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View Full Version : Microsoft SyncToy: That Syncing Feeling


Darius Wey
08-05-2005, 08:00 PM
<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=E0FC1154-C975-4814-9649-CCE41AF06EB7&displaylang=en' target='_blank'>http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...&displaylang=en</a><br /><br /></div><i>Increasingly, computer users are using different folders, drives, and even different computers (such as a laptop and a desktop) to store and retrieve files. There are new sources of files coming from every direction: digital cameras, e-mail, cell phones, portable media players, camcorders, PDAs, and laptops. Yet managing hundreds or thousands of files is still largely a manual operation. In some cases it is necessary to move files from one place to another; in other cases there is a need to keep two storage locations exactly in sync. Some users manage files manually, dragging and dropping from one place to another and keeping a mental card catalog in their heads. Others use one or more applications of one sort or another to provide this functionality for them."</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/wey-20050806-SyncToy.jpg" /><br /><br />I'm a synchronisation nut, but hey, being a Windows Mobile user, why wouldn't I be? Leaving my Pocket PC out of the equation, I have this deep obsession with keeping a set of folders synchronised between my server and my laptop. I'm the sort of person that does a lot of typing day and night, so with all the documents that gets saved on to my laptop, it's always nice having a backup copy on my server (just in case). That's where Microsoft SyncToy comes into play. When I learned of the beta release on Tuesday, I jumped on it in a flash - eager to see whether it would function the way I wanted it to. <!><br /><br />SyncToy features a great, user-friendly interface. Step 1 involves creating a folder pair. Step 2 involves defining a set of actions you want performed on each folder pair. For example, you can:<br /><br />• Synchronize: New and updated files are copied both ways. Renames and deletes on either side are repeated on the other. <br />• Echo: New and updated files are copied left to right. Renames and deletes on the left are repeated on the right. <br />• Subscribe: Updated files on the right are copied to the left if the file name already exists on the left. <br />• Contribute: New and updated files are copied left to right. Renames on the left are repeated on the right. No deletions. <br />• Combine: New and updated files are copied both ways. Nothing happens to renamed and deleted files.<br /><br />Sure, that all seems confusing at first, but you get used to it. SyncToy's preview function is also worth a mention. It allows you to preview any actions before they are initiated, and if you wish to make changes to the sequence of events, it's only a point-and-click affair. Overall, the transfer process is very quick - I managed to synchronise over 100MB worth of files over an 802.11g connection in a matter of seconds.<br /><br />Before you get all excited and ask, SyncToy <i>does not</i> work with the Pocket PC / Smartphone "Mobile Device" folder, since it's more of a virtual directory than anything else. Of course, that's a real shame, but not an issue you can say is a direct fault of SyncToy itself. It is still worth a look if you're after a quick, easy-to-use PC synchronisation tool. It requires Windows XP and the .NET Framework 1.1, and is a free download following Windows validation. Yes, you'll love that syncing feeling (no, not <i>sinking</i>). ;)

T-Will
08-05-2005, 08:09 PM
I'll have to check this out when I get home!

Will it automatically detect when you're connected to your home network and start the synchronization automatically?

Sven Johannsen
08-05-2005, 08:12 PM
Looks like a fairly straight forward answer to an old problem common to individual users with a desktop and laptop, or home and work desktops and a laptop. With a server environment, network based folders set up for offline access can take care of much of this.

I've been using an app from http://www.scootersoftware.com/ called Beyond Compare for something similar, but it is a bit more effort to set up it seems. Once set up, it's a one click thing though.

Shame MS didn't think to include syncing Outlook installations between a desktop and a portable device (laptop/tablet). I use my PPC to take care of that synchronization, but am hampered by the two partner limit on the PPC. Guess no one at MS has a desktop at work and at home and a laptop. :? Either that or they all just rely on Exchange to keep everything in one place, and they don't use notes or tasks or files.

lapchinj
08-05-2005, 11:13 PM
...Before you get all excited...
Too late I already am. This is beautiful. This is what I always wanted/needed.... I downloaded, installed and am now running the utility all within 5 minutes of reading your post 8) . I hope this will lead to the true sync'ng feeling of life as opposed to the sinking feeling I get when my docs go south.

Thanks, this was a great post. :ladysman: your great

Jeff-

Deemo
08-06-2005, 12:25 AM
Jason pointed me to what still seems to be one of the best solutions:

www.foldershare.com

lapchinj
08-06-2005, 12:26 AM
The utility ran extremely fast and two directory structures of about 14gb. The utility crapped out the first time because of directory/path depth of more than 260 chars (no big deal). The files are all there (I did a combine the first time) but the utility doesn't seem to sync empty directories which really shouldn't be a problem if nothing is in them. But I look at a directory as a file and it should really be there. Especially in a development environment where directories can be empty but become important during a build. I'll have to look into this in order to get a handle on it. I guess I'll start on the MS site.

Otherwise it ran flawlessly. Definately worth the download. I sync'd these folders across drives so I now have a hot (sort of) backup on different hardware. Now let's see what MS has to say about adding scheduling.

:alfdance: There couldn't be happier way to start a weekend off :alfdance:
(well maybe a lottery could...)

Jeff-

lapchinj
08-06-2005, 12:39 AM
Jason pointed me to what still seems to be one of the best solutions:

www.foldershare.com
Yeah I looked into that also - very nice. But what this solution affords me is a simple way of keeping folders sync'd up as opposed to being able to access my files from anywhere in the world. The biggest problem I had with FolderShare was using company bandwidth. They would complain when the bandwidth meter would rise when I would VPN in and try and transfer files. The red tape and the explanations were too much to handle so I dropped the whole thing.

Jeff-

Deemo
08-06-2005, 01:02 AM
Jason pointed me to what still seems to be one of the best solutions:

www.foldershare.com
Yeah I looked into that also - very nice. But what this solution affords me is a simple way of keeping folders sync'd up as opposed to being able to access my files from anywhere in the world. The biggest problem I had with FolderShare was using company bandwidth. They would complain when the bandwidth meter would rise when I would VPN in and try and transfer files. The red tape and the explanations were too much to handle so I dropped the whole thing.

Jeff-

All I use Foldershare for is the syncing capability - especially nice for sync'd Bookmarks in IE (the other function being my consulting timesheets and invoices) and for two folders it's free.

For file access it's still PCAnywhere or Remote Desktop. I can't see why they would complain unless you were syncing all your mp3's etc.
I think the main thing to do is not get carried away with too many files/folders - set up a "sync'd My Documents" with just a few files.

OSUKid7
08-06-2005, 02:04 AM
Now let's see what MS has to say about adding scheduling.
You can already do scheduling. :) See the help file under SyncToy How To Topics > Scheduling SyncToy.

I scheduled mine for 4AM daily syncs, so I'll see how well it works tonight.

Deemo
08-06-2005, 02:34 AM
Hhhmmmmmm......you can only share over your own network or attached storage devices :(

I was hoping you could share between two non-networked PC's like you can with Foldershare.

Am I missing something here??? :?:

OSUKid7
08-06-2005, 02:47 AM
Hhhmmmmmm......you can only share over your own network or attached storage devices :(

I was hoping you could share between two non-networked PC's like you can with Foldershare.

Am I missing something here??? :?:
Nope, it's just how the application works. There's no Internet-portion for the SyncToy app. Even with Foldershare, the computers have to be "networked" via the Internet.

T-Will
08-06-2005, 02:49 AM
Is there a way to set it so when it detects you're on a specific network it will run the synchronization?

Deemo
08-06-2005, 03:03 AM
Even with Foldershare, the computers have to be "networked" via the Internet.

Well obviously at some point :pukeface2:
How can you say "even with Foldershare".......these are quite different beasts.

threedaysdwn
08-06-2005, 03:04 AM
"Mobile Devices" isn't a virtual directory, it's not a directory at all...

It's a namespace shell extension (like our Windows Desktop Search extension, among others). That's why you can't use it like a folder.

You could, of course, have the Sync program put files in your Mobile Documents or whatever it's called to sync to the device. My only problem with that is that you can only sync files to the main memory, not an SD card or what not =/

Darius Wey
08-06-2005, 03:17 AM
"Mobile Devices" isn't a virtual directory, it's not a directory at all...

I used the word, "virtual", as a means of simplification for the wide reader base. I know it goes against the true definition of a "virtual directory", but let's steer clear of that path. :)

You could, of course, have the Sync program put files in your Mobile Documents or whatever it's called to sync to the device. My only problem with that is that you can only sync files to the main memory, not an SD card or what not =/

Precisely. ;) This program was never meant to work with a mobile device. If you're after a more robust Pocket PC file sync solution, there are applications like MightySync.

smd
08-06-2005, 09:51 AM
Does anyone know how it handles a failed sync?

Arne Hess
08-06-2005, 10:35 AM
Does anyone know how it handles a failed sync?
This is a Microsoft product and therefore there is no case like "failed sync". ;-) In case it happens anyway you have to handle it yourself with pressing three keys only CTRL+ALT+... ;-)

Back to your question - I have no idea but I've used it for the past days now several times a day and it worked great. Haven't had a failed sync yet but for sure, sooner or later it will happen and I wonder too what will happens.

OSUKid7
08-06-2005, 01:08 PM
Looks like my scheduled task ran great last night. :) Interesting though, in Scheduled Tasks, the "Last Result" of that task is "0x5," yet Event Viewer shows no warnings for it in the Application event log. Maybe a few files failed and that isn't recorded the application log?

edit: ah yes, actually I do see some failure notices in the second of three SyncToy entries now:
SyncToy run took 02:34:30.
Copied 37,524,534,800 bytes in 42,938 files in 02:34:30.
Bytes per second 4,047,646.9, files per second 4.6.
Avoided copying 14,266,275,060 bytes in 20,456 files that did not require action.
Saved approximately 00:58:44 by not copying all files.
Warning: 6 failures occured.

timmy
08-06-2005, 01:14 PM
I have used SyncBack in the past, which is freeware as well, if you guys wants some alternatives...Seems also like there is a commercial version as well now with extended features.

http://www.2brightsparks.com/index.html

/Timmy

OSUKid7
08-06-2005, 01:19 PM
I have used SyncBack in the past, which is freeware as well, if you guys wants some alternatives.
Yeah, I tried SyncBack a few months ago, but I have to say, SyncToy worked a lot better (and faster) the first time I ran it.

Use whatever works for you. Backups are important. :)

tregnier
08-06-2005, 09:14 PM
I love SyncToy...just what I need when I move stuff around. Sometimes I like to work on my notebook on the patio. Makes it easy to just work off a USB flash drive. I don't have to remember which files in a folder that I've worked with.

Years ago, I used the Briefcase option in Windows to do the same thing. It disappeared in recent versions of Windows...at least I can't find it.

SyncToy, BTW, is not an MS product but rather one done by a third party.

OSUKid7
08-07-2005, 01:38 AM
Years ago, I used the Briefcase option in Windows to do the same thing. It disappeared in recent versions of Windows...at least I can't find it.
It's still there. Right click in any folder (including the desktop) > New > Briefcase. :)

lapchinj
08-07-2005, 03:39 AM
...You can already do scheduling. :)...
Man-O-Man :oops: I've used that so many times I don't know why I didn't think of it. I guess I just looked in the available menu options and figured it wasn't there and just shut down my brain a little too early.

Thanks - that was beautiful
Jeff-

Darius Wey
08-07-2005, 03:44 AM
Man-O-Man :oops: I've used that so many times I don't know why I didn't think of it. I guess I just looked in the available menu options and figured it wasn't there and just shut down my brain a little too early.

You might want to have a flip through the help files if you get round to it. It's quite detailed and you might pick up a couple of neat tricks you may have thought were not possible previously. :)

OSUKid7
08-07-2005, 03:45 AM
Glad I could help. :) I love how it logs it to Event viewer so I can keep track how the nightly syncs go. :)

lapchinj
08-07-2005, 03:45 AM
Does anyone know how it handles a failed sync?
Yeah I had a failed sync the first few times I ran it and it recovered nicely. Although I haven't had my computer reboot in the middle of a sync I did have errors arise before the actual copy is done. It seems that SyncToy makes a plan of what it has to do and if it can do it. If it can't then it just gives you a message.

Sorry I could only give a half an answer

Jeff-

lapchinj
08-07-2005, 03:59 AM
...For file access it's still PCAnywhere or Remote Desktop. I can't see why they would complain unless you were syncing all your mp3's etc...

Yeah remote desktop has worked fine for me. But the company that I for until very recently had outsourced their 12,000 plus servers in North America to Perot Systems and I was always having problems transfereing files (no MP3's). If a file or files were too big a report was made to my site manager of the offending IP address and the bandwidth being used 8O . Then we would have to unruffle feathers and ask for permission to move these large chunks of data. Of course it would have to be done at night so forget about moving MSDN subscription downloads for our beta testing. Really screwed up our work routine. I just started bringing my pajamas with me.

Ahhh! the joys of progress :silly: .

Jeff-

lapchinj
08-07-2005, 04:04 AM
...You might want to have a flip through the help files if you get round to it...
Yeah I think that's a great idea. I think I'll dump it out into a pdf and load it onto my x50v (and also print it out). Seems like a perfect read for a the ride on the bus.

Jeff-

Rob Alexander
08-07-2005, 04:49 AM
8O Okay, it's free so I get that part, but why all the excitement about what it does? There are many free and inexpensive programs that have been doing this for years. I'm surprised that everyone is only now discovering how valuable this concept is... and it really is valuable.

I've used Second Copy (http://www.centered.com/) since 1999 and it has been totally reliable with both easy set up for simple tasks and all the customization you could ask for if you're looking to do something more complicated. It'll even keep a user-specified number of copies of older files that it deletes for added security in case you want to recover an earlier version of something you altered and then synched into oblivion.

I use it to synchronize between my home and work computers using a tiny 60GB USB HDD. Synching this way has the added benefit of creating an automatic backup system since there are 2-3 current copies of every work file in 2-3 different locations.

I can't tell you that you should pay money for Second Copy instead of using the free one from MS -- only you know what your data is worth -- but I can tell you that, in more than 5 years of use, it has never crashed, lost a file or otherwise misbehaved. These files are my work product, so when it comes to trusting a program to accurately synch the right file and delete only those that are really supposed to be deleted, I'll stick with a program that has a proven track record.

lapchinj
08-07-2005, 01:53 PM
8O Okay, it's free so I get that part, but why all the excitement about what it does? There are many free and inexpensive programs that have been doing this for years...
Yeah I just downloaded a copy to look at. Especially coming with a track record of 5 years Second Copy is worth an install. But so far SynchToy is doing everything I ever wanted and I'll probably stay with it. I don't need much and it seems to fit the bill.

I guess all my excitement about SynchToy is because I never really found anything that would do just what I wanted. Not that I turned over every rock or googled on the subject but I've tried a whole mess of products that I've heard about. I've never heard about Second Copy or some of the others being mentioned here but they are all worth a look and see.

Jeff-

Rob Alexander
08-08-2005, 03:18 AM
8O Okay, it's free so I get that part, but why all the excitement about what it does? There are many free and inexpensive programs that have been doing this for years...

I guess all my excitement about SynchToy is because I never really found anything that would do just what I wanted. Not that I turned over every rock or googled on the subject but I've tried a whole mess of products that I've heard about. I've never heard about Second Copy or some of the others being mentioned here but they are all worth a look and see.

Good point. I can remember when I first started doing this. I was using an Iomega Jazz drive to carry stuff back and forth between work (college professor) and home. I spent a long time never being able to keep straight which files I'd worked on where, and which was the newest version. Then one day, I discovered that I'd copied the older file over the newer of the same name and lost hours of work :bangin: , so I set out to find a solution. I tried about half a dozen programs, but none were even close to Second Copy in simplicity and power and I've been using it ever since. It has really changed my life in giving me the ability to work on anything in either location, confident in knowing that I have the exact same files on both computers and that any work I do will automatically be moved to the other location. :way to go:

But in fairness, I went along without such a solution for some years before that happened, and without that crisis I might now just be hearing about this idea and thinking how great it is. So let me apologize. :oops: Rather than saying 'how come you didn't know this?', let me say... whatever program you use, if you regularly move files back and forth between two computers, you really, really, should set up a sync system like this. Once you do, you'll wonder how you ever lived without it. 8)

lapchinj
08-08-2005, 02:44 PM
...I was using an Iomega Jazz drive to carry stuff back and forth between work (college professor) and home... Once you do, you'll wonder how you ever lived without it. 8)
Yeah I did Jazz, 100mb, 250mb, 750mb and then finally went to CF cards. I used all that for my sneaker-net backup and taking files to and from a client's site. Now I use only my laptop and digital media when going to a client.

I was looking at something like FolderShare since with all the preparation I do before going to a client's site I always forget something. But with all the different servers I have at home for development I think it's time to bite the bullet and create some access to one of them. I hope that SyncToy now doesn't put a kink into doing this.

I never really got burnt overwriting newer files with older ones even though there were more than enough times I had to spend time looking at which files contained my latest changes. The biggest pain I had is not taking along to a client's site the latest files that I need for a project. My laptop is supposed to be have an exact copy of my dev machine's projects but there is always something missing. Like you did I should have looked for a solution a long time ago. (should'ah, could'ah, would'ah but in the end I didn't). At least now with SyncToy I can be sure that my laptop will now be in sync with my dev machine.

jeff-

jneely
08-08-2005, 06:26 PM
Anyone interested in doing this in a more scripted way may find ROBOCOPY useful. It's been a FREE part of the Windows Resource Kit for many years and is a standard tool in most IT professionals toolkits.

Here is a nice summary of the command line syntax (it is VERY powerful and VERY efficient):
http://www.ss64.com/nt/robocopy.html

And here is a sample script for mirroring data:

@ECHO OFF
SETLOCAL

SET _source=\\FileServ1\e$\users\

SET _dest=\\FileServ2\e$\BackupUsers\

SET _what=/COPYALL /B /SEC /MIR
:: /COPYALL :: COPY ALL file info
:: /B :: copy files in Backup mode.
:: /SEC :: copy files with SECurity
:: /MIR :: MIRror a directory tree

SET _options=/R:0 /W:0 /LOG:MyLogfile.txt /NFL /NDL
:: /R:n :: number of Retries
:: /W:n :: Wait time between retries
:: /LOG :: Output log file
:: /NFL :: No file logging
:: /NDL :: No dir logging

ROBOCOPY %_source% %_dest% %_what% %_options%


I use this to backup all of my workstations to a server on my home network on a regular basis. You can easily schedule it too with Windows scheduler.

Another similar commercial tool is also available: XXCopy. It has even a few more capabilities than ROBOCopy.

Jonathon Watkins
08-11-2005, 01:02 PM
I've used Second Copy (http://www.centered.com/) since 1999 and it has been totally reliable with both easy set up for simple tasks and all the customization you could ask for if you're looking to do something more complicated.

I've also been using Second Copy as well for many years. It's well worth the money as it gives you soooo much control. It has not let me down yet and is a great semi-backup and archival solution.

mrmagoo
08-12-2005, 07:38 PM
I've used Second Copy (http://www.centered.com/) since 1999 and it has been totally reliable with both easy set up for simple tasks and all the customization you could ask for if you're looking to do something more complicated.

I've also been using Second Copy as well for many years. It's well worth the money as it gives you so much control. It has not let me down yet and is a great semi-backup and archival solution.

I've also been using Second Copy for three years. I use the software to automatically backup my wife's laptop and my desktop computer onto my file server. I've stopped making CD or DVD backups of my digital photos/movies because Second Copy does a great job of performing the autobackup.

Second Copy has saved me twice. Once when my harddrive that contained all of my digital photos/movies died and a second time when my wife's laptop harddrive died. It was just a simple matter of installing new harddrives (well, my wifes laptop drive needed to be reimaged first using an old Norton ghost image), and copying all of the backed up files over onto the new drive.

twestley
08-12-2005, 09:20 PM
I'll download and try SyncToy. I can't imagine that it's better than Beyond Compare (http://www.scootersoftware.com) which not only syncs folders but also compares and edits files. It syncs folders on your local and network drives (of course) but can also open and sync zip files and ftp sites. I use it all the time for comparing files, folder sync, server backups, laptop sync, and updating my website. It also supports plugins so you can sort of compare Excel and Word files. It is also scriptable.

However, Beyond Compare cannot access the Mobile Device "folder." One way you could make it work for Pocket PC sync is to build an FTP server that runs on the PC. It would use ActiveSync to convert and transfer files back and forth to Pocket PC. I can't find such a thing, so I'll probably build it one of these days. To make it better than ActiveSync, you'd want it to have access to memory cards and internal ROM and RAM.

If SyncToy is Way Beyond Compare, then I'll switch to it.

midtoad
08-12-2005, 10:14 PM
Hmm, this SyncToy sounds quite a bit like a version of rsync for Windows, since rsync can do most of what SyncToy does. Are there any users of rsync here that have tried SyncToy and would like to comment on the differences?

S

EricR
08-13-2005, 12:25 AM
Will any of these programs work with two computers (notebook and desktop) both sync'ing with our office server?

Thanks,

EricR

twestley
08-13-2005, 01:16 AM
Will any of these programs work with two computers (notebook and desktop) both sync'ing with our office server?

I use Beyond Compare every day for backing up desktop to server, then server to laptop which I then take home. It works really well and is very fast. I do it explicitly rather than by schedule.

OSUKid7
08-13-2005, 01:31 AM
Will any of these programs work with two computers (notebook and desktop) both sync'ing with our office server?
SyncToy should do that just fine. I'm currently sync'ing between my laptop (main computer now), external hard drive (for backups), and Tablet PC. I'll soon be adding my family's computer and my desktop computer into the mix. :)

wallyc
08-16-2005, 08:16 AM
Hi everyone,

Saw this interesting thread. Thought that I should share this fantastic and reliable tool which I have been using for years.

TreeComp
http://www.xs4all.nl/~lploeger/TreeComp3.htm

Downside : There's no command-line option and you can't schedule it.

Will certainly check out MS's new toy. :D

Cheers!

lapchinj
08-23-2005, 02:34 PM
...I've used Second Copy (http://www.centered.com/) since 1999 and it has been totally reliable with both easy set up for simple tasks and all the customization you could ask for if you're looking to do something more complicated. It'll even keep a user-specified number of copies of older files that it deletes for added security in case you want to recover an earlier version of something you altered and then synched into oblivion...
I know that this thread is a little old but I just thought that I'd update it a little. I had to try some of the sync apps that have been posted and I tried Second Copy which came so highly recommended by Rob (where were you all this time :wink: ). I ended up buying it mainly because it's so intuitive, error messages are really "why not do this instead" dialog popups (error dialogs that do nothing but say "Sorry, you can't do that" is just programmer lazyness. Errors should be handled and alternatives given either transparently or asking the user) which was truely a breath of fresh air and the fact that I can set deleted files to be held for a certain amount of time. When I rolled my own sync app (copy, cut and paste by hand) I always ended up with too many copies of deleted files and more often than not just nuking them because I was in a rush or some other stupid reason.

Even if it doesn't fit everyone's needs I thought that I would pass on the info in case anyone was interested in looking at it.

Jeff-

Darius Wey
08-31-2005, 10:00 AM
The final version of SyncToy has just been released. More information here: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=e0fc1154-c975-4814-9649-cce41af06eb7&amp;DisplayLang=en