FreeFileSync (Open-Source)

[Curt]

Maybe also read "Backup Guide", for related matters.
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FreeFileSync 3.15
http://freefilesync.sourceforge.net/ or
http://majorgeeks.co...eFileSync_d6588.html

FreeFileSync is an Open-Source folder comparison and synchronization tool. It is optimized for highest performance and usability without restricted or overloaded UI interfaces.

http://freefilesync.....net/screenshots.php

FreeFileSync
Open Source Folder Comparison and Synchronization

How to use it?
    * 1. Choose left and right directories.
    * 2. "Compare" them.
    * 3. Select synchronization settings.
    * 4. Press synchronize to begin synchronization.

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How to use it? step 1:

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Key Features:

    * Compare files (bytewise or by date) and synchronize them.
    * No limitations: An arbitrary number of files can be synchronized.
    * Unicode support.
    * Network support.
    * Built-in support for very long filenames (more than MAX_PATH = 260 characters).
    * Synchronization database for propagation of deleted files and conflict detection

    * Support for multiple folder pairs with distinct configuration
    * Full support for Windows/Linux Symbolic Links and Windows Junction Points.
    * Lean & easily accessible UI: Highly optimized for speed and huge sets of data.
    * Algorithms coded in C++ completely.
    * All progress indicators optimized for maximum performance!
    * Create Batch Jobs for automated synchronization with or without GUI.

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How to use it? step 2:

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    *
          o Focus on usability: Only necessary functionality on UI: no overloaded menus or icon jungle.
          o Select all folders via drag & drop.
          o Last used configuration and screen settings are saved automatically.
          o Maintain and load different configurations by drag & drop, load-button or commandline.
          o Double-click to start external application (e.g. show file in Windows Explorer)
          o Copy & paste all grid data as text
          o Delete superfluous/temporary files directly on main grid.
          o Right-click context menu.
          o Comprehensive status information and error reporting
          o Sort file-lists by name, size or date.

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How to use it? step 3:

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    * Support for filesizes larger than 4 GB.
    * Option to move files to Recycle Bin instead of deleting/overwriting them.
    * Ignore directories "\RECYCLER" and "\System Volume Information" with default Filter. (Windows only)
    * Localized versions are available for many languages.
    * Delete before copy: Avoid disc space shortages for large sync-jobs.
    * Filter functionality to include/exclude files from synchronization (without requiring a re-compare!).
    * Include/exclude specific files from synchronization temporarily.
    * Automatically handle daylight saving time changes on FAT/FAT32 volumes.
    * Portable version available (selectable via installer).

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How to use it? step 4:

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    * Native 64-Bit version.
    * Check for updates from within FreeFileSync automatically.
    * Copy locked files using Windows Volume Shadow Copy Service. (Windows only)
    * Create regular backups with macros %time%, %date% within directory names
    * Copy file and folder create/access/modification times when synchronizing
    * Advanced locking strategy to allow multiple synchronization processes (e.g. multiple writers, same network share)

Another site by Sergio Rey at Tresdepoint
http://freefilesync.sourceforge.net/

[MilesAhead]

That looks very similar to the sync tool in FreeCommander.  I like the FC sync very much.  Since the current FC is 32 bit, it may have some shortcomings on a 64 bit system.  But if you are not dealing with redirected folders, just ordinary data folders, it works fine.

The mechanism in FreeCommander is very similar.  Additionally it has check boxes to include or not subfolders.  Also once you do the comparison, it indicates with arrows which files would be copied in which direction and you can uncheck any you don't want to include in the copy.  Very intuitive.

[sajman99]

Yep, FreeFileSync has been mentioned a few times around here--and for good reason. It's a nice reliable backup/sync tool.

Portable version is running fine here.

[sajman99]

It has just been a few days since the release of version 3.15, and already FreeFileSync 3.16 has been released.

Uh...I'm not seeing a change log anywhere on the mentioned sites. Can anyone comment on the specific changes?  Thanks.

[Curt]

http://sourceforge.n.../freefilesync/v3.16/

Changelog v3.16
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Fixed file copy issues on SAMBA shares
Small GUI fixes


Changelog v3.15
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Overwriting a file as fully transactional operation
Optimized synchronization speed (non-cached volumes, e.g. memory sticks in particular)
Volumes can be specified by name: [<volume-name>]\<path> (usecase: variable drive letters, RealtimeSync)
Copy NTFS compressed, encrypted and sparse file attributes
Copy NTFS compressed and encrypted directory attributes
Copy NTFS alternate data stream Improved performance: CSV export, copy to clipboard, sync log display Improved color theme support
Fixed crash on certain system text colors settings
Fixed progress numbers for manual deletion
Allow aborting manual deletion via escape key
Use relative name for file tooltip
Automatically redirect arrow keys to main grid
More tolerant directory creation (operation not supported/wrong parameter)
More tolerant file move: ignore existing files (user-defined deletion directory)
Added macro %weekday%

Source: README, updated 2011-04-20

-FreeFileSync

[sajman99]

Thanks very much! I'm in dire need of some sleep.

[IainB]

@Curt: Thanks for recommending this superb software.    
Just thought I'd add some notes to this thread.
Since making this post: Re: automated back up software
- I have continued using FreeFileSync to good effect.

There has been a recent update:

I am particularly enamoured of the versioning feature:

[Curt]

@IainB. I am glad you like it. But, ehh... please don't read something into my post that isn't there, so to speak. I don't recommend this program!!!, for the simple reason that I have never used it; I merely informed about it.  

Forgive me the poor joke!  

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I am using Sync Breeze Pro.

[IainB]

I did not know whether you had used it, and did not assume that you had.
But I did trial it and rapidly found it to be a great piece of software.
I had been trying quite a lot of backup/sync alternatives out.