What is file synchronization? Free automatic folder synchronization

File synchronization is the process by which two or more folders contain . When you add, delete or change a file in one folder, during synchronization it will be added, deleted or changed in all other folders.

In other words, the file synchronization mechanism is designed to work with data from different workstations synchronously, without using removable media– flash cards or disks.

The actual result of file synchronization is that the same version of a file with the most recent date it was created or modified is synchronized across all synced folders.

How to synchronize files and folders?

The essence of file synchronization comes down to registration on one of the so-called cloud services, allowing you to synchronize files, and then move user data to the server of such a service.

Currently, there is a rapid development of cloud services, which, in the fight for users, provide a variety of additional services. On average, services offer up to 10 GB of free cloud space to synchronize files. This volume is quite enough to store the most important information.

The most popular data storage services are Dropbox, SkyDrive, Yandex Disk, SugarSync, Mail.ru Cloud and Google Drive.
In order to synchronize all devices, you need to install a special program on each of them, which can be downloaded from one of the services. This program will create a user folder in which all documents will be stored. They will be uploaded to a special storage on the Internet, from which they will be available to the user anywhere in the world.

Using synchronization, you can ensure the identity of files on different devices, which are connected to the same cloud service. For example, if information changes in one of the files on the server, this file will be automatically updated on all computers connected to the synchronization service.

Benefits of data synchronization

The main benefit of synchronization is data protection. Even if the computer breaks down or the flash card is lost, the documents will be kept safe on the server.

Synchronization also opens up new opportunities for easy file sharing between users. To do this you need to send a link to required document, after which it will be available to another user.

Another key benefit of data synchronization is the ability to work with the same information across devices without having to worry about constantly moving it around.

Today my story will be dedicated to data synchronization programs between PCs and we will not be talking about cloud services, although some of the utilities provide such an opportunity. Those users who are interested in “clouds” like Dropbox, let them go to the article, and we will look at programs for creating local copies files and folders between user computers (on USB HDD, flash drives, local network etc.) without resorting to a remote server. This solution is suitable for people who doubt the safety of their data on the cloud service and its servers, located in an unknown location. Let's remember at least one of Apple founders— Steve Wozniak, who prefers to store data locally on the device, ignoring iCloud. It is precisely such users that this article on data synchronization will be devoted to.

GoodSync

For example, the GoodSync utility is so universal that it can work both regular program for backup, and as an intermediary between a local PC and cloud services for data synchronization, as well as a tool for working with files on two computers, making changes to data if they were made on any of the 2 PCs. Accordingly, you will always work with the current file. The connection between the user’s computers is carried out directly, using the GoodSync Connect function, that is, without the use of cloud services.

For the program to function properly, install it on those machines where you need data synchronization. To avoid confusion, each task has its own type - backup or synchronization. In the second case, changes in files from both computers or media used will be tracked. Other PCs with installed program GoodSync, your FTP server, computer from your home network or services with support WebDAV protocol, and the following cloud services: Google Drive, Microsoft SkyDrive, Windows Azure, Amazon S3 and Amazon Cloud Drive.

Having decided on the data source and storage location, you can analyze the files in the folders that you selected directly in the GoodSync program window so that you don’t miss anything before synchronizing. If found identical files or similar ones, by comparing them, you can choose the direction (from where) to copy them.

For those who like task automation, you can set up a data synchronization schedule with your PC. For example, before shutting down your PC or certain time. GoodSync is able to independently overwrite an old file with its new edition if necessary. If you have doubts about the correctness of file transfer over the network, the program allows you to compare checksums files.

I tried and worked with it for a long time different programs. Required to synchronize data from computers and external hard. First in manual version, as work progressed, the task became more complex, as did the number of synchronized folders and files and synchronization methods. Where did I start and what have I come to:
1). Microsoft SyncToy 2.1.
"+" - free, simple, quite convenient
“-” - it dropped several times and started synchronizing the wrong thing and in the wrong direction (obviously it was due to the fact that the amount and volume of synchronized information increased). Once again, after such a glitch, I read and searched for a long time and eventually opted for home-written programs
2) the simplest version of xStarter - by the way, it allows you to do a lot of things, again from written actions / scripts, etc. assemble it right away exe file, which can also be made into a service if desired. However, having suffered with rewriting, finishing, etc. (I just have a lot of “plans” for synchronizing directions and places of receipt, etc.), I switched to Allway Sync.
By the way, dropbox, etc. didn't fit for the reason - I don't like it big brother and paranoia in myself
3) Allway Sync.
"+" - Everything is good, convenient, etc. What I especially liked was the synchronization between one source and several “receiving” locations. Works like a clock, BUT
"-" - Doesn't work (at least when I worked with it) by threads, or rather one thread at a time, that is, there are, for example, several tasks: synchronize several different, unrelated folders with hard drive on the computer on external hard, and in the end it runs it all in parallel, as a result, if everything had been in one thread, it would have ended much faster, it also led to catastrophic results, because of which we later had to abandon it, this will be written about later ; It glitched a couple of times, but it was not critical, it will become critical when the volume is large. And in the end, when I got to the point where there were about 150,000 files in one of the folders and the volume of the folder was not small, Allway Sync simply could not stand it when I launched it in automatic mode when connecting a hard drive, synchronization. I had to run the tasks manually and one by one. I really didn’t like it, but I endured it for exactly that moment until it stopped synchronizing just one folder. As a result, I switched to GoodSync.
4) GoodSync. It took me a long time to get used to it, which after Allway Sync (which was understandable on an intuitive level) seemed terribly inconvenient, not informative, etc. Getting used to it took a long time, and not always successfully. I didn’t like that there was only one source and one destination. Allway Sync had multi-directional “multi-ended” tasks, and immediately had to split / duplicate tasks. One of the immediately noticed advantages was that now all tasks were completed in turn. For a long time I could not find (if not through the wizard to do tasks) a connection to a specific external hard drive. For some settings there is no normal description, and it is not always clear what they do. Some things still bother me, but precisely because it looks like I haven’t set it up myself yet, but I don’t want to waste time on tests, and they are absolutely not critical. Also a convenient thing to copy large quantity data when synchronization was not needed or was not used, but you need to copy it quickly and the data is almost the same. Over time, I got used to it and began to like it, it doesn’t make mistakes, it processes a number of files without problems and hasn’t made a mistake yet (for a couple of years), there is the possibility of “quick” analysis, md5 verification, copying attributes, etc. In general, my choice is GoodSync

Thanks, I'll try. Today I tried GoodSync - it seems to be a similar program.
But the strange thing is that it does not synchronize all the files from several thousand images; two dozen are not synchronized. GoodSync on the server does not see them on the client’s machine, although they are there.

Click to expand...

1) Question - maybe the filter is working? He is in general settings programs (common for all) and each task also has its own.
2) Also, when comparing, if there is an antivirus, it also blocks files if it considers that they have a virus or are suspicious
3) Set the "Copy blocked files" setting
I have never had any problems with synchronization using GoodSync. But I had to figure out the settings. By the way, there is a fairly sane manual with a FAQ for this program. And why did you notice that he didn’t synchronize some of the data? And try turning on md5. It will take noticeably longer, but you will check it and plus this method is more reliable. At least I think I've seen something like this - when you open a photo, but it opens only halfway, because... "rotten". At least you will be protected from this during synchronization. And then we had a case - the database archive was backed up, but in the end the file turned out to be broken (because it was simply copied, or rather recorded incorrectly)

Each of you can decide on the safety of this data in your own way. I suggest you take a look at how to secure these files using data synchronization.

My friend's laptop recently broke down. He hit it accidentally and it stopped turning on. It turned out that he flew hard drive, and all the important information was on it. Backup files he didn’t do it because he often forgot, sometimes he was lazy or it was simply difficult to keep track of all the documents. Then he had a lot of problems with information recovery. Now, knowing about synchronization, he is not afraid of anything.

Now you understand perfectly well that when it comes to storing data, relying only on your computer, disks and flash drives is very unreliable and unsafe. You can also take into account the human factor, when something is accidentally deleted, forgotten, lost...

If you have already started to have questions about the meanings of some words and phrases, you can always look at the section . I will be collecting answers to frequently asked questions there.

How to synchronize files and folders?

Synchronizing files and folders is actually easy. It all comes down to the fact that you need to register in one of these services, then download a special program to your computer. The program will create its own folder on your hard drive in which you need to place files for synchronization.

On this blog I tried to cover the most popular services file synchronization. You can find them at these links:

Nowadays there is a stormy development of cloud services, which in the fight for users they are trying to come up with unique chips and offer favorable conditions for using their services. On average it is offered approx. 5 gigabyte free cloud disk space to synchronize files. This is not so much, but for the most important files will be enough. Therefore, I recommend also taking a look at the article, where I tried to answer the question of which files are for you and which are unimportant. It will help you choose the right files for synchronization and backup.

The essence of synchronization

Data synchronization ensures the identity of the selected information on different devices that are connected to the synchronization service. If we take for example text document, then it will be the same on all your computers. If you add anything to this document, the file will be automatically updated on other computers. Synchronization occurs mainly via the Internet. To do this you need to install special programs to all the computers, tablets or smartphones you use, for example. The program will create a folder called Dropbox in which you will store your documents. They will be uploaded to special storage on the Internet, after which you will have access to them from anywhere on the planet via a web browser, smartphone or tablet.

The distinctive feature of data synchronization is that you no need to keep track of file versions with whom you work. You will always have the most latest version your document. Any file synchronization service allows you to upload your documents, photos, music and other files to cloud storage and then access them through programs for computers, tablets, smartphones, or simply through a web browser. In order to start using file synchronization you need to register and download the free file synchronization program. You can read about how to do this in the article about . And don’t let the English interface scare you, you can use a wonderful plugin for Google Chrome For quick translation incomprehensible words.

What benefits does data synchronization provide for ordinary users:

Firstly— data protection from loss of important information. You are not afraid of computer failure, loss of a flash drive, breakdown of hard disk. Your documents, photos, presentations, spreadsheets and other files will always be accessible from anywhere there is Internet access.

Secondly— you can easily share files with other people simply by sending them a link via email, VKontakte, Facebook or in any way convenient for you.

Thirdly— synchronization of computers via the Internet. You can start doing something on your work computer and continue where you left off on your home computer. Synchronizing data on two or more computers has become much easier.

Fourth— you don’t have to carry a flash drive with you all the time, often forgetting to put something on it. It is enough to know the login and password for the data synchronization service and your files will always be available to you via the Internet.

I never tire of repeating that with the modern rhythm of life, synchronization will not be superfluous. Nowadays it is especially easy to lose all your documents, files, photos due to the fact that computers have become mobile, they are easier to break or lose. Quite often, important documents just lie on the Desktop. But this won't bother you until you lose something important. So, to protect important information they will help you synchronization services

Folder and file synchronization programs help you keep updated copies of files and folders in different locations. It could be different computers, network drives, USB drives or online storage. While synchronization utilities can be used as a simple means of creating backups (called one-way synchronization), their real purpose is to maintain identical sets of files and folders in multiple locations.

An example would be maintaining current versions the same files on several of your computers that you use in different times(two-way synchronization). Folder synchronization utilities keep track of which files you have created, changed, or deleted. And, accordingly, they make these changes in other places.

Criteria for evaluating synchronization utilities:

A good synchronization utility should be able to do most of the following.

• Supports two-way file synchronization.
• Must be able to copy any folder or file, even if they are in at the moment time are used by other programs.
• Correct handling of conflicts. An example of a conflict would be changing the same file in two different places synchronization
• Keeping records of file deletions.
• Detection of the fact of file renaming.
• Support for filters and rules for fine tuning synchronization areas. An example would be to exclude certain file extensions from the synchronization process.
• Preview of all changes being made with the ability for the user to override any actions.
• Task scheduler and the ability to automatically detect and start synchronization when a synchronization location becomes available (for example, you inserted a flash drive).
• Maintain synchronization both on the local machine and on the network (for example, network folders).

There are many applicants in this class programs, but only a couple of them support most of the criteria.

Review of free programs for synchronizing files and folders

FreeFileSync file and folder synchronization program is the best choice

Allway Sync