There are some situations that you need to perform file or folder synchronization between different data locations. One of the most common ones is sync files to external hard drive to keep data safe. Surely, some users want to sync files to Cloud drives or sync external drive to Cloud to protect data or share files with others. No matter choosing which method, the purpose is to ensure data safe. Then, how do you sync files and folders in Windows 10/7 in simple and secure way?
Sync Folders Pro is an easy-to-use app for beginners, has the ability to fine-tune synchronization settings for the most exacting professionals. Sync Folders Pro is perfect for backups to external storage devices including: USB, memory cards, disks on remote computers within your network, folders on Cloud services (Dropbox, etc.). Download SyncToy by clicking on the Download button below. SyncToy Installation Notes: Upgrade: - If upgrading from an earlier version of SyncToy (e.g. SyncToy 1.4 or SyncToy 2.0), it is.CRITICAL. to ensure that all folder pairs are fully synchronized using the previous version before running SyncToy 2.1 setup.
Windows sync files between folders using SyncToy
SyncToy is a free sync tool that is designed by Microsoft. It helps you sync files and folders between different data locations or devices. SyncToy is a good tool for less experienced computer users due to its graphical user interface. Let’s get to know how to make Windows 10 sync folders between drives with this free tool.
1. Download and install SyncToy as instructed. Launch it.
2. Click on Create New Folder Pair beneath.
3. Choose the folders you want to sync, the Left Folder for the source folder and the Right Folder for the destination folder. Click Browse to select.
4. Select sync mode in “What do you want to do?” step. Here are three options available, Synchronize, Echo and Contribute. Get to know them and choose the right one for yourself. For your information, Echo is the most common used one.
5. Now, name the folder pair to distinguish. Click Finish to exit the wizard and you’ve done.
Tips: • You can rename and delete existing folder pair. • You can create another new folder pair by repeating above steps if the need ever arises. • You can schedule SyncToy in Windows 10 or Windows 7 with the help of Task Scheduler.
It is very easy to keep Windows sync folders between different drives or on the same drive. Nevertheless, you need to turn to other sync tools in some cases.
For example, you find SyncToy not copying all files or not syncing subfolders during the process. Or, you want to perform a real-time sync task, not just regular sync mode in Task Scheduler. Further, if you want to sync more than one folder to the same place, you need to create more than one folder pair. Fortunately, you can remedy those regrets in another way.
How to sync two folders in Windows 10/8/7 in easier way?
AOMEI Backupper Standard is free backup & restore tool that embeds with powerful File Sync feature. The feature allows you to synchronize files and folders from one drive to another drive, even on different disks. You have choices to sync files to external hard drive in Windows 10 or Windows 7 with Daily, Weekly, Monthly modes. The Event-trigger and Real-time modes are also available in Professional editions.
In addition, you can sync folders to Cloud drives (see: sync local folder to OneDrive), NAS and network share folders with the help of this software. Also, syncing files between desktop and laptop is supported. You may want to give it a shot.
1. Free download and install AOMEI Backupper. Start it to get in the main console.
3. Click on Add Folder to add the source folder (i.e. the Left Folder in SyncToy). All subfolders will be synced by default.
4. Click the second column to add the destination folder (i.e. the Right Folder in SyncToy). Or, click the inverted triangle at the end of the second column to add network locations.
5. Click Schedule to set Daily, Weekly, or Monthly mode.
6. Click Start Sync to sync files right now or at the next schedule time.
Tips: • Click Options to set email notification if you want to. • You are allowed to manage all sync tasks in Home tab. • It is not allowed to sync files or folders to CD/DVD/Blue-Ray. • To sync files to network location in real-time mode, please upgrade to Professional edition.
Summary
Two easy ways are provided to make Windows sync folders between drives in Windows 10 and Windows 7. Syncing files to external hard drive can be achieved easily as well. AOMEI Backupper also allows you to backup laptop to Cloud in simple and secure way.
Summary :
File synchronization is a good way to keep data safe. But do you know how to sync file to other locations with ease in Windows 10/8/7? This post shows you the easiest way to sync file with the best file sync software – MiniTool ShadowMaker.
Quick Navigation :
What Is File Synchronization?
Sync 3.2 Update
File synchronization is a way to sync files and folder to other locations such as external hard drives or USB drives so as to keep data safe.
There are two different types of file synchronization including the one-way file synchronization and the two-way file synchronization. The one-way file synchronization is called mirroring. In the one-way file synchronization, the files are copied from the source location to one or more locations but the files are not copied back to the source location.
That is to say, the files are expected to change in one location only. In order to reconcile the changes, the synchronization process can only be one direction.
On the other hand, in the two-way file synchronization, the files are copied in both directions, which means that the files are expected to change in both locations and they are considered equivalent.
And nowadays, file synchronization has become increasingly popular because it is an effective way to keep data safe.
Thus, do you want to make a file synchronization so as to protect your files and folders? Or do you know how to sync files and folders with ease in Windows 10/8/7?
In the following part, we will show you the answers.
How to Sync File with MiniTool ShadowMaker?
As a matter of fact, making file synchronization can be very easy as long as you take advantage of the useful tool.
In order to sync files and folder, the best file sync software – MiniTool ShadowMaker is strongly recommended. It is a piece of professional and reliable free sync software.
Tip: MiniTool ShadowMaker belongs to one-way file synchronization.
MiniTool ShadowMaker can help you to easily sync files and folders with its powerful features. In addition, in order to provide better protection for your data and files, MiniTool ShadowMaker also enables you to sync files and folders periodically.
Of course, besides the file synchronization features, MiniTool ShadowMaker is also a professional backup tool which enables you to back up files, folders, partitions, the entire hard disk, and even the operating system. And you can read the post Easily & Free Create a Windows 10 Image Backup Now – MiniTool to learn how to create Windows 10 system image.
What’s more, MiniTool ShadowMaker also enables you to perform some recovery solutions when some accident occurs.
So in order to keep data and files safe, you can download the file synchronization software – MiniTool ShadowMaker Trail from the following button which can be used for free within 30 days. Or you can choose to purchase an advanced edition.
And, we will show you how to sync files and folders with the best free file sync software.
Step 1: Install the Windows file sync software and launch it, click Keep Trial, and click Connect in This Computer to enter its main interface.
Tip: You can also manage the remote computer as long as they are on the same LAN.
Step 2: After entering its main interface, please go to the Sync page to continue. You need to click Source module and check the files or folders you want to sync in the popup window. Then click OK to continue.
Step 3: Next, you are required to choose a destination path. MiniTool ShadowMaker, the free sync software, chooses a synchronization destination by default. You can also click the Destination module to change.
In the popup window, you can see there are five destination paths to be chosen including User account, Libraries, Computer, Network, and Shared folders. Thus, you can choose any one depending on your own needs and click OK to continue.
Tip: It is suggested that you should choose an external hard drive as the destination.
Step 4: After selecting the synchronization source and destination, click Sync Now to perform the file synchronization action immediately. Or you can click Sync Later to delay the file synchronization and then start the file synchronization task in the Manage page.
Step 5: When all steps are finished, you have successfully completed the file synchronization. And if you need to restore the files when some accidents happened, you can go to the Restore page and click Locate to find the target files.
Note: If the file synchronization task is not listed here, you can click the Add Backup button to add it to this page.
Now, you have successfully performed file synchronization. In order to keep data safe, you had better download the best file sync software – MiniTool ShadowMaker.
And here, there are some things you need to pay attention to. You may have noticed there are two buttons which are Schedule and Options at the bottom of the Sync page. The Schedule button allows you to set the file synchronization on a regular basis and the Options button provides some advanced file sync parameters.
You can see there are four options including Daily, Weekly, Monthly, and On Event in the popup window after clicking the Schedule button. And you can set the automatic file sync time and click OK to continue.
For more information, you can read the post: Automatic Backup Software, MiniTool ShadowMaker, for PC Protection
After clicking the Options button, you can get some advanced file sync parameters.
Comparison
The folder sync software – MiniTool ShadowMaker enables you to compare the synchronization source and the target file through the file time, file size, and file content. The File time and File size are checked by default and checking File content will increase the backup time.
Filter
When you set the automatic file sync, MiniTool ShadowMaker enables you to set some exclude conditions to filter backup files. If you want to exclude some files, you can check them.
In the above part, we have introduced some main features of the file sync software – MiniTool ShadowMaker. In order to keep data safe, MiniTool ShadowMaker would be competent with its powerful features. It also enables you to make a sytem restore.
The problem of system restore did not complete successfully may be caused by different reason. This article shows you how to solve different system restore errors.
Another File Sync Software – Windows Sync Center
In addition, some of you want to use Windows best free file sync software, Sync Center for file synchronization. Sync Center allows you to sync files between your PC and offline files which are saved in the folders of the network servers.
And now, we will show you how to use the Windows files sync software – Sync Center to sync files step by step with pictures.
How to Open Sync Center?
In order to sync files and manage offline files with the Windows snap-in tool – Sync Center, you need to open Sync Center firstly.
And here, we will show you how to perform file synchronization and manage offline files.
Step 1: Type Control Panel in the search box of Windows 10 and choose Sync Center in the popup window to continue.
Step 2: In the popup window, choose Manage offline files in the left pane to continue.
Step 3: In the popup window, click Enable offline files and restart the computer to open the file synchronization software.
Now, you have launched the file sync software – Sync Center. And if you want to sync files or manage offline files, a shared folder is required. Thus, you need to create the folder you want to sync as a shared folder. And the shared folder should be created on another computer.
And in the following part, we will show you how to create a shared folder.
Create a Shared Folder
Step 1: Open the Network & Internet settings from the right-bottom of the computer and enter its main interface. Then click Sharing options to continue.
Step 2: In the popup window, check the option Turn on network discovery, the option Turn on file and printer sharing, and the option Turn off password protected sharing. Then click Save changes to continue.
Step 3: Right-click the folder you want to sync and choose Properties to continue. In the popup window, please go to the Sharing tab and click Share…to continue.
Step 4: Next, please input guest in the box and click Add to continue. Change the permission to Read/Write and click the Share button to continue.
Step 5: In the popup window, click Done to continue.
Step 6: Returning to the Properties window, click Advanced Sharing… to continue.
Step 7: In the popup window, check the option Share this folder and click OK to continue. At last, close this window.
Step 8: Please press Windows key and R key together to open Run dialog and input cmd to continue.
Step 9: Then input the ipconfig command in the command line window and press Enter to continue. And please remember the IPv4 address which will be used to enter the shared folder.
Now, you have created a shared folder and it is time to performing file synchronization and managing offline files.
How to Sync Files and Manage Offline Files?
Here are the detailed instructions to sync files and manage offline files.
Step 1: Press Windows key and R key together to open the Run dialog on the computer which has launched the Sync Center and input the plus the IP address in the box and click OK to continue.
Sync Folders Pro Mac
Tip: Sometimes, you need to input the password to enter the computer which includes the shared folders.
Step 2: In the popup window, you can see the shared folders are listed here.
Step 3: Double-click the shared folder and you can see all items are listed here. Check files you want to manage when the computer is offline and choose Always available offline from the context menu to continue.
Step 4: Then you can open the folder sync software – Sync Center to view your offline files by clicking View your offline files.
Step 5: Then you can see that all your files are listed here and you can manage them even when they are offline or not connected with the computer.
So when you have finished all the steps, you have successfully synchronized files so as to keep data safe. And if you have made some changes of the files in the shared folder, the synchronized files will update the changes too.
All in all, compared with the best file sync software – MiniTool ShadowMaker, the Windows snap-in tool is more complicated and difficult. So if you want to sync files and folder, in my opinion, MiniTool ShadowMaker is a better choice. Besides syncing files, you can also choose to back up files to keep data safe.
Related article: 5 Ways to Protect Our Inmportant and Valuable Data in Windows
Bottom Line
In conclusion, we have introduced two pieces of file sync software in this post. As far as I can see, MiniTool ShadowMaker is better than the Windows Sync Center since it is easier and more convenient.
Folder Sync Software
However, if you have any better solution to sync files, you can share it on the comment zone.
Mac Sync Two Folders
In addition, if you have any problem with MiniTool ShadowMaker, please feel free to contact us via the email [email protected].