Does anyone know whether Synctoy has any startup switches? I've always wanted to create a shortcut that starts it, chooses "All Folder Pairs" and then runs "Run All," combining three steps in one.

I can't wait for Synctoy to get out of beta. I think I'll stick with 1.4 now as I use it to do my document backups to a separate hard drive, which are very important to me.

pschroeter

I have used SyncToy for a long time, but I prefer SyncBackSE (the free version). It does all that SyncToy does, but it also adds the ability to email you results, use FTP, compress files, etc.

You can get the application here: [www.2brightsparks.com]

Jeff

Purely FYI, I use a freeware program called TreeComp, which works very well for what I was using it for. It may be worth checking out if SyncToy doesn't do exactly what you want.

ScrObot

@ihakes: If you need to sync files between a Mac and a PC, the aforementioned FolderShare is really good.

mitten

I'm currently using SyncExp. It's not very pretty, but it is portable, can be run from commandline and supports unicode.

[syncexp.com]

bubi73

I stopped using the previous version of SyncToy because it can't handle path+filenames longer the 256 characters. You wouldn't think that would be a problem, but if you use the UNC path (\\server\share) - like many people do when backing-up to a NAS! - it limits the name to something closer to 128 characters.

Has this been fixed for SyncToy 2.0?

bobbo33

@EmEhRkay: The SyncToy Help menu has a shortcut item called "Learn How to Schedule SyncToy", which has instructions for setting up scheduled tasks.

dfrazee

If you have Office 2007 Enterprise, you can use Groove to sync folders across computers. I use it at work for all my important docs/projects.

Chris

Foldershare is a great app, and I can't believe it isn't promoted more heavily by Microsoft. I have been using it for a couple of years (since I read about it in Gina's original post). I mainly use it to back up on to external hard drive from a notebook, for which it excels.

FizzyPopMan

I've been a fan of SyncToy since it first launched; I run it on 4 separate Windows (Vista & XP) computers to keep them in sync with documents stored on a central NAS.

I'm quite happy to see that 2.0 is out. I hope they have fixed the annoyance of new sub-folders being synced when the parent folder is already unchecked. I will definitely be giving this a whirl.

Now I really need a good Mac sync tool for my MBP to go along with it...

ihakes

Sync Toy is a nice app. I have been using it since the kind people at Lifehacker first mentioned it. I use it to sync my pictures and important documents to a network attached storage device (for safe keeping). I also use it to mirror that same attached storage device (One can't be to careful you know).

I would love to jump on the bandwagon with 2.0 but the "Beta" suffix frightens me. Especially since I use it to back up such important stuff. Does anyone know when this thing will be out of beta?

FrogBoy

Been using the older SyncToy 1.4 and I'm very happy with it. Tried to upgrade, but when I saw the EULA for this beta saying it's now bundled with SQL Server Express, I panicked and aborted the install. Is this thing really safe to install without risking the impact of installing a DBMS just so I can sync my files with the laptop once a week?

fnord0

Here is a better link to the Allway application I mentioned above. It goes to the download page rather that being a direct link to the file. So you can choose the install or portable version. I forgot to mention that it's free for personal use as opposed to free for all uses.

[allwaysync.com]

EracMan

There is also "Allway Sync 'n' Go". It is a portable verison of the Good and free "Allway sync" application that is available at [allwaysync.com]

I like this one because you can keep it on your usb drive. I believe is supports relative paths as well. I have used SyncToy but preferred the control Allway gives. You control which way to sync (left, right or true syncing) and you can exclude files or complete folders.

EracMan

I've been using SyncToy for about a year, replacing an rsync based scheme I was using before. I use it to sync:

My Documents over to my file server. It doesn't live on the file server itself because of network performance issues with certain games that put their save game folder under 'My Documents'.

USB key to the file server for backups.

Digital camera pictures to the directory Picasa scans for new images.

At one point I was syncing Firefox profiles between different users and systems on my network, but have since consolidated and don't do this anymore.

jtimberman

Just found out about SyncToy and I love it. Works great for my work folder on my laptop and work computer.

[www.lemonlimedesigns.ca]

LemonLimeBlog

You can also just use Robocopy (free from Microsoft) and it will monitor a directory and make changes when a certain amount have been made.

holymogwai

FolderShare is great, especially for remote syncs over the internet, but FolderShare's overkill for syncing files to a USB drive or the living room PC on the same network. You do have to press the Run button to make SyncToy go.

Gina Trapani, Lifehacker Editor

Is this something that has to be run or is automatic? I've used foldershare in the past and it is pretty useful. It syncs when changes are made to either location

EmEhRkay

I've been using this for awhile and it is great. I like to keep my external hard drive full of everything I add to my laptop, and then delete that stuff off the laptop. With synctoy you can have the laptop only add new stuff to the external hard drive, so syncing it doesn't delete stuff off either drive... and if you want deletion on either side you can set it up. Most useful download I've ever used from microsoft, I can't believe it's free.

internomics

@pschroeter: I believe if you create a shortcut to the program and then enter -R as a switch, it will run all folder pair syncs when clicked.

That's how you set up an all pair sync in scheduled tasks anyway.

TendoMentis

@Jeff: SyncBackSE has crippled some very basic features (like collapsible menus for selecting folders - imagine wading through a list of every single folder on your c drive) and has bugs they aren't interested in fixing: I recently tried to sync a flash drive only to find it wanted to copy Every file because they were all an hour off from daylight savings. Why they think this freeware will be good advertising for the paid version I have no idea.

person_x

I use SyncToy for all my backups at home. I use previously mentioned Xecutor, to make a shutdown task. It runs ("c:\progra~1\synctoy\synctoy.exe" -r) . The -r swith runs all folders and then goes away after it is complete. After Xecutor runs that, then my PC shuts down. It's great for my wife's computer. She just shuts it down normally and walks away, and it does the rest.

You can also run SyncToy with ("c:\progra~1\synctoy\synctoy.exe" -r"backup name") and that will run only that specified backup. I have a shortcut on my desktop that I run for my flash drive.

I've been using SyncToy for 2 years-ish and I love it. Very easy to use. I just hope they add more advanced features in the future.

Sir_Tofek

@TendoMentis: Thank you for the -R technique. I actually figured this out on my own after I wrote this. The -R switch was buried in the section on scheduling in Help.
My next problem was that the shortcuts the program created when installed didn't have paths in them, the Target box in Properties contained only Synctoy, and is grayed out and could not be edited. Then the next problem is the program is not in the Program folder, its in a hidden folder in the C:\Documents and Settings\Owner\Local Settings\Application Data\SyncToy, which I don't understand at all.
I wonder if there are other switches as well, for example to close the program after it runs. Thank you again.

pschroeter

I reviewed a number of freeware synchronization utilities, including SyncToy, Good Sync, Allway Sync, and found Allway Sync to be the best. You can read about it in post #27 of my utilities blog (and thanks for noticing me, Lifehacker!), with a follow-up in #28.

Many other commenters also endorse Karen's Replicator. SyncToy does not usually make the cut.

I hope this is helpful.

JonathansToolBarAndGrill

They really ought to change the name - why would I want to use a toy for such an important task?!

JosephWatkins

Preferring FOSS, I use WinSCP, a "free SFTP, FTP, and SCP client for Windows." Website: [winscp.net]

* You can keep a Windows PC in synch with another Windows, Mac, Linux (actually any other host that you can reach via SSH) system.

* A side-by-side view of directory structures is available in a classic Explorer type view, or you can choose the Norton Commander style interface when you set it up.

* Many options available on how to synchronize content. Replace always, replace newer only, etc.

I suppose if you wanted this to happen automatically, you could set up a job with the "at" command.

I use WinSCP in concert with X1 Desktop to index 400 kinds of content, though I mainly want to use downloaded PDFs, PPTs, DOCs, email, etc. A free trial of X1 Professional Client ([www.x1.com]) is available. After the trial period expires, you can keep using a meaningful subset of the core capabilities.

This helps me search and manage my content from Mac, Linux, and PC in one place.

mondotofu

I'm still a fan of Allway Sync, and use USB Detect & Launch (free) to automate the detection of my USB devices and launch the appropriate backup script/app.

mattc

I am on the SyncToy team at Microsoft and I thought I would help answer some of the above questions. If you have any additional comments or questions feel free to submit them at our forum:
[www.microsoft.com]

EMEHRKAY and PSCHROETER: As SIR_TOFEK suggested, yes, you can run SyncToy automatically by adding a -r parameter after the SyncToy.exe. Some people automate this by using the Task Scheduler in Vista or the Schedule Tasks in XP. You can find this under Start menu, select All Programs - Accessories -
System Tools

FNORDO: If you see SQL Server Express in the EULA, that is a mistake as it is SQL Server Compact Edition (not Express) that is installed with SyncToy 2.0 Beta. This is a very lightweight and free database which stores the metadata of changes. It really should not impact anything oun your system as it is very self contained.

FROGBOY and PSCHROETER: We had to call it Beta because it now contains the Microsoft Sync Framework to handle file synchroniztion which is still currently in CTP (not officially released). As such, SyncToy also needed to be called a Beta. I can tell you that it went through as many (in fact more) testing as the 1.4 release so it is very stable.

BOBBO33: Unfortunately path+filenames longer the 256 characters is still an issue in 2.0 but we are hoping to fix this in the next release.

JOSEPHWATKINS: Yes, the name is somewhat unfortunate as it gives the impression it is not meant for enterprise use. It is called SyncToy because it is part of the PowerToy set of tools. In fact it is the most popular PowerToy download at Microsoft. In fact it is used by many enterprises and I have heard of many large organization that use it to synchronize very important files such as large CAD files.

Liam Cavanagh

LiamCavanagh