File sync software suggestions?

Hello, I need a free program that checks folder A (and all subfolders) and copies changes across to folder B (and subfolders).

It should be reliable (i.e not crash in the middle of a sync job), do the job accurately and have a relatively simple interface.

I have been using FreeFileSync for a while now which does this well but with the amount of adware being bundled of late, am looking for an alternative. Any suggestions?

Have you tried SyncToy from Microsoft? Look here: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/down....aspx?id=15155.

Alan Russell said:

Have you tried SyncToy from Microsoft? Look here: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/down....aspx?id=15155.

That was the first sync software I used in the XP days but changed after MS discontinued support with Win 7 and stopped updating it (as you can see in the system requirements on that page).

I've used SyncBack by 2BrightSparks for quite a while after Microsoft abandoned SyncToy, but just before doing so introduced a 'bug' that prevented it from deleting files in the destination that were deleted on the source when mirroring. Microsoft said they fixed it, but didn't, which made it useless for me. But it was out of support regardless, so it was time to move on.

There are both free and paid versions of SyncBack. Link here:
Backup software comparison - SyncBackPro, SyncBackSE and SyncBackFree

It's a bit full on due to the amount of options, so it's more of a techie type person's tool. User Manual for free version is here:
https://www.2brightsparks.com/assets...BackFreeV7.pdf (PDF DIRECT LINK)


In your example, it sounds like you're simply making a backup and syncing Folder A to Folder B. In which case, Mirror one way from Folder A (Source) to Folder B (Destination) and set it to delete files on the destination that have been deleted on the source.

With file syncing, always do test runs first on dummy data to make sure it's doing exactly what you want it to do, before using it on any real data.

I've been using Goodsync for a couple of years now

GoodSync: File Synchronization Software, File Backup, File Sync

I have been using FreeFileSync for a while now which does this well but with the amount of adware being bundled of late, am looking for an alternative. Any suggestions?

I am very happy with FreeFileSync. With downloading a programme, you always have to be careful with checking or unchecking items. And always check for the expert modus. Doing that, FreeFileSync is a perfect programme without adware.

PiKo said:

I have been using FreeFileSync for a while now which does this well but with the amount of adware being bundled of late, am looking for an alternative. Any suggestions?

I am very happy with FreeFileSync. With downloading a programme, you always have to be careful with checking or unchecking items. And always check for the expert modus. Doing that, FreeFileSync is a perfect programme without adware.

Yes I am very careful to untick the adware installation box during set up but the problem has been getting worse, so much so that various antivirus programs including Win Defender is flagging it as malware and preventing installation. It's a known problem and has been discussed more than once on the FFS forum itself e.g FreeFileSync 8.4 Install. Problem - FreeFileSync Forum

@ARC1020
I was a big fan of SyncToy as well till MS abandoned it and now that you mention, I think I stopped after encountering that bug as well. Will take a look at Syncback, thanks

TomStrong said:

Yes I am very careful to untick the adware installation box during set up but the problem has been getting worse, so much so that various antivirus programs including Win Defender is flagging it as malware and preventing installation. It's a known problem and has been discussed more than once on the FFS forum itself e.g FreeFileSync 8.4 Install. Problem - FreeFileSync Forum

The updates 8.3 and earlier never gave a problem. Also Defender did not flag it. And after every update I check in programmes and features whether by accident adware was also installed. Did not occur.
I did not yet install the update 8.4. Maybe, problems are 8.4 related. I will wait with further updating.