SyncToy 2.1 is the latest version of Microsoft’s file synchronization software. While some prefer to use RoboCopy, SyncToy has a simple and easy to configure interface that is perfect for home users that want to backup their data to another drive or computer. You can also schedule SyncToy with the Windows Scheduler, so your backup jobs run at a specified time each day or week.
Download SyncToy 2.1 and install it on your computer.
Next, create your Left and Right folders. Left means copying files from HERE and right means putting files THERE. You will have the following options to control how you sync your folders: You can Synchronize, which means files changed on either side will update the other side. You can Echo, which means files will be copied and updated left to right, and Contribute–which means anything deleted on the let will not be deleted on the right.
If you have a huge Network Attached Storage (NAS) you might want to select Contribute as your backup method, as you probably want to keep everything, no matter what accidentally gets deleted on your main computer.
Schedule SyncToy to Run Automatically
Probably the one drawback to using SyncToy is that it doesn’t have a built-in scheduler. You will need to use the Windows Task Scheduler to set up your backups. To do this, navigate to Programs, Accessories, System Tools, Task Scheduler and click the Add Basic Task. Give it a name, select a scheduling method, then browse to the SynToy folder located in the Programs folder of the C drive and select SyncToyCmd.exe file. The path will appear in the Task Scheduler pane. You will need to modify that path so that it reads “C:\Program Files\SyncToy 2.1\SyncToyCmd.exe” -R and then click Next.
The backup will then begin as scheduled.
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{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Synctoy used to be a great tool, I was doing all my backups on my network using Synctoy. Unfortunatly since I migrated to Windows7, the tool is no longer working prperly : slow, bugs… looking forward to a new version that works !
They have a newer version. I am using it with WIndows 7. http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=c26efa36-98e0-4ee9-a7c5-98d0592d8c52&displaylang=en
I know another great tool which combine task scheduling and synchronization together
http://friendlyscheduler.com
Windows 7 and autosync to your flash/USB device on insert!
By Steven Teal
download SyncToy for free
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=c26efa36-98e0-4ee9-a7c5-98d0592d8c52&displaylang=en
Establish your folder pairing and sync name(“SyncTest”)
see:http://www.solo-technology.com/blog/2006/09/20/how-to-using-synctoy-to-make-a-nightly-mirror-of-my-documents/
run computer management console
event viewer/windows logs/system
find the media insertion event
“The Portable Device Enumerator Service service entered the running state.”
(You may need to clear you event log and eject/reinsert you media to trigger this log event)
In the upper event window, right click on the event and select “Attach Task To This Event”
Windows open “Create Basic Task Window”
Give your task a name and hit next
Event information is already filled in, next
Action should show “Start a Program”, next
In the Start a Program window, browse to SyncToyCmd.exe(or your chosen sync app)
Add arguments. If your backup pairing is called SyncTest, enter “-RsyncTest”. Do not add quotes, do not add a space after the -R, SyncToy command line(or maybe Windows 7) is case sensative so SyncTest does not equal synctest!
Next, Finish
You can run the task right from Task Scheduler to verifuy it works
Now the only other problem I had was running my laptop on batteries, in Task Manager under the conditions tab, uncheck “Start the task only if the computer is on AC power”, otherwise task will only run when AC is plugged in.
Also, as USB polls and disconnects/reconnects, this task will run every couple of minutes, actually kinda cool, it’s auto-syncing to the USB HDD all the time