Author Topic: FreeFileSync - automated backup - Mini-Review (Read 90,878 times)

IainB · « **on:** February 18, 2012, 02:51 PM »

Original post: 2012-02-18
Last updated: 2016-12-15 (re: latest version; extended list of features.)
Basic Info
App Name [attach]

parttimecoder · « **Reply #1 on:** April 04, 2012, 04:50 PM »

Hi IainB

Thanks for taking the time to review this great sync utility. Over the years I have experimented with most paid, free and open source backup utilities, and was delighted at discovering this one. I have used it with a small backup project thus far and can say that it has just the right feature set so far. I have a client with a 40+Gb data set that I will test this with.

Again appreciated your review.

Redhat · « **Reply #2 on:** April 07, 2012, 03:17 PM »

Nice review IainB!

Sounds like a great program. Could you tell me please if FFS can backup to network shares, maybe WebDAV etc. for remote backup?

Thanks!

x16wda · « **Reply #3 on:** April 07, 2012, 03:25 PM »

Network drives - yes definitely. Anything else will work, I think, if you can get it to map as a drive letter (e.g., with ftpdrive, netdrive, etc).

kalos · « **Reply #4 on:** April 08, 2012, 12:14 AM »

Does it store different versions of the files for backup and archiving purposes?

IainB · « **Reply #5 on:** April 08, 2012, 01:02 AM »

Quote from: kalos on April 08, 2012, 12:14 AM

Does it store different versions of the files for backup and archiving purposes?

- I think this might answer your Q:

Quote from: IainB on February 18, 2012, 02:51 PM

It is highly customisable and includes real-time monitoring capability and maintenance of versions in the backups.

IainB · « **Reply #6 on:** April 30, 2012, 04:27 AM »

Just did a minor update to the review details in the opening post (now re version 5.2, as at 2012-04-30).

PhilB66 · « **Reply #7 on:** April 30, 2012, 07:55 AM »

Quote from: IainB on April 30, 2012, 04:27 AM

Just did a minor update to the review details in the opening post (now re version 5.2, as at 2012-04-30).

Thank you for this review, IainB. FreeFileSync installer is now powered by OpenCandy.

IainB · « **Reply #8 on:** April 30, 2012, 12:04 PM »

Quote from: PhilB66 on April 30, 2012, 07:55 AM

Quote from: IainB on April 30, 2012, 04:27 AM
Just did a minor update to the review details in the opening post (now re version 5.2, as at 2012-04-30).
Thank you for this review, IainB. FreeFileSync installer is now powered by OpenCandy.

@PhilB66. I knew that, but had forgotten to add it in to the review update. Thanks for reminding me! Done now.

PhilB66 · « **Reply #9 on:** May 01, 2012, 12:32 AM »

Quote from: IainB on April 30, 2012, 12:04 PM

Quote from: PhilB66 on April 30, 2012, 07:55 AM
Quote from: IainB on April 30, 2012, 04:27 AM
Just did a minor update to the review details in the opening post (now re version 5.2, as at 2012-04-30).
Thank you for this review, IainB. FreeFileSync installer is now powered by OpenCandy.
@PhilB66. I knew that, but had forgotten to add it in to the review update. Thanks for reminding me! Done now.

Good. There is no mention of OpenCandy on the FFS Website. Its SF page and the Readme file too fail to mention OC. I do not mind the "new" ad-supported installer trend at all but the developer should make it public knowledge. When it is done in a sneaky way, my trust is gone. I dumped FFS for that reason.

SKA · « **Reply #10 on:** May 01, 2012, 06:38 AM »

Use /NOCANDY parameter when starting the installation program, or use a portable package, to avoid installation with OpenCandy.

Ska

kalos · « **Reply #11 on:** May 01, 2012, 11:12 AM »

this program needs radical GUI redesigning :/

IainB · « **Reply #12 on:** July 11, 2012, 07:10 AM »

Just did a detailed update to the opening post review notes (now re version 5.5, as at 2012-07-11).

tomos · « **Reply #13 on:** July 11, 2012, 07:54 AM »

Quote from: IainB on July 11, 2012, 07:10 AM

Just did a detailed update to the opening post review notes (now re version 5.5, as at 2012-07-11).

were there any noticable differences between this and previous versions?
I see the forum and bug tracker are very active

IainB · « **Reply #14 on:** July 11, 2012, 11:09 AM »

Quote from: tomos on July 11, 2012, 07:54 AM

...were there any noticable differences between this and previous versions?...

No - nothing that I noticed, anyway. I was in a bit of a rush though, so could have missed something obvious.

tomos · « **Reply #15 on:** July 11, 2012, 11:54 AM »

Quote from: IainB on July 11, 2012, 11:09 AM

Quote from: tomos on July 11, 2012, 07:54 AM
...were there any noticable differences between this and previous versions?...
No - nothing that I noticed, anyway. I was in a bit of a rush though, so could have missed something obvious.

Just curious - it's good to know it's being updated and very actively supported

IainB · « **Reply #16 on:** September 13, 2012, 01:18 PM »

There's a comparison at MakeUseOf.com, between FreeFileSync vs. Microsoft SyncToy:
Is FreeFileSync Better Sync Software Than Microsoft SyncToy? [Windows]

Quote

...
The Verdict
FreeFileSync trumps SyncToy on all fronts. Perhaps it’s not surprising, given that SyncToy isn’t something Microsoft is focusing on – it hasn’t been updated since 2009. Maybe it’s time to take Microsoft SyncToy off our Best Of page and add FreeFileSync? I can’t see a reason to use SyncToy over FreeFileSync.

IainB · « **Reply #17 on:** October 30, 2012, 07:40 AM »

Just did a detailed update and added an image to the opening post review notes (now re version 5.8, as at 2012-10-30).

Ath · « **Reply #18 on:** October 30, 2012, 08:39 AM »

Quote from: IainB on October 30, 2012, 07:40 AM

Just did a detailed update and added an image to the opening post review notes (now re version 5.8, as at 2012-10-30).

Maybe you should have updated the original message subject as well...

IainB · « **Reply #19 on:** October 30, 2012, 10:18 AM »

@Ath: Thanks. There were several with a "wrong" date reference. Fixed now.

IainB · « **Reply #20 on:** November 10, 2012, 10:53 AM »

2012-11-10: Updates to the Opening Post (still doing a couple of minor changes), relating to:

The latest version is now 5.9.
A bit about my testing of the RealTimeSync module of FreeFileSync - it's very good!
Better comparison notes regarding other backup proggies, now including BeyondSync - briefly reviewed here.

cmpm · « **Reply #21 on:** November 10, 2012, 01:56 PM »

The OC deal is removed by Eset Nod32 during installation (after reboot).
While still allowing FreeFileSync to install.

FWIW, Eset catches some OC packages and some show up without being detected.
Some of their install wrappers are considered a threat, others are not, I suppose.

IainB · « **Reply #22 on:** January 04, 2013, 04:27 AM »

Just did a minor update to the review in the opening post. FFS is now up to version 5.10 - mostly fixes for Linux and/or Windows versions, no major new features.

tomos · « **Reply #23 on:** January 26, 2013, 08:46 PM »

Just installed FreeFileSync_5.11_setup.exe

I dont mind Open Candy, but this was sneaky imo:

[attachimg=#]

OC was already mentioned above, but the reason I'm posting about it again is because the option here is pre-selected.
Also, it's the last step and if you're not focusing/going too quick you might just think it's the 'I accept ...' terms for FreeFileSync itself, and just click install.

Just warning in case.
As said above, probably better installing the portable version and making your own shortcuts

tomos · « **Reply #24 on:** January 26, 2013, 09:09 PM »

I hadnt used the versioning before.

You have to designate/create a folder for older versions (see shot below).
It then recreates the folder structure (as necessary) within this folder

Very good

[attachthumb=#]

Original post:	2012-02-18
Last updated:	2016-12-15 (re: latest version; extended list of features.)