How to Use SyncToy for Data Backups  

Two references for scheduling Sync Toy to run via Task Scheduler.

First from an MS Q&A, not very descriptive.

Both reference Win 7, but procedures are the same in Win 10.

https://social.microsoft.com/Forums/...?forum=synctoy

Second, from HTG (How to Geek). Very descriptive, examples, command line arguments, etc.

Schedule SyncToy to Run Automatically With Task Scheduler in Windows 7

Hi, it's been ages since I used SyncToy. My question is I've a large media library (400+GB) and want to sync between my PC library (master files) and my NAS where a copy of the library resides for streaming from the NAS. Issues?

My main concerns is size of library and syncing to the NAS.

Thanks

sygnus21 said:

Hi, it's been ages since I used SyncToy. My question is I've a large media library (400+GB) and want to sync between my PC library (master files) and my NAS where a copy of the library resides for streaming from the NAS. Issues?

My main concerns is size of library and syncing to the NAS.

Thanks

It shouldn't be an issue, but given the size of the library I wonder if using robocopy via a .bat might be a better option? With the robocopy, you can multi-thread the copy, which may result in a faster sync......you will have to experiment.

Robocopy multi-thread switch:

Code:

/MT[:n] :: Do multi-threaded copies with n threads (default 8).
                       n must be at least 1 and not greater than 128.
                       This option is incompatible with the /IPG and /EFSRAW options.
                       Redirect output using /LOG option for better performance.

Suggested trial for you:

Code:

robocopy SOURCE DESTINATION /e /mir /np /z /mt:16

/e - copy all folders, even empty ones
/mir - mirror (only copy newer files don't already exist on the DESTINATION)
/np - don't show progress counter
/z - retry every 30secs in case of copy failure (will retry a million times every 30 secs)
/mt:16 - copy using 16 threads

I agree with Golden's suggestion about experimenting with MT threading levels with RoboCopy. When I experimented with this factor, I found that one particular number of threads for a given inter-computer syncing job*** ran faster than others [and it wasn't the max - both higher & lower thread levels were slower than one particular mid-way value].

*** Syncing 200-300GB media libraries but, naturally, not all files need syncing every time.

Denis

Golden said:

It shouldn't be an issue, but given the size of the library I wonder if using robocopy via a .bat might be a better option?

Thanks. Not familiar with robocopy though. That said, I don't need constant syncing, just whenever I add files to the master library. As I said, there's already a complete copy of the library on the NAS.

Currently when I add files to my PC library I manually copy those adds to my NAS drive. SyncToy would alleviate that issue, but I'm overly concerned about the size of the library.

sygnus21 said:

Thanks. Not familiar with robocopy though. That said, I don't need constant syncing, just whenever I add files to the master library. As I said, there's already a complete copy of the library on the NAS.

Currently when I add files to my PC library I manually copy those adds to my NAS drive. SyncToy would alleviate that issue, but I'm overly concerned about the size of the library.

Give SyncToy a test and lets see how it performs.

Golden said:

Give SyncToy a test and lets see how it performs.

That's the plan if laziness doesn't get in the way since I'm nowhere near being in the moods to tackle this right now

Golden said:

Cheers @f14tomcat - I’ll add that it

Did you decide after all to not include this?

Nice tutorial, well presented!

Please accept my thanks, Golden.