How to solve the problem of file synchronization. Convenient file synchronization How to synchronize folders on different drives

Folder synchronization becomes a necessity when the user has several computers on which he works in different places. A file created on one PC must be transferred exactly to another. In this case, work on it can be continued continuously. If the Internet is available, this task is easily solved by cloud services, when the user has access to his files from any workplace. In this material we will consider options for implementing this task using operating system even when there is no network connection.

Synchronizing folders in Windows 7 can be done in several ways, depending on the type of media. To work over a network, you can use the Synchronization Center, and for removable media, the Briefcase function.

Briefcase

To create a new Portfolio, we will use the context menu. This can be done on the desktop or in any user folder.

In the created Portfolio we copy the folder with documents that need to be worked on at another workplace. Now you can move it to a flash drive and go to a second computer. Having connected the removable media, open the Briefcase and perform the necessary operations with the files. Having completed the work, we return to the first PC and synchronize the changes.

If at this time someone was working with the initial folder and making changes to previously created files, this will be reflected in the update menu. The box marked with a frame shows what operations will be performed to synchronize the content. In this case we have several options:

1. The file was created on the first PC and is not in the Briefcase.
2. Changes were made to the existing document on the second computer and now the original needs to be replaced.
3. The file was created on the second PC and must be copied to the original directory on the first.

By clicking on the “Update” button, we bring the contents of the directories on the computer and the removable media to the same state.

For each file, you can call the context menu and view details of the operations performed with it.

Changes made can be synchronized or left on one computer old version document.

This way you can organize work with a flash drive or with a removable hard drive, moved between workstations.

Offline files

The second option involves working with a network resource. For example, this could be a directory located on a NAS or other computer and open to public access. We select the desired resource in Explorer and find the folder in it that we will work with. In the context menu, select the item marked with the number “1”.

After the computer completes the first synchronization, open the folder properties. As you can see, the files in it have become available offline. Now you can work with them even when the network resource is unavailable.

Changes made can be transferred to the parent folder in manual mode or set up a schedule for this task. The second option is implemented using the Synchronization Center.

In the control panel we find the indicated item.

The Sync Center opens in the Manage Relationships tab. Having selected the “offline files” section, we will activate the “Schedule” button on the task panel.

We mark the network storage in which the desired directory with documents is located.

For example, let's choose event synchronization.

Here you can select multiple values ​​at the same time. Note that the operation is performed when the OS starts and is idle.

Assign a name to the created rule.

As a result, synchronization with the selected network storage will be performed according to the specified schedule. The last item in the Center navigation area opens options for managing offline files on your PC.

After finishing working with network storage, you can disable its use on the General tab.

The next tab shows data on the use of disk space for storing temporary copies. When you no longer need them, you can clear the disk of synchronization objects.

A common drawback of the considered tools is their inability to handle group work with documents. If edits are made to working files from two or more PCs at the same time, a conflict of changes occurs. In this case, the user is forced to manually select the required version of the document.

Windows 10

Network synchronization of files and folders in Windows 10 is performed using similar tools. Limited capabilities for working with folders have led to the fact that the Briefcase function is excluded from the set of components. Instead, the user gets the opportunity to use OneDrive network storage, which supports teamwork. Another available synchronization tool in Windows is the Microsoft SyncToy utility. With its help you can work with any local and network media.

SyncToy

Work on the utility was abandoned back in 2009, but it copes with the assigned tasks in modern versions of operating systems.

When you launch the program for the first time, the Link Creation Wizard is activated. Users are prompted to select “left” and “right” folders. This is how the developers “christened” the source and recipient.

The next step is to select the synchronization type. Three options are available:

1. Synchronize. Full synchronization of all completed file operations in both directions.
2. Echo. Copying changes made in the “left” folder to the “right” folder.
3. Contribute. Selective copying. Only new or changed documents are transferred from the source to the destination. Deleting files is ignored.

At the final stage, we set the name of the created connection.

In the main window we see a given pair of folders. If desired, you can change the selected synchronization type or set additional rules. Here you can delete the link or create an additional pair of directories. Clicking the marked button starts synchronization.

The progress of the operation is shown by an indication bar. Once completed, the window displays detailed execution statistics.

The utility supports creating an unlimited number of connections. Operations can be performed for everyone together or by selecting the currently required pair of directories.

Finally

As you can see, folder synchronization in Windows can be organized using built-in tools or using a special utility developed by Microsoft. Additional features needed for teamwork, can provide OneDrive cloud storage, which is a component of the system.

14 Mar

Good afternoon, dear blog readers! Today we will look at what seems to be the simplest operation - synchronizing folders with files. Basically, we are accustomed to the fact that the concept of synchronization applies to the Internet. Our mobile phones are constantly synchronized with Google and Apple services, work applications and a bunch of other things. Convenient, fast and safe. But what to do if you just need to synchronize two folders within the same computer?

Unfortunately, I did not find a standard procedure (except for writing a script in PowerShell). But a simple solution was found - the SyncToy program from the authors of the operating system itself Windows systems. This is what we will use to set up synchronization. The only negative is that it is in English. This is not so critical - you will see further that the settings are minimal.

The program window looks very simple:

To start synchronizing, you need to create a pair of synchronized folders - “Create New Folder Pair”. Click and go to the next window.

The left folder (main according to the standard) is where we will upload files. The right folder is where we will add them. I have two folders: SCAN (documents from the scanner arrive there) and the “For Everyone” folder (people go here to view documents). I need new files to fly from the “SCAN” folder to “For everyone” on command. Select accordingly and click “Next”.

In the next window you need to select the type of synchronization, there are three options to choose from:

• Synchronize— two-way synchronization, if an object is added to any of the folders, it will “fly” to another folder when synchronizing, deleting and renaming files will be performed for both folders;
• Echo— one-way synchronization, only from the left folder to the right, just my option, renaming and deleting files in the same direction;
• Contribute— one-way synchronization, only from the left folder to the right, renaming works from left to right, there are no file deletions.

We put a point opposite the desired option and click “Next”.

In the next window you will need to specify a name for the created pair of folders and click “Finish”.

The program's start window will change slightly. The name of the created pair of folders will appear on the left, and two buttons “Preview” and “Run”, “Preview” and “Run” will appear at the bottom right. They differ in function - “Preview” will show what will change, “Run” will synchronize folders.”

If you click “Preview” the following window will appear. For the purity of the experiment, I cleared the “SCAN” folder and put only one file “stores.xlsx” there. There is one file in the folder (it is marked with a checkmark), a window with the “New” operation (new file) is shown at the bottom left, the synchronization direction and the “Run” button are displayed at the bottom.

After clicking “Run” the window will be as follows.

“Completed” status and “Close” button. Synchronization is completed, all that remains is to check the result.

In the "Everyone" folder, two files are displayed - "stores.xlsx" and the synchronization file. Do not delete it under any circumstances! Works!

If you need to add a new pair of synchronized folders, in the main program window, click the “Create New Folder Pair” button and specify the desired settings.

After.What.was.said.

Automatically starting synchronization through the task scheduler is in the help window, but my advice to you is to do it manually, since the choice of time task scheduler is very poor.

Categories:// from 03/14/2018

Although, of course, there was a fly in the ointment. The program is paid, costs 600 rubles. The free version, after 30 days of use, allows synchronization of only 100 files and 3 tasks.

In general, of course, in the case of good software, 600 rubles is not a pity. On the other hand, I still tried to find something similar for nothing. 🙂

And I found it. - free software to synchronize files and directories.

Uses innovative algorithms to synchronize your data between personal computers, laptops, USB flash drives, etc. Allway Sync combines ironclad reliability and an extremely simple user interface.

Here the interface is not so pleasant, and the site itself is translated into Russian rather poorly. Also, the program cannot synchronize data via FTP, WebDAV or SFTP. But the required function is synchronized with USB flash drive she has. It does this no worse than GoodSync and is completely free.

I didn't find instructions on the site. Therefore, I’ll tell you where and what needs to be configured so that automatic synchronization works and you don’t have to remember about the program.

1. After starting the program, a new task will be created. Accordingly, you need to select folders for synchronization. In my case it's "C:\Workfiles" on the left side and "Z:" on the right. I’ll tell you why exactly “Z” later.

2. You can perform a manual analysis and first synchronization by clicking the appropriate buttons to make sure that everything is working correctly.

• When connecting a removable device
• After a certain period of time

Accordingly, synchronization will occur the moment you insert the USB flash drive into the computer, and Allway Sync will constantly monitor file changes every time a specified time has passed since the last check. If the files are different, synchronization will begin.

There are also several other synchronization time options; choose those that are convenient for you personally. In fact, the “When connecting a removable device” option alone will be quite enough.

Click "OK" to save the settings.

4. To ensure that the program loads every time you turn on the computer, select “View -> Settings... -> Application” in the top menu and check the box “Launch the application in the taskbar when you turn on the computer.”

Now the setup is complete. And then they brought me some document on another flash drive. So, what do we have here? Oops! All my top-secret work files were synced with someone else's flash drive!

To prevent this from happening, you need to change the drive letter of your working flash drive. For me it's "Z", although the "X" disc also sounds good. 🙂

To change the drive letter, insert your flash drive into the computer, with which you will synchronize. Then open "Start -> Control Panel -> Administrative Tools -> Computer Management -> Disk Management". Find the flash drive there, right-click, select “Change drive letter or drive path” and select any letter, but preferably closer to the end of the list.

Now Windows will assign this letter to your flash drive every time and synchronization will occur only with the desired device, and not with any.

After that, through the Allway Sync menu “File -> Export” you can save the program and task settings in order to import them on other computers with which synchronization is required.

Now I don't worry about important files. They are duplicated 3 times: on a flash drive, on home computer and on a work laptop. In addition, the data is synchronized and I always have an up-to-date copy. So I’m not afraid of the loss of a flash drive, the death of a hard drive, or system failures! 🙂

About two years ago I created a project - a small client program that can be installed on any device and simply synchronizes files.
For example, you could specify that documents would be synchronized between your home and work computers. Music and books between the home computer and phone. Backup between a home computer, a work computer and a server. This program could also control the subsequent distribution of any file on the system. That is, you, as the owner, could always find out the history of the file: copying to a flash drive, to another computer, by email, etc.

Then I almost already received funding, but the investment fund with which I worked at the last moment demanded a serious share in the business. And I decided that the game wasn’t worth the candle. And then somehow there was no time for that.

Yes, you say, there is cloud storage and why is it needed when there is Yandex.Disk, Dropbox and a bunch of cloud file storage services. Well, it’s just not always acceptable and convenient. Minuses:
1. You trust your files to a third party without any guarantees. (I’m not paranoid, but you wouldn’t leave your intimate data in such a storage facility)
2. To access them you need the Internet. And this in Russia is still not always possible with the required speed.

A holy place is never empty and the BitTorrent company released something similar, but in a stripped down form. Their program simply synchronizes files between different platforms and systems as soon as they go online or are within the same subnet. Unfortunately, you cannot flexibly configure synchronization rules, but there is an excellent client that is administered through either a native interface (WIndows, MAC OS X, Android, iOS) or a web interface (*NIX).

I no longer go to my mobile phone for photos, documents and music, and I don’t go to the server to get a rarely updated backup.
There are several folders on your home computer:
Telephone
Server
General
Auto

To put something on my phone, I just copy required file to the "Phone" folder. It will appear on my phone in a few seconds
To exchange documents with the guys at work, I put them in the general folder. And after a few seconds, this file will appear for all the people I need - locally and not in the cloud.

In the car, there is a Google Nexus as a media center, looking at the Internet via 3G. On my home computer I put navigation maps and music into the Auto folder. Everything is automatically folded into the car. From the Auto/recorder folder I take interesting moments captured by the video recorder (the device in the car is always online).
Saves a lot of time.

We wish BotTorrent success in the development of their wonderful project.
Download.
Available in Google Play Market and Apple AppStor. I think it will appear soon mobile version Windows.

PS
Thanks to Murin Sasha for the tip)