Second, we have the backup, or backup. What the backup does is take all the data inside a directory, and create a copy. This can be in another folder, it can be in a file in the form of a package, and it can even be compressed and encrypted with a password. There are several types of backup depending on the type of copy we want to make, and normally we will need the same program with which we made the copy to restore the data.
Depending on the situation we are in, we can use one program or another. For example, if we use two different computers, surely we want that the changes are always synchronized, and that, if we add a new file, or delete an existing one, it is replicated in the other directory. On the other hand, if what we want is to protect our most important information, but we always work in a single directory, a single folder, then a backup copy will be much more useful.
Reasons to synchronize our folders
As the time of use of a certain Windows PC, the data that we store in it does not stop growing. That is why, as we have said so many times, having a good structure of all this is very important. Generally, we carry out this order based on folders and subfolders that we create and save on the drives over time. All this allows us to store thousands or even hundreds of thousands of our own files in an orderly manner. As you can imagine, in turn all this will help us in the future to locate what we are really looking for.
However, disk units are finite, as you have surely been able to verify on more than one occasion. With this, what we want to tell you is that the available space ends up filling up if we are not careful. Precisely to avoid this, we can use programs like SyncToy. That way, if we use it in a convenient way, for example, we avoid having repeated or redundant files, which helps save space. At the same time, this synchronization will help us to better organize the files we work with and save in different directories or folders.
Features presented by Microsoft’s SyncToy
Well, once we know all this, we are going to talk about one of these applications that will surely be very interesting for you. Is about SyncToya solution from Microsoft itself for windows. This will be very helpful when it comes to synchronizing two folders in this operating system that also presents us with a simple user interface. This will be of great help to us in many cases, since not everyone likes to work, these days, using commands.
However, despite everything, at the same time it offers us some synchronization options to customize the process. Thus, once we have downloaded and installed it on the computer, the first thing we will do is create a new pair of local folders that we want sync up. The program itself then labels both elements as the one on the right and the one on the left.
The developers of this specific program have wanted to greatly simplify its use, all through the intuitive user interface that they propose to us by default. Basically it is made up of two panels that correspond to the original disk location and the destination one so that we can use them when loading the folders that we want to treat here.
In turn, as we will see a little later, the synchronization process as such is carried out by means of assistants that will not cause any complications even if we have never used a program of these characteristics. We only have to choose the content synchronization mode that we want to apply to these two folders so that the application goes live instantly. All this will be very appreciated by users who are not too skilled in the technology sector who need to carry out these tasks in particular.
Available operating modes
Next, we find three synchronization options: Syncronize, Echo and Contribute. In addition, when selecting each of these options we will see a description of how each one works.
The mode Synchronize, allows us to synchronize all files and folders, so if we delete something from either one, it will also be deleted from the other. This is the best option if we work with the same data both on a computer where the files are located and if we do it directly on the unit where we have the copy stored. In this way, if we work with the disk where the data is, when using the application, it will synchronize the changes of the unit with the data on the hard disk.
On the other hand, Threw out copies all new files and updated files from the left folder to the right. If we delete or rename a file on the left, the one on the right will also be deleted or renamed. This is the option that we must use if we only work with the data on the computer where it is stored and we use this application only to synchronize the new changes that we have made.
To end Contribute copies new and updated files and folders from the left folder to the right. Files renamed from the first will also be renamed on the right, but will not be removed files or folders in neither of them. With this we achieve that, if we delete a file from the left folder, it will not be deleted from the right. This mode is ideal for making a copy of each and every one of the files that we have ever created on our computer, since it allows us to recover deleted files without resorting to applications designed for this purpose. The problem with this mode is that, over time, the drive where we have the files will be full of files that we don’t need, so it is advisable to periodically review the stored files.
Once we have chosen the modality that interests us the most in each case, we execute the configuration to synchronize the files and folders after assigning a name to the pair. Of course, the application must be executed manually, although we can also use a scheduled task of the same OS to run automatically. We must also know that once said pair is created, later on we can also modify its synchronization options from Change options. The selection that we make of the synchronization mode that we make during the installation of the application will be the one that remains established by default and will be the one used by the application to synchronize the data, so we must first study which is the best option.
How to download Synctoy for free
In this way we will have a software solution created by the company itself. Microsoft which is responsible for synchronizing two local folders in a fully configurable way. So we can choose the operating mode that interests us most in each case, all in a free.
Having said this, in the event that you want to try this program we are talking about right now, Synctoy, you can download it from the official Web from Microsoft, via . Microsoft has stopped offering support for this application, so the only way to download it without resorting to an installer is to use the Major Geeks website through the following . The file will be downloaded in .zip format and we just have to unzip it to install it. To decompress it, place the mouse over the file and, with the right mouse button, select the option extract files. Next, double click on the version we want to install, …x86 for the 32-bit version or …x64 for the 64-bit version.
Worth?
Despite being an application that stopped receiving updates years ago, Synctoy is a great app to sync files between different drives, for backup. The application is available in Spanish, so the language will not be a problem when it comes to getting the most out of it, the user interface is very simple and intuitive and allows us to add an endless number of folders to synchronize.
The only negative point of this application is that Microsoft has stopped offering support (as cloud storage units have become more popular, this type of application has stopped making sense), however, it is not a problem at all. time to work in both Windows 10 and Windows 11. Although it is true that it barely offers us configuration options, they are not really necessary unless we have very special needs.
If Synctoy doesn’t meet our needs, we can use , an application that is very similar in terms of operation, but with a large number of configuration options, options that are only available in the paid version, not the free one. We can also use one of the different more complete alternatives that we show you below or adopt a cloud storage platform since it is the most convenient and fastest way to always have a backup copy of all the files at hand without having to remember to use an app to sync the data.
SyncToy Alternatives
- GoodSync. It allows us to make a backup copy of all files and even create a network where all devices have access to a series of selected files. All this will help us to stay organized and have the peace of mind that our files are synchronized and backed up. Therefore, we can download a free trial version from its official website, that is, .
- syncthing. On the other hand, we find this other alternative that will allow us to synchronize files between devices on a local network or connected to the Internet. It must be said that file synchronization is done through a LAN or of Internet, so we don’t need IP addresses or advanced settings. We have the possibility to download the program from .
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