A rather nice, free “back up” application from Microsoft, called “SyncToy”.

[Dennis]

I found a rather nice, free “back up” application from Microsoft, called “SyncToy”. Here is a link to a "Whitepaper" - click the "Download" button for a pdf.

Here is the overview:

"SyncToy 2.0 for Windows is available as a free download from the Microsoft Download Center. The easy to use, customizable application helps you copy, move, rename, and delete files between folders and computers.

SyncToy can help you synchronize, copy, backup and maintain folders of files on your computers. SyncToy is a PowerToy, available as a free download, built by Microsoft Corporation that helps you get all your files exactly where you want them. SyncToy also helps you manage disk space by making sure that you do not end up with multiple copies of the same file with different names. SyncToy will help you back up your files more quickly by only backing up the files it needs to, to help you save time, instead of backing up every file in a folder whether it has been changed or not.

There are files from all kinds of sources that we want to store and manage. Files are created by our digital cameras, e-mail, cell phones, portable media players, camcorders, PDAs, and laptops. Increasingly, computer users are using different folders, drives, and even different computers (such as a laptop and a desktop) to store, manage, retrieve and view files. Yet managing hundreds or thousands of files is still largely a manual operation. In some cases it is necessary to regularly get copies of files from another location to add to primary location; in other cases there is a need to keep two storage locations exactly in sync. Some users manage files manually, dragging and dropping from one place to another and keeping track of whether the locations are synchronized in their heads. Other users may use two or more applications to provide this functionality.

Now there is an easier way. SyncToy, a free PowerToy for Microsoft Windows, is an easy to use, highly customizable program that helps users to do the heavy lifting involved with the copying, moving, and synchronization of different directories. Most common operations can be performed with just a few clicks of the mouse, and additional customization is available without additional complexity. SyncToy can manage multiple sets of folders at the same time; it can combine files from two folders in one case, and mimic renames and deletes in another case. Unlike other applications, SyncToy actually keeps track of renames to files and will make sure those changes get carried over to the synchronized folder."

I have been using it for a week or so and find it easy to use and reliable, so far. As it is not part of the WIndos OS, there is no MS Support although there is a user forum at:

http://social.microsoft.com/forums/e...nctoy/threads/

Basically, you create a “Folder Pair”; the source on the “Left” and the target on the “Right”. Thus you back up from the “Left Folder” to the “Right Folder” - see attached screen copies.

Cheers

Dennis

[norm]

Thanks Dennis. Was discussing some backup options with a colleague. This may just do the trick!

[Dennis]

SyncToy actually keeps track of renames to files and will make sure those changes get carried over to the synchronized folder.

There is a SyncToy Whitepaper link on this page which provides some useful information and insights into the genesis of the application; an MS Director basically wanted to manage his sets of holiday photos; the originals, those re-named and/or edited whilst spread across desktop, notebook and external drives.

I have decided to keep my “Master” files on the “Left” and my “Backup” files on the “Right” so I use the Echo option to echo changes from “Left” to “Right”.

If you use the “Sync” option for paired “Left” and “Right” folders, then if you make changes/deletes/re-names to your “Backups” on the “Right”, those changes will be reflected in the “Masters” on the “Left”. This I don’t want to do.

Any “deletes” are sent to the Trash Can so you can recover them if you need to do so, before you empty it!

I think that you can also set up SyncToy to run unattended using a Win XP OS function.

Cheers

Dennis

[OzRob (Rob)]

A quick test shows that this is exactly what I have been looking for. I wanted something that was easy to use and only updated, renamed and copied new files one way with no deletions. Thanks for posting this. Now all I have to do is buy the 1TB external harddrive to keep all my backups..

[kustard (Simon)]

A nice little app, looks super easy to use, might set it up for the wife so she can backup all her photos on her laptop.

If you are looking for something with a bit more options, I use a program called SyncBack. There is a free version that I use here at home.

[OzRob (Rob)]

Well I got the 1TB external hard drive and gave it a whirl..very disappointing!!! It has some problem with dates being not in the right format on certain files. It is a known issue with this program that extends back more than one year. MS have so far failed to resolve the issue. I ended up with another free program called Allway Sync. It does what I want with just one click after it is set up.

[Dennis]

Originally Posted by OzRob

Well I got the 1TB external hard drive and gave it a whirl..very disappointing!!! It has some problem with dates being not in the right format on certain files. It is a known issue with this program that extends back more than one year. MS have so far failed to resolve the issue. I ended up with another free program called Allway Sync. It does what I want with just one click after it is set up.

Hmm, I’m sorry to hear of that. From the sample reconciliations I have performed on my system, everything appears to be backing up as planned. However, I will perform a deeper investigation just to make sure nothing is escaping my notice.

Did the log advise you of any issues?

Cheers

Dennis

[OzRob (Rob)]

Originally Posted by Dennis

Hmm, I’m sorry to hear of that. From the sample reconciliations I have performed on my system, everything appears to be backing up as planned. However, I will perform a deeper investigation just to make sure nothing is escaping my notice.

Did the log advise you of any issues?

Cheers

Dennis

Yes it did. The problem was picked up when I tried a preview (I thnk that is what it was called.) Once I hit OK everything came to a grinding halt. Interestingly many of the problems was with astrophotography related stuff like MaxDL logs and fit files but there was problems with some other files not associated with astrophotography.

[Dennis]

Hi Rob

It’s good to read that the Log identified the problem – you just can’t afford to have your back ups run in an incomplete manner.

I just checked my ST7 fits files captured in CCDSoft and they all appear to have backed up just fine and open as expected when selected.

However, I’ll just keep an eye of the application, just in case! Thanks for the heads up; it is good to know about these issues.

Cheers

Dennis