SyncToy is a free PowerToy for Microsoft Windows XP that provides 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 adding complexity. It can manage multiple sets of directories at the same time; it can combine files from two folders in one case, and mimic renames and deletes in another. Unlike other applications, SyncToy keeps track of renames to files and will make sure those changes get carried over to the synchronized folder.
Rated 40/50 by cadaov at Jul 14, 2010
very easy to set up, clean interface I only wish it had multiple destination folders, like allwaysync I love this because it's very easy to sync files and folder, but if you need complexity you better look up another tool.
Rated 40/50 by AndresUppsala at Jul 27, 2010
Great for beginners Could have better layout.
Rated 40/50 by rblatt at Jul 31, 2010
Easy to use, good range of options, free. 2.1 seems heavier then 2.0. It seems much slowlier than the previous version. If you don't need incremental backups, just plain two-side sync, it is very good.
Rated 20/50 by njschultz at Aug 11, 2010
Has a nice clean interface....normally tools from Microsoft work as advertised. Only good for the smallest of backups. I am trying to backup files from a 600Gb source and I gave up after 15 hours and only about 35% complete.....I could copy files faster using pony express and morse code. *****Not Recommended**** Clean easy interface but runs extremely slowly. Pass on this one. I've tried multiple versions of this program and in a couple of years(versions) it has not improved. I won't try it again.
Rated 50/50 by hitman7112 at Aug 25, 2010
Its free and it gets the job done when combined with task scheduler. Its the complete opposite of bloatware. Sometimes its to simple, but I still love it Best of its class, because I wanted something to only sync locally to my external HDD and not over to another server and then I found this!!!!
Rated 40/50 by dolson80301 at Aug 27, 2010
Great functional file sync system. fast easy to use and schedualable allows multiple folder pairs for large updates. Not alot of options to choose from copy/sync/overwrite pretty basic. I was using another one that allowed file selection and scripting for versitility but they are out of business so this will do. It work well. it works quickly. it lets you know when it is unhappy what more could you want in a syncer (other than scripting and file selection)
Rated 50/50 by funkybeats6 at Sep 1, 2010
Simple to set up.Works quickly.Good preview screen before sync starts.Anything deleted goes to recycle bin so easy to recover. You need to pay attention to preview screen because it only does what you ask it to do. Great for simple file sync between two computers.
Rated 40/50 by crown_city at Sep 20, 2010
It accurately synchronized the folders/drives on which I use it. None that I know of for the uses to which I put it. A good simple program that does the job for which it was designed.
Rated 30/50 by mvictory5 at Nov 1, 2010
Can sync up lots of files with no problems.3 different ways to sync: Synchronize, Echo, ContributeCan be used instead of backup software - If so, you can browse the backups with no additional software needed, since it writes regular file folders. pretty slow. It took 5 hours to backup 40 GB across SATA-II drives. slow but gets the job done. it's worth it to not have to hassle with backup software, especially for files. you would still need backup software if you want to backup programs or image a drive perfectly. also works awesome for its intended purpose - synchronizing 2 folders.
Rated 40/50 by samgamgoof at Dec 18, 2010
Simple to use, particularly for incremental backup. Slow. Took more than 6 hours to back up a 40Gb internal drive to external HDD. After a few hours of aggravation, it does a quick job of incremental backup--just a few minutes. I use for twice-daily incremental backups since I do lots of critical work where I need redundancy and protection against loss. If it weren't for the incremental backup feature I wouldn't use it. It's faster just to drag and drop. Unfortunately, drag and drop won't accommodate incremental backup.For incremental backup, this fits the bill.
Rated 10/50 by stick joe at Jan 30, 2011
Meh, I don't really know of one. It's free I guess. I've used this version for over a year. 1st it worked ok, but now that I have lots to sync it keeps producing errors and says the files/folders it errored on didn't sync.What good is it to me then? I agree with this user review I found, which is:Click HereSyncToy 2.1 * Quick specs * Price: Free * Operating system: Windows XP/Vista * Date added: February 24, 2010 * Total Downloads: 63,599 * Downloads last week: 473 * See full specifications * CNET Community * This product is on 17 member lists. Add to my list Add to my Watch ListDownload Now (2.88MB)or Smart InstallTested spyware free * CNET editors' rating: 4.0 stars * Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 54 votes See all user reviewsCNET editors' reviewReviewed by: CNET Staff on December 05, 2008If you're looking for a convenient, uncomplicated, and stable synchronization tool, you could do much, much worse than Microsoft's SyncToy. Part of the Windows XP PowerToys add-ons, this tool makes it easy to keep folder contents identical on one machine or across a network.The first time you run it, SyncToy will guide you through creating a pair of linked folders. Labeled as Left and Right, it will then ask you to choose from one of five synchronization methods. Echo works like a standard one-way sync, copying all files from Left to Right. Synchronize is bidirectional; Contribute works like Echo but it won't delete files removed from the Left folder; Subscribe only updates files in common that have been updated; and Combine merges Synchronize and Contribute so that files are updated in both directions, but none are deleted. SyncToy does support encrypted files.SyncToy also offers up a preview, preventing accidental loss of data. However, the two feature omissions are hard to ignore: you can't synchronize across the Internet, and there's no scheduler. For the former, Microsoft does offer a different tool, FolderShare, but by requiring users to manually sync all folders le
Rated 50/50 by WaltRochesterNY at Jan 30, 2011
ULTRA simple to use once set upVery intuitivePerfect "backup" solution for My Documents and/or My Pictures when coupled with a USB flash drive or external HDD enclosure The *only* thing I can nitpick is that there are 5 different kinds of "synchronizations" that can be done, and the words that they chose to describe them don't really make sense. However, there is a "short explanation" box that helps to clarify. Two different friends wanted a way to backup their pictures. I considered backup software, but it was too complicated and WAY overkill for them. When I discovered this app, I ordered a couple of 16GB Patriot Xporter USB flash drives, and VOILA. I set up the first one this past week, it took about 1 minute to set up. It copied nearly 3,000 pictures, about 2.8 GB, in about 15 minutes I would guess (I wasn't specifically timing it, wish I had), and this was on a computer that is several years old and as such isn't exactly a rocketship. Another huge benefit to this approach is that the pictures are in their "native" format, so you can plug the drive into any computer and view them... many backup packages create some kind of archive that is not so. Also, it can do an "incremental" synchronization, so future sync ups will be much faster. Microsoft, this thing ROCKS!!!! THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!!
Rated 50/50 by TeoJhso at Jan 30, 2011
Simple but OK None to report
Rated 50/50 by KatieKate at Feb 8, 2011
It's pretty good software all around. I found it does a semi-flawless job in keeping my stuff synced. No complaints here!
Rated 40/50 by Bengi010 at Feb 20, 2011
Easy to use, set up takes literally seconds. I use it to back up my music to an external hard drive and it is almost perfect (see cons) for that, allowing me to make changes, add and delete files on my computer and mirror those changes on my back up There is an unaccounted for 45 files in my backup that are not in my main folder. I think they are duplicate songs I have deleted. Synctoy is supposed to find and delete them but it doesn't. Excellent software, powerful yet simple to use.
Rated 50/50 by philshoe at Apr 15, 2011
I use it to back up to my passport drive I run it once a week to keep a copy of all my files. It take a little time to set it up but once you do all it takes is a fee clicks and your done. It took a little time to get it set right when it over writes a file if you have the wrong setting it put a copy of the fir in your recycle bin. If you want a copy of your file you need this program. A copy is better then a backup you can copy a file any were. Updated on Apr 15, 2011