SyncFolders (freebie)

I image C drive on every Wednesday & Saturday. The only problem with that arrangement is that, when I somehow need to restore an older image, the data files on that image don't include any of the changes made subsequent to the date of that image file. Ergo, I decided to do a separate back-up of just my data files at the end of each day's work. So I began looking for a File Synchronization app.

I downloaded several file synchronization apps -- most of them were paid & a few were free. I gave them each a trial while my computer was in Shadow Defender mode (somewhat similar to virtual).

I hate reading instructions so I lean toward apps where the GUI holds my hand and walks me through every step of the process. Of all the ones I tried, the easiest, most efficient one was SyncFolders. As it happened, SyncFolders is a free app whereas I am a strong believer that "the worker is worthy of his pay." So I donated about the same amount as the "reasonably priced" paid versions were asking. I used PayPal because the developers of SynFolders are in the Netherlands & the donations click spot wants Euros currency.

When you float the cursor over each icon on the app's GUI, it tells you what it does when you click it. There is an icon to "Make a Rule (a "rule" tells SyncFolders what files you want synchronized and how you want it done).

There is another icon for "Edit a Rule" and another for "Copy a Rule" and another for "Delete a Rule" etc etc -- splendidly simple!

Once you click "Make a Rule" the app walks you through each step of the process. This is mainly done by offering you click buttons for selecting among various options. When you click one of the options, the app gives you a pop-up that tells you what it does. The pop-up also explains conditions where it should be applied and conditions where it should NOT be applied. In short, SyncFolders is "an app designed by geniuses for execution by lazy novices."

If you need such an app & want to give SyncFolders a try, get it HERE. It has both an install version and a portable version (I use the portable).

If you want screenshots of the app, that website has lots of them, right on page 1. It's very easy to find the Download for SyncFolder's install version. However, the location of the PORTABLE version is buried in a paragraph of verbiage. You can dig through the verbiage if you want BUT -- I'll be a nice guy and give you the portable's URL right now...

Code:

http://www.syncfolders.elementfx.com/setupfile/SyncFoldersPortable.zip

If you decide to give SyncFolders a trial, please let me know what you think of it. OR -- if you know a file synchronizer that is even easier than SyncFolders, please let me know that, too.

 

Nice thank u ,bellgamin
Its worth a look,

 

In the past I used Bvckup2 which I think it's excellent https://bvckup2.com/
I had a free beta version, nowadays it is pay-ware. The reason I stopped using it is because my backup routine has changed. First thing in the morning when I start my computer, I make an incremental backup with Macrium which usually lasts 60 to 90 seconds. It is a lot faster than using any file-synch program.

I know that a file-synch program synchronizes in real time any data, provided one has USB hard drive always connected. As a precaution I don't keep anything connected to my computer when online. If I ever need to access data stored in an image all I have to do is 'browse' the image in question and copy files. Macrium also protects its images against ransomware.

 

I am using FreeFileSync

https://freefilesync.org/

 

I''ve been using Syncfolders since it came out. Never looked back. That and Drive Snapshot is enough for me. I asked the dev to think about adding a compare option to the context menu in the scan results view where one could do a file compare using an app specified by the user in the options file. I suggested doing this would alleviate Syncfolders from having to add a lot of compare code. So far nothing has happened. That's the only thing I miss with this app.

If anyone using Syncfolders is interested in having such a compare function, maybe more requests for such a facility to the author would help.

 

I always used SyncFolders as I liked how it handled versioning (and the clean UI). Nowadays I image hourly instead.

 

I used to use @Max SyncUp, but I stopped after the backup time appeared to have increased exponentially. This program created a huge number of hard links which in my case was tens of thousands. I considered a number of alternatives, including SyncFolders, but in the end I went for GoodSync. I think that both programs are very close in terms of features, but GoodSync is a bit easier to use. Moreover GoodSync can be configured to send you an email about the result, that is errors, success or failure etc., of the synchronization or backup.

Recently I came across Vice Versa which is also very good in terms of specifications, but I haven't tested it because I'm quite satisfied with GoodSync so far.

 

I still use the excellent DSynchronize from Dimio
'My softwares are very "friendly". None of my programs use an installer (compressed into the zip file, there is only the executable and documentation). Nor does my software write anything into the Windows Registry (I hate this thing).'

and an old favourite Karens Replicator

I don't know if they will work on current operating systems but maybe worth a try.

Let me know (private message or post) if you have success with either of these programs on modern systems.

 

Keep the contents of two directories in sync with SyncFolders
October 9, 2020
https://www.ghacks.net/2020/09/30/keep-the-contents-of-two-directories-in-sync-with-syncfolders/

 

Thanks a heap @mood -- that link is an excellent resource as a wiki for how to use SyncFolders, plus it also offer links to a couple of other good file synchronizers.

 

A very good small piece of software which does its work perfectly. A minor issue though, is there a way to close the program window so it remains in windows system tray instead of just closing(currently I am using portable version & need to keep it minimize all the time in taskbar).
@bellgamin

 

If you want to minimize SyncFolders (SF) to Taskbar simply hit the minus button next to the "X" at top left corner of SF's GUI.

If you want to minimize SF to the System Tray, SF's Help file provides no means of doing this. I can show you a work-around that WILL put SF in the System Tray for Windows 7 (that's what I am running) but I do not know if it will work for other Windows versions.

If you want my Win7 work-around, just let me know. Aloha from Hawaii -- stay well!

 

It looks quite good. Simple, portable and small in size.
But it will be better if it has a 64bit version.

 

Exactly why would it be better?

 

My computer is 64bit & SyncFolders runs grrreat! Feather light. Easily configured. Does its job fast & simple.

 

SyncFolders is very nice. Thank you @bellgamin and @mood!

 

@wat0114 -- You are very welcome. Stay warm.

Aloha from Hawaii,
Bill