Sync Windows 10 files on 2 identical Pcs

Are the computers both in the same home network? Or is their only common link the fact that they are connected to the internet? I think you probably mean the latter but am not sure from what you have written.

Mine are on the same home network and I 'sync' between them using the built-in utility RoboCopy.
- I have one computer that is the master in which all file changes are normally made so I take its files as the Master copies.
- I use RoboCopy within a batch file for the backup-transfer.
- I have added in another batch file that can copy individual files or sets of files back the other way so I can use the other computers without losing anything.

If they are not on the same network then you might use an external USB-connected drive as a backup & transfer medium - back up to xHDD, copy from the xHDD to the backup computer. RoboCopy can still be the tool used for this.

RoboCopy takes a bit of getting used to. You can get its Help file in a cmd window by entering robocopy /?
See also Robocopy - SS64

You do not explain what is going wrong with your previous attempts. It might be worth clarifying this before moving on too far.

Denis

SyncIt said:

I have a live Dell Optiplex PC and a identical back-up PC both with identical Windows 10 operating systems (version 1909) and configurations.
Both PCs have identical applications loaded and share the same ethernet internet connection, they also both have Wifi enabled.

Just in case the live box ever fails for any reason, whenever they get updated or changed, I want to AUTOMATICALLY copy the
modified "live files" from the live box to the backup box, so that I could use the backup as a "Hot Start" main PC whilst
the other is being fixed.

I want to keep the files themselves on both the actual PCs and whilst I'm happy to have a further copy on the Cloud
or Onedrive, I MUST keep the live & backup files on the physical PCs themselves.


Both Pcs have an identical single Microsoft User account (also the Administrator).

I've tried syncing the appropriate files via Onedrive and Network Sharing - but can't get anything to do what I want!
Any ideas please?

I suggest that you isolate your user data, all of it, on one or more separate partitions. That way, each system can be auto-updated for all the apps installed on that system. And you have the freedom to have different apps installed on each system. If you are unsure about how to do this, look up "partition management" in the tutorials. And grab a copy of Best Free Partition Manager for Windows | MiniTool Partition Wizard Free

Be sure that that both systems have the same configuration for the additional partitions. I know that there are some free tools out there to keep the additional partitions synchronized, but none of them, in my experience, are foolproof. I use Backup & Sync Software Download | GoodSync. Once you set it up, you can set up as many "jobs" as you need.

About "2. I didn't think you could have a " home network" set up on Windows 10??" - Home networks can be done in Windows 10 in the same way that they were done before the short-lived experiment with "HomeGroup" sharing. That particular method ["HomeGroup"] has now been withdrawn but not the ability to set up home networks.

About "4. I don't want to faff around with saving to an external USB-connected drive" I quite agree. Setting up a home network then syncing directly between the computers is a much better method.

There is guidance on setting up a network in the TenForumsTutorials. In particular, take a look at Share Files and Folders Over a Network - TenForumsTutorials

And another thing - do please make sure you have an additional Admin account on each computer in case your main user account ever becomes corrupted. Since you are going to set up a home network, you might as well do one step now that you will also use then. Create a password-protected local Admin account on each computer with the same name & password on each one.
- The very first time you connect to a new home network, Windows will ask for 'network credentials' and you use the new account for that
- The new account will probably then sit there unused and unremenbered so make sure you write its password down somewhere convenient, accessible & secure.
- Add Local Account or Microsoft Account - TenForumsTutorials
- Create a local user or administrator account - MSSupport

Denis

Some people here have made favourable comments about MS's Synctoy
https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/down....aspx?id=15155

but of course there are othe file sync programs around too.

Is Network sharing working corectly in general? This is one of the things some people have reported problems with after upgrading to 1909.

dalchina said:

Some people here have made favourable comments about MS's Synctoy
https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/down....aspx?id=15155

but of course there are othe file sync programs around too.

Is Network sharing working corectly in general? This is one of the things some people have reported problems with after upgrading to 1909.

I used to use synctoy until, until, until ... instead of replacing a file during a sync operation, it would create a filename[1] version. This is a known bug with synctoy, and synctoy is unsupported by Microsoft. Too much hassle for me.