Syncing Files on Multiple PC's

Between always being on the go and having FOUR, yes, FOUR computers at home I have spent a lot of time looking for a good (and FREE) solution to synchronizing my files. I had been using a great little program called AllwaySync but it got pissed off at me for using it too much and locked me out for 30 days.
I was getting ready to plop down the $20 for Allway when I decided to search the net one more time for an alternative (and free) solution. There are just some things that I think should be either free or built right into the OS. This is one of those things that has always confounded about Microsoft.  - that this wasn't better built into Microsoft.

Well, I won again! I couldn't believe my eyes when this time I hit a FREE product right from Microsoft, not sure how I missed it before. But anyway, here it is, it's an add-on and it works great.Its called SyncToy and I had no problems with it.

It allows you to create multiple "pairs" of folders to sync. It was easy to install and run. Read what some others have to say about it here and here.

Comments

[Tim Marman]

Before SyncToy, I used Offline Files which didn't always work too well. SyncToy was a step in the right direction, but one big complaint with both solutions is that you have to be on the same network (i.e., be able to map the network drive).

I've been using Foldershare, another (now) free product recently purchased by Microsoft. This gives you P2P synchronization over HTTP/S and other standard ports (so, in other words, it works behind most firewalls and NAT). It's also nice because, unlike SyncToy, it automatically syncs newly changed files, so you don't have to remember to run it.

I've written a bit how this has saved me recently. Unfortunately my site is down now, but I'll post a link when it's back up.

[Marc Marling]

Adriana,

Congratulations on the new blog. Excellent tips - keep them coming. I have advised the readers of Proctor in Admiralty about them.

Best regards,

Marc