Microsoft's SyncToy Syncs Up Your Folders

SyncToy has been designed as a synchronization instrument that can handle multiple folders and bring update them with the latest versions of files. Whatever changes occur in one location, will be reflected in the other.

Backing up your data is a must these days. Every important file on your computer should be available in a safe spot locally, offline or in an online storage location. It is the safest way to eliminate the trouble of a system or disk failure aftermath. Frequent synchronization between the original and backup location ensures that all the data is up to date and should disaster strike you are prepared to roll out the backup and get back on track with little delay.

With SyncToy from Microsoft backing maintaining bringing two folders on the same level with regards to the latest version of files they store is an easy task. The application is free and a cinch to work with. The principle driving it is fairly simple: pair up two folders and choose one of the three actions at your disposal: synchronize, echo and contribute.

After you complete the installation procedure (which takes a bit longer than we expected because of an increased number of screens we had to go through) a very clear interface reveals. There are no frills to hinder working with it, just the functions you need.

In order to set up syncing between two folders you have to define their location by going through with the wizard-like configuration procedure. The two paths are labeled as “left folder” and “right folder” and of these depends the functionality of some of the actions the app can carry out; these are available in the next step of the configuration: synchronization, echo and contribute.

Each of these is explained in plain English when you get to pick one. Synchronization acts just like a mirror and all new data as well as updated items are copied from one part to another regardless of the location they originate first. Deleting or renaming the elements in one folder will also be reflected in the other.

Echo functions from left to right, meaning that whatever modifications occur in the “left folder”, they will be automatically occur in the right one, too. And this behavior applies for file renaming and deleting.

Contribute is the last option and it also works from left to right, only in this case only additions will affect the “right folder”. No modifications like renaming data or deleting it will be recorded in the second location.

In the third step of pairing up two folders you get to name it in order to instill some sort of order among them. Altering the name of the folder pair is allowed in the application either from the options at the bottom of the screen or from the context menu of the items in the side list.

For each folder pair you have SyncToy presents a set of options which permit you to apply some rules which govern the process of synchronization. Thus you can filter out files based on their format or on their type or attribute: system files, hidden data or read-only items. This is also the place where you can select which sub-folders should be included in the process.

One important feature Microsoft’s SyncToy makes available is the possibility to see the all the operations before they happen. The interactive preview window offers you the chance to pick the operations you want to be included in the synchronization procedure.

Each of the items presented in this screen is accompanied by details such as operation it will be part of, name, source path, target path and last modification date. Additionally, in the lower part of the pane you will have a summary of the entire synchronization process: list of all operations to be carried out file count, amount of bytes involved.

Putting the application at work is an easy thing as all you have to do is hit the “Run” button in the lower part of the screen. The entire process is transparent and you will be able to view what’s happening as well as stop it anytime you want to.

Supervision of the operations executed by SyncToy continues even after they have completed. The program stores logs on each session. Type of action carried out accompanied by time and date, folders involved, amount of time to finish the job as well as number of actions performed.

The objective SyncToy fulfills is simple, yet uncomfortable to achieve manually. The application offers an automated way to keep folders synchronized and updated with the latest files. One function missing in the application is scheduling. Planning synchronization operations in advance requires a third party tool.

The Good

SyncToy presents a straightforward interface which assists you through a wizard when pairing up folders. The set of actions, even if limited to three, covers the basic synchronization needs.

You can choose which subfolders should be taken into consideration when running the operation, as well as apply rules with the file formats you want to exclude or include.

Previewing before running a task is allowed, so you can see all the actions that will take place as well as the amount of files involved in the procedure and their size.

The Bad Size of the data processed by SyncToy is expressed in bytes. It would be nice to have the possibility to change it to MB.

There is no built-in possibility to schedule tasks for a specific moment in the future or to set them to run with a certain frequency.

The Truth

SyncToy makes for a reliable instrument when it comes to covering basic synchronization needs. It is not complex in features (FTP locations are not supported), but it allows you file transfer and synchronization of data both locally as well as in LAN locations.

It is easy to use and offers reports over the tasks it ran as well as preview of the activity, which allows you to make modifications in due time. Best of all, it is absolutely free of charge.