SyncToy is a free application developed by Microsoft that helps users synchronize files and folders between different locations. It is particularly useful for backing up data, organizing files, and ensuring that multiple copies of data remain consistent. SyncToy is designed to work on Windows environments, making it a suitable choice for users who need a straightforward solution for file synchronization tasks.

Getting Started with SyncToy

1. Installation:

   • Download SyncToy from the official Microsoft website. Ensure you choose the correct version (32-bit or 64-bit) that matches your Windows operating system.
   • Run the installer and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.

2. Creating a Folder Pair:

   • Open SyncToy.
   • Click on "Create New Folder Pair" to start the process.
   • Select the "Left Folder" and "Right Folder". These represent the two locations you want to synchronize. For example, the left folder could be a folder on your computer, and the right folder could be an external hard drive.
   • Choose the synchronization method:
     • Synchronize: New and updated files are copied both ways. Renames and deletes in one folder are repeated in the other.
     • Echo: New and updated files are copied left to right. Renames and deletes on the left are repeated on the right.
     • Contribute: New and updated files are copied left to right. Renames on the left are repeated on the right. No deletions are made.
   • Name your folder pair and click "Finish".

3. Running SyncToy:

   • After creating a folder pair, you can run it by selecting the pair and clicking "Run".
   • SyncToy will display a summary of the actions it will take. Review these actions to ensure they are what you expect.

Examples

• Example 1: Synchronizing Documents Folder with an External Drive

  1. Create a folder pair where the left folder is C:\Users\YourName\Documents and the right folder is E:\Backup\Documents.
  2. Select the "Echo" option to ensure that any changes in your Documents folder are mirrored to the external drive.
  3. Run the synchronization and verify that your documents are backed up.

• Example 2: Keeping Two Project Folders in Sync

  1. Create a folder pair with C:\Projects\CurrentProject as the left folder and D:\ProjectBackup as the right folder.
  2. Choose the "Synchronize" option to ensure both folders are identical.
  3. Run the synchronization to update both folders with the latest changes.

Automating SyncToy with Task Scheduler

To automate SyncToy and run it at scheduled intervals, you can use Windows Task Scheduler:

1. Open Task Scheduler from the Start menu.
2. Click on "Create Basic Task" and follow the wizard.
3. Set the action to "Start a Program".
4. In the "Program/script" field, enter the path to SyncToyCmd.exe, typically located in C:\Program Files\SyncToy 2.1\.
5. In the "Add arguments" field, type -R to run all folder pairs or -R "Your Folder Pair Name" to run a specific pair.
6. Set the schedule according to your needs and finish the setup.