Keep Your Files Sync’ed The Easy Way

Posted Sep 10, 2008 | by Jason Faulkner  

Not too long ago I posted a tip on how to maintain a mirrored directory using Robocopy (this is still the method I prefer by the way), however if you are more a GUI person as opposed to a command line person, then Microsoft SyncToy is for you.

This free tool has an extensive feature list which you can view via the link above, but the quick description is as follows:

SyncToy, a free PowerToy for Microsoft Windows, is an easy to use, highly customizable program that helps users to do the heavy lifting involved with the copying, moving, and synchronization of different directories. Most common operations can be performed with just a few clicks of the mouse, and additional customization is available without additional complexity. SyncToy can manage multiple sets of folders at the same time; it can combine files from two folders in one case, and mimic renames and deletes in another case. Unlike other applications, SyncToy actually keeps track of renames to files and will make sure those changes get carried over to the synchronized folder.

I did some quick searches on using SyncToy and I found a rather nice walkthrough which explains (using lots of screenshots) how to set up a process to automatically sync files.

From what I can see, Robocopy can do everything SyncToy does so you cannot go wrong either way. It just simply boils down to which tool you are more comfortable with.

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