Scan & Fix 50 registry issues FREECNET Editors' review
If you're looking for a convenient, uncomplicated, and stable synchronization tool, you could do much, much worse than Microsoft's SyncToy. Part of the Windows XP PowerToys add-ons, this tool makes it easy to keep folder contents identical on one machine or across a network.
The first time you run it, SyncToy will guide you through creating a pair of linked folders. Labeled as Left and Right, it will then ask you to choose from one of five synchronization methods. Echo works like a standard one-way sync, copying all files from Left to Right. Synchronize is bidirectional; Contribute works like Echo but it won't delete files removed from the Left folder; Subscribe only updates files in common that have been updated; and Combine merges Synchronize and Contribute so that files are updated in both directions, but none are deleted. SyncToy does support encrypted files.
SyncToy also offers up a preview, preventing accidental loss of data. However, the two feature omissions are hard to ignore: you can't synchronize across the Internet, and there's no scheduler. For the former, Microsoft does offer a different tool, FolderShare, but by requiring users to manually sync all folders leaves SyncToy behind other free backup apps.
Publisher's Description
From Microsoft:
The easy to use, customizable application helps you copy, move, rename, and delete files between folders and computers. There are files from all kinds of sources that we want to store and manage. Files are created by our digital cameras, e-mail, cell phones, portable media players, camcorders, PDAs, and laptops. Increasingly, computer users are using different folders, drives, and even different computers (such as a laptop and a desktop) to store, manage, retrieve and view files. Yet managing hundreds or thousands of files is still largely a manual operation. In some cases it is necessary to regularly get copies of files from another location to add to primary location; in other cases there is a need to keep two storage locations exactly in sync.
What's new in this version: Version 2.1 may include unspecified updates, enhancements, or bug fixes.
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All versions:
3.9 starsout of 67 votes
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Current version:
3.8 starsout of 44 votes
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My rating:
Write review
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"My new favorite software"
Version: SyncToy 2.1
Pros
it's awesome and easy to use
Cons
cannot set a schedule directly from the program, have to use windows task scheduler
Summary
I have it set so every time I unlock my pc my skydrive, google drive, and flashdrive (lots of driving) all sync together
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"Has some issues with encrypted files."
Version: SyncToy 2.1
Pros
Extremely easy to use.
Cons
You can't sync encrypted files with it, pretty dumb since it is a Microsoft software (although they don't care about it since it is a 2010 version).
Summary
It is really useful if you just want to sync a couple of folders between a external drive and your computer, but keep in mind that it doesn't sync encrypted files.
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"Nice program"
Version: SyncToy 2.1
Pros
It's user friendly. It takes a minute to understand the necessary concepts of Echo, Combine and Contribute. Once that is out of the way the interface is straight forward. The Preview mode is quite useful. Although the CNET summary says this program is not schedulable, there is a whole section in the help on how to schedule it using the Windows scheduler and command line options.
Cons
I had to keep resizing the columns to see what I wanted in preview mode.
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"Does what it says"
Version: SyncToy 2.1
Pros
mutiple folders. choice of syncing one way, two ways, deleting or not deleting, etc.
Cons
needs to be run manually.
Summary
I was hoping for something that ran (quietly) in the background, and always kept my usb updated, but I guess you have to pay for that type of program.
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"Hasn't successfully run yet after 6 tries."
Version: SyncToy 2.1
Pros
I used it previously and it worked fine.
Cons
I tried it on my Windows 7 Machine and it chokes.
Summary
I keep getting an Exception during run: The directory or file cannot be created.
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"Does not work with Win7"
Version: SyncToy 2.1
Pros
Free. Lots of entries on MS forum for SyncToy users having problems and no resolutions - so you can have company. May work with small number of files/directories according to some. Was quick to finish, though it failed to do a proper synchronization for a large number of pictures.
Cons
Failed to Sync between computers, both with Win7 64-bit and SP1 - Desktop having 14.9 GBs of pictures (in multiple directories and sub-directories) with a Laptop that had some of the files already on it.
Summary
Pictures: I have 14.9 GB in multiple files and directories...accumulated by subject or place/trip or date and so on...and some d/led from my old computers with identifying directories and sub-directories. Lots of trips, lots of travels, lots of memories. Simply copied picture files at the time I bought my most recent laptop (mass dump that took forever), but have added many more files and directories (and pictures!) to my desktop since. Thought it best to simply delete pix (directories, sub-dirs and all pictures) off the laptop and do the recopy thing, but searched around, saw SyncToy and d/led ver. 2.1 today, thinking it would work. (Microsoft lied.) Followed instructions, made a folder pair and tried to sync the pix on the desktop with the laptop (both on the same wireless network now), but after thousands of failures - individual files, with no reason given for failure - and SyncToy saying "successful finish but with errors," the resultant laptop files were nothing like the desktop. Re-tried, then deleted the pair and re-tried everything again, but I end up with about 10.4 GB on the laptop (instead of the 14.9 GBs on the desktop, and directories that look nothing like the desktop. Directories missing, and those that are there do not have all files (or sub-directories) - it's a mess. I rate the program a failure. Apparently most people have problems of one sort or another. I guess what you get for nothing is just that - nothing. And looking at forum closer, I see other claims of failure with similar problems and no resolutions. Using Desktop with Windows 7 Home Premium, w/SP1, and same on laptop.
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"Simple, efficient file synchronization"
Version: SyncToy 2.1
Pros
I works well. Easy to set up. Stable and robust. Effective.
Cons
It won't make you breakfast or take out the garbage.
Summary
If you need file synchronization, this is quite handy.
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"Works as expeted"
Version: SyncToy 2.1
Pros
Also works with Windows task scheduler for scheduled, automated backups
Cons
None yet, but have only tried one type of backup to date (Echo).
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"Buggy - slows down to nothing, will run for days"
Version: SyncToy 2.1
Pros
Easy to setup. Nice that it stores files as files that you can easily grab (you don't need to use the software to "restore" the file).
Cons
I'm running this on Win 7 64 bit, version 2.1, and I'm having the same problem everyone else has, it slows down to nothing, using all your CPU - and will runs for days, stuck on "adding an action for ...".
Summary
I've tried to use this program for years, as it seems easy to use, free from Microsoft - but they do not come out with updates, even when there's a big bug stopping anyone from using it. Don't waste your time.
I already had to split up the My Documents area into 3 backups, since there was too many files that SyncToy couldn't handle.
I've tried using this for years, it used to work, but no more. -
"very user friendly"
Version: SyncToy 2.1
Pros
simple to use and doesn't appear to cause any network-softword issues.
Cons
It would be nice if it had a schedule to repeat the operation on a periodic basis, but that's usually only found on products for sale.
Summary
Very good product and you can't beat the price ($0)
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