Comments on: Is FreeFileSync Better Sync Software Than Microsoft SyncToy? [Windows]

By: Chris Hoffman

Chris Hoffman — Wed, 01 Aug 2012 10:40:16 +0000

You can also set up filters which will automatically deselect items for you, saving you time. If you find yourself deselecting something every time, create a filter and you’ll save lots of time. I believe you can do the same in SyncToy.

By: Chris Hoffman

Chris Hoffman — Wed, 01 Aug 2012 10:39:18 +0000

Too bad, that one looked reasonably promising.

By: Help!I'mSyncing!

Help!I'mSyncing! — Tue, 31 Jul 2012 11:48:41 +0000

OK. I just gave FreeFileSync a shot and it satisfies my criteria of being able to select/deselect multiple items before transfer. Yay! I’ve been using SyncToy which ridiculously cannot do this. I was using SyncBack Pro until the trial ran out and their free version is so seriously knobbled as to be utterly useless (filelist rendered as multiple pages).
I tried Toucan which is mentioned here but there is absolutely no user control available for the filelist in that very basic program.
So thanks for the headsup on FreeFileSync. It’s usable and going in my toolkit.

By: Help!I'mSyncing!

Help!I'mSyncing! — Tue, 31 Jul 2012 04:49:50 +0000

Just tried it. Not able to select/deselect items. Not even one at a time let alone multiple items. Absolutely no user control in the filelists whatsoever. No context menu in filelists. It’s all or nothing. VERY, very basic program.

By: Help!I'mSyncing!

Help!I'mSyncing! — Tue, 31 Jul 2012 04:45:41 +0000

By: Help!I'mSyncing!

Help!I'mSyncing! — Tue, 31 Jul 2012 03:35:30 +0000

This is not about FreeFileSync but I will be trying that program shortly.
Can someone tell me if it is possible to select/deselect multiple items in Synctoy’s sim/run window? With 10′s of thousands of items on display before a sync it’s ridiculous if you want to uncheck a few hundred or so and have to do that one by one. I can’t find a way to select multiple items.

By: Haroon Ghaus

Haroon Ghaus — Thu, 26 Jul 2012 08:04:00 +0000

With Windows Vista upwards it’s not sufficient anymore to specify the *.ffs_batch file only. The task scheduler command must start with an .exe:

“C:\Program Files\FreeFileSync\FreeFileSync.exe” C:\Sync.ffs_batch

By: Chris Hoffman

Chris Hoffman — Fri, 20 Jul 2012 04:52:50 +0000

Ah, that actually makes a lot of sense. Thanks for updating us!

By: SJOSSIE

SJOSSIE — Tue, 17 Jul 2012 07:58:29 +0000

Actually found out that it was a problem with Microsoft explorer. The latter does not always count the number of files and folders correctly. In fact I could open a folder with 30 files in it and using properties it would actually tell me there were zero files !!! Eventually found a programme (Treesize Free) that counted correctly and showed that all files had been synced correctly using FFS. I’m happy now that it works fine.

By: Chris Hoffman

Chris Hoffman — Tue, 17 Jul 2012 02:30:46 +0000

I haven’t come across this, and I use FFS to sync to an external drive. You might try checking to see if some files are being filtered out (maybe ones in the recycle bin?)

For more ideas, you might try asking on MakeUseOf Answers. You’ll get more responses: http://www.makeuseof.com/answers/

By: Chris Hoffman

Chris Hoffman — Tue, 17 Jul 2012 01:39:17 +0000

Wow, I had no idea — they should advertise it. Unfortunately, several readers experience other problems with SyncToy — it doesn’t look supported anymore. Too bad; it was really solid.

By: Chris Hoffman

Chris Hoffman — Tue, 17 Jul 2012 01:38:20 +0000

Thanks for figuring out the answer and sharing it with everyone! I’m sure your solution will help someone else.

By: Philippe

Philippe — Sun, 15 Jul 2012 03:09:16 +0000

Ok, I solved it. Inside FreeFileSync batch window: uncheck the dialog progress and select ignore errors. Save it before close.

Thats all.

Regards.

By: Philippe

Philippe — Sun, 15 Jul 2012 02:59:22 +0000

A question.

It is possible to run this program in hidden mode? Lets me explain more:

I already made a task on task manager. Also did a batch job. When it runs in the scheduled time, it opens the programs and close if automatically. It is possible to setup it in order the user cant see when the task begin like I did whe I was using Synctoy?

Thanks

By: Miguel

Miguel — Wed, 11 Jul 2012 01:32:06 +0000

SyncToy detects moved files so that it doesn’t do a delete and copy unnecessarily–something very few free sync/backup programs do.

This is not an advertised feature. But it does it.