SyncToy 2.1

Overview

When you need to synchornize your files between different folders, devices and even computers, you have to find a suitable program that will do a reliable job and won’t be a pain in the back to use. That’s what Microsoft developers had in mind when creating SyncToy, and they pretty much achieved it.  It has various features that give you the ability to sync your data at ease with any device, or remotely between laptops and computers and the best part is that it’s completely free.

Installation

You might find installation a little weird since DOS windows will be popping up all the time and disappear in an instant. There are also a few user agreements you need to comply with, regarding some components SyncToy requires to install in order to work properly. Other than that it’s very simple. The program works only under Windows XP, Vista, and 7 OS, while there are two installation packages intended either for 32 or 64 bit users.

Interface

It has a very user friendly interface that explains every feature and action you need to take to complete file synchronization. It is simple and not filled with options in every corner of the window; even the menu bar has only two menus (File and Help). All the features are positioned nicely so you don’t have to seek any settings buried in miscellaneous places.

Pros

Using Folder Pairs you can define some synchronization settings for different folders so that you can sync again and again with the click of a button. When you have created some folder pairs you can use the navigation menu on the left to access each one separately or you can click on the “All Folder Pairs” entry to view all the current pairs and run multiples ones at the same time.

For every folder pair several options are included: Select subfolders, files to include or exclude from selected folder, exclude files with certain properties, check file contents to see if two files that look the same (same name, size, date) are actually different, and also enable or disable this pair when running multiple folder pairs at once.

Cons

It is not an actual backup tool, but it is an application for syncing and copying files. It can’t create backups to restore them later, in contrast to most syncing software.

Alternatives

PureSync is a well-known freeware designed to synchronize and transfer files and folders between computers, USB devices, external hard drives and create new backups. It is similar to BestSync, only that the latter’s user interface looks complex and confusing to novices. Both of them can very much be compared to SyncToy as they all have more or less the same features.

Conclusion

Don’t be afraid to try out this program, as it is lightweight and simple, which makes it perfect for casual use with many small files, like music files or photos. With multiple syncing methods to choose from and a thorough help file you will learn to perform syncying tasks efficiently in less than a few minutes.