Question

Synchronize files on two computers

Asked by: a_anis3000

I have a laptop and a desktop both connected to a home network, and I want to synchronize my files/documents so that both computers have the latest versions of them. At the moment I am doing it by simply copying the files from one location to another using drag and drop. This is simple and require no software but its error prone thus I am concerned that I might end up overwriting a file with an older version, losing all the changes I have made. So I am looking for a better way to do it. Does Windows provide a means to do it? if not what is the best and easiest way to do it?

Thanks in advance
a_anis3000

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Asked On
2009-10-06 at 04:00:06ID24788333
Tags

files synchronization

Topics

Windows 7

,

Miscellaneous Software

,

Hard Drives & Storage

Participating Experts
3
Points
500
Comments
5

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Answers

 

by: callpetePosted on 2009-10-06 at 04:11:20ID: 25503700

There are several programs, but one that I like is synctoy, available free from Microsoft.

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=c26efa36-98e0-4ee9-a7c5-98d0592d8c52



Another one, available for $29 I think, is goodsync. Goodsync can monitor file changes and run as files change, and sync with FTP sites.
http://goodsync.com

 

by: LeeTutorPosted on 2009-10-06 at 05:23:55ID: 25504164

I am well satisfied with the 2BrightSparks freeware SyncBackSE:

http://www.2brightsparks.com/downloads.html#freeware

You can also try one of the commercial versions, which are quite economical.

 

by: LeeTutorPosted on 2009-10-10 at 06:17:43ID: 25542177

a_anis3000, any feedback?

 

by: a_anis3000Posted on 2009-10-10 at 09:43:35ID: 25542826

Sorry for the delay, my university started a while ago so got a bit busy, I got the chance to download both syncToy and SyncBack.

SyncToy looks good, did a good job synchronizing my notes in the laptop, it is also easy to learn and very simple.

SyncBack while has some learning curve it does on the other hand offer more control as I see that it has many options unlike SyncToy, I haven't yet tried synchronizing files with it yet, I will read the help files first then give it a shot and let you know how it goes.





 

by: infinityITCPosted on 2009-10-13 at 03:59:40ID: 25558614

Athough you have had several suggestions an additional recommendation would be DirSync, free for 30 day trial but the licence is cheap enough to purchase.
http://www.archersoft.com/download.htm

If the machine is on the domain go in on the local account, make sure you have a network drive then run the program. I have done this many times and been very successful with it.

20120131-EE-VQP-002

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