SyncToy
Encyclopedia
SyncToy is a freeware
tool in Microsoft
's PowerToys
series that provides an easy-to-use graphical user interface
for synchronizing files and folders. It is written using Microsoft's .NET framework
and uses the Microsoft Sync Framework
.
, or on a network share from another computer. SyncToy supports UNC paths. It provides a Browse option to find the folder or network share, or users can type it in directly. SyncToy offers two safeguards to ensure that the user does not lose files permanently when they are deemed unnecessary during a sync. Firstly, a user can preview what is going to happen when the sync takes place, without actually changing anything; secondly, any deleted files are optionally moved to the Recycle Bin
.
SyncToy defines three different types of operation to synchronize two folders:
SyncToy supports 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Windows 7, Windows Vista, and Windows XP.
. Initially releases took version numbers 1.x, culminating in version 1.4. These versions were written in Microsoft's .NET framework
but contained their own code for folder synchronization. They included the same actions as the present version, plus two additional actions (labelled Subscribe and Combine):
In November 2008 version 2.0 was released. This was a rewritten version built to use the Microsoft Sync Framework
. Compared to version 1.4 it included better support for unattended synchronization runs, x64 compatibility, support for synchronizing encrypted
files, file and folder exclusion based on both names and file types, renaming folder pairs and detection of drive letter reassignment. SyncToy 2.1 was released on November 10, 2009 and includes several minor enhancements and fixes for several bugs, including a serious issue where data on NAS
would be corrupted, and another where deletes would not be synchronised when in Echo mode.
Freeware
Freeware is computer software that is available for use at no cost or for an optional fee, but usually with one or more restricted usage rights. Freeware is in contrast to commercial software, which is typically sold for profit, but might be distributed for a business or commercial purpose in the...
tool in Microsoft
Microsoft
Microsoft Corporation is an American public multinational corporation headquartered in Redmond, Washington, USA that develops, manufactures, licenses, and supports a wide range of products and services predominantly related to computing through its various product divisions...
's PowerToys
Microsoft PowerToys
Microsoft PowerToys is a set of programs provided by Microsoft for the Windows operating system. PowerToys are not integrated into Windows since they are released after the public release of a Windows operating system...
series that provides an easy-to-use graphical user interface
Graphical user interface
In computing, a graphical user interface is a type of user interface that allows users to interact with electronic devices with images rather than text commands. GUIs can be used in computers, hand-held devices such as MP3 players, portable media players or gaming devices, household appliances and...
for synchronizing files and folders. It is written using Microsoft's .NET framework
.NET Framework
The .NET Framework is a software framework that runs primarily on Microsoft Windows. It includes a large library and supports several programming languages which allows language interoperability...
and uses the Microsoft Sync Framework
Microsoft Sync Framework
Microsoft Sync Framework is a data synchronization platform from Microsoft that can be used to synchronize data across multiple data stores. Sync Framework includes a transport-agnostic architecture, into which data store-specific synchronization providers, modelled on the ADO.NET data provider...
.
Features
Users initially need to create a “folder pair” that represents the two folders ("left" and "right" folders) to be compared and synchronized. These folders can be on the local drive, on an external device such as a flash driveUSB flash drive
A flash drive is a data storage device that consists of flash memory with an integrated Universal Serial Bus interface. flash drives are typically removable and rewritable, and physically much smaller than a floppy disk. Most weigh less than 30 g...
, or on a network share from another computer. SyncToy supports UNC paths. It provides a Browse option to find the folder or network share, or users can type it in directly. SyncToy offers two safeguards to ensure that the user does not lose files permanently when they are deemed unnecessary during a sync. Firstly, a user can preview what is going to happen when the sync takes place, without actually changing anything; secondly, any deleted files are optionally moved to the Recycle Bin
Recycle bin (computing)
In computing, the trash is temporary storage for files that have been deleted in a file manager by the user, but not yet permanently erased from the physical media...
.
SyncToy defines three different types of operation to synchronize two folders:
- Synchronize takes the two folders and makes sure they have exactly the same files. To do this, SyncToy may copy files in either direction and may delete or rename files in either folder. In the case that a file has been updated in both the left and right folders, the version with the later modification date is considered the conflict winner and will overwrite the other version.
- Echo looks for changes (file modifications, new files, renames, deletes) in the left folder and makes them in the right folder (one-way sync).
- Contribute is like an Echo, but it does not delete any files on the right folder that may have been deleted in the left folder.
SyncToy supports 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Windows 7, Windows Vista, and Windows XP.
History
SyncToy started as a Powertoy for Windows XPWindows XP
Windows XP is an operating system produced by Microsoft for use on personal computers, including home and business desktops, laptops and media centers. First released to computer manufacturers on August 24, 2001, it is the second most popular version of Windows, based on installed user base...
. Initially releases took version numbers 1.x, culminating in version 1.4. These versions were written in Microsoft's .NET framework
.NET Framework
The .NET Framework is a software framework that runs primarily on Microsoft Windows. It includes a large library and supports several programming languages which allows language interoperability...
but contained their own code for folder synchronization. They included the same actions as the present version, plus two additional actions (labelled Subscribe and Combine):
- Subscribe would update any file in the left folder that also exists in the right folder and is found to be older. No new files would be copied, only existing files updated, if needed.
- Combine was similar to synchronise except that no files would be deleted between the pairs. If a file on one side is out-of-date it is renamed then the newer file copied, so both the updated copy and the older version are retained in that folder. And any file deleted in either of the paired folders is not deleted in the other folder. Only copy (and rename) operations occur.
In November 2008 version 2.0 was released. This was a rewritten version built to use the Microsoft Sync Framework
Microsoft Sync Framework
Microsoft Sync Framework is a data synchronization platform from Microsoft that can be used to synchronize data across multiple data stores. Sync Framework includes a transport-agnostic architecture, into which data store-specific synchronization providers, modelled on the ADO.NET data provider...
. Compared to version 1.4 it included better support for unattended synchronization runs, x64 compatibility, support for synchronizing encrypted
Encrypting File System
The Encrypting File System on Microsoft Windows is a feature introduced in version 3.0 of NTFS that provides filesystem-level encryption...
files, file and folder exclusion based on both names and file types, renaming folder pairs and detection of drive letter reassignment. SyncToy 2.1 was released on November 10, 2009 and includes several minor enhancements and fixes for several bugs, including a serious issue where data on NAS
Network-attached storage
Network-attached storage is file-level computer data storage connected to a computer network providing data access to heterogeneous clients. NAS not only operates as a file server, but is specialized for this task either by its hardware, software, or configuration of those elements...
would be corrupted, and another where deletes would not be synchronised when in Echo mode.
See also
- File synchronizationFile synchronizationFile synchronization in computing is the process of ensuring that computer files in two or more locations are updated via certain rules....
- Comparison of file synchronization softwareComparison of File synchronization softwareThis is a list of file synchronization software. File synchronization is a process of ensuring that files in two or more locations are updated via certain rules.- Open source :This is a comparison of free and open source software.- Freeware :...
- Related Microsoft software:
- Windows BriefcaseBriefcase (Microsoft Windows)In Microsoft Windows, the Briefcase is a special folder that supports simple two-way file synchronization between itself and another folder. The Briefcase is designed for mobile PC users so that they may transfer it to a removable drive and have it synchronize with the computer to which the...
- Live Mesh
- RobocopyRobocopyRobocopy, or "Robust File Copy", is a command-line directory replication command. It has been available as part of the Windows Resource Kit starting with Windows NT 4.0, and was introduced as a standard feature of Windows Vista, Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008...
- Windows Live Sync
- Windows Briefcase
External links
- SyncToy 2.1 Download
- SyncToy Scheduling Article - Schedule SyncToy to Run Automatically and Repetitively.