What's the easiest way to sync a laptop and a PC?


  1. Madrona
    Posts : 47
    windows 10
       New #1

    What's the easiest way to sync a laptop and a PC?


    I just got my first laptop, and I want to be able to sync it to my PC (in case my PC has a catastrophic failure, I could just carry on working where I left off using my laptop).

    Ideally, I'd like my laptop to be identical to my pc both in working files and system settings.

    What is the easiest way to do this?

    - Google Drive (not if I can help it) or some other 3rd party program
    - External HDD
    - NAS

    If hardware related, what cables/ports do I need?
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  3. dalchina
    Posts : 43,007
    Win 10 Pro (22H2) (2nd PC is 22H2)
       New #2

    Hi,
    I will first assume you are covering the basics- i.e. routinely using 3rd party disk imaging to external storage for both PCs. This is endlessly recommended by members here- just search tenforums etc for more, and why you should.

    Starting with settings:

    Go to the tutorials section - at the top- search for
    sync settings

    Read these:
    What's the easiest way to sync a laptop and a PC?-1.jpg

    I've never synched files between PCs so will leave that for someone else.
    Consider NOT using Onedrive. It's complicated and intrusive- many uninstall it.

    No doubt you will have reviewed text on synching such as this:
    How to Sync Files on Windows? (4 Effective Ways)
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  4. x509
    Posts : 1,775
    Windows 10 Pro
       New #3

    I use the commercial version of Goodsync. Completely reliable. Can set up "jobs" for different kinds of sync'ing. Jobs can be "chained" to run one after the other. Tech support responds within a day, always. Absolutely worth the $$$.
      My Computers
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  6. User2468
    Posts : 295
    Windows 10 Pro
       New #4

    Syncthing may be your ticket.

    Now you have options.

    Syncthing
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  7. User2468
    Posts : 295
    Windows 10 Pro
       New #5

    Madrona said:
    Ideally, I'd like my laptop to be identical to my pc both in working files and system settings.

    Working files is one thing, but system settings is quite another.

    ForensiT Free Downloads

    CloneApp

    In lieu of that, if both computers are the same then a full 1:1 hard drive clone will do. I personally use Clonezilla. (not related to Mozilla). You boot Clonezilla like you would boot Windows for install. How I chose to boot Clonezilla is via Ventoy.

    Clonezilla - About

    Ventoy
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  8. User2468
    Posts : 295
    Windows 10 Pro
       New #6

    dalchina said:
    How to Sync Files on Windows? (4 Effective Ways)
    Sorry to be a party pooper, but this is a CCP-driven website. It's in their WordPress code and Analytics. Analytics ID

    Also, raises the flag of one anti-virus engine at VirusTotal. (For what ever that's worth).

    They're hiding behind Cloudflare and not doing a very good job of it.

    Also, their WordPress install is outdated and they're not running the latest WooCommerce plug-in. Meaning, if you run your debt/credit card through them you could get kicked in the nut sack by a hacker...
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  9. dalchina
    Posts : 43,007
    Win 10 Pro (22H2) (2nd PC is 22H2)
       New #7

    If dissatisfied with that you or the OP can readily find more.
      My Computers
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  10. User2468
    Posts : 295
    Windows 10 Pro
       New #8

    Don't be a sad panda...
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  12. Madrona
    Posts : 47
    windows 10
    Thread Starter
       New #9

    Do the suggested syncing programs work via cloud, or do you connect a cable between two computers, or how exactly does it work?
      My Computer
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