed the directories on the wrong sides, this is easily fixed. Click the Swap button to switch the sides for the directories.
FreeFileSync allows you to specify how it handles the deletion of files during the synchronization process. Select one of the options to specify to where the deleted files should be moved or if they should be deleted permanently during the process.
If you select User-defined directory, use the Browse button to specify the directory.
To specifically include or exclude certain directories or types of files, use the Filter files tab. Click the Activate filter check box to turn on and off the filtering. Use the Hide excluded items check box to hide files that match the rules for files to be excluded.
Click the file cabinet button to the left of the check boxes to set the rules for filtering.
Click the Help button to display hints on specifying your rules.
Click Apply to set your filters. To start the synchronization process, click the Synchronize button.
The Synchronize Preview dialog box displays.
This dialog box shows the number of files affected on each side for each of the types of actions. Click the Start button to begin the synchronization process. A dialog box displays showing you the status of the process and telling you when the process is complete.
The help file that comes with FreeFileSync shows you how to use the more advanced features. You can schedule a batch job to run your backups at specified times and you can back up your files in real time using RealtimeSync, which comes with the latest version of FreeFileSync.
by Lori Kaufman
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