Contact us via email or phoneEmail us | Phone: +1 615-771-5611
Login  Password Login
categories
designers area
photographers area
resources
photo map
free photos
dreamstime blogs

Lightbox/cart:  View & Download
You have 0 images
 
Home > Blogs! > Bevanward 's Blog
Synchronising files between Laptop and Dekstop.. free utility (works!)     posted on 28th of january, 2011

I have started using the free Microsoft SyncToy version 2.1 for synchronising files from my laptop back to my home desktop/server and it is working very well so felt was time to blog about it.

After I travel, for work, I typically have a bunch of new images on my laptop, and may have renamed, edited or deleted some images from past trips that I had not yet processed. The SyncToy manages propagating those additions, deletions, renames and edits back to the server. Equally if I have added/deleted/edited/renamed any images on my desktop those changes will be made on my laptop.

Microsoft describes the tool as "SyncToy 2.1 is a free application that synchronizes files and folders between locations. Typical uses include sharing files, such as photos, with other computers and creating backup copies of files and folders."

The software works through two selected folders (a folder pair) which are referred to as the right and left folders.
There are three different modes that it can be run in -

*Synchronise - added/edited files are sent both ways and deletions and renames are repeated on the other side

*Echo - added/edited files are copied from the left selected folder to the right. Deletion and renaming of files is also repeated on the right folder

*Contribute - added/edited files are copied left to right. Renames are repeated. Deletions are NOT repeated.



I have been using Synchronise as I add/edit/rename and delete files on both my Desktop and Laptop.

If you wanted this to be the tool of a backup you could use "Contribute" and send your images and changes to an external disk or networked NAS drive, etc. Using Contribute your deletions would not be repeated. If you wanted them to be repeated as well you would have to use the Echo mode.

I have not had any issues with the tool yet and it seems to run quickly through my home network. I would suggest before using it in a production environment to first test with dummy data to become familiar with how it acts but so far for my situation it has been a powerful solution.

The tool can be downloaded from:
Download SyncToy2.1

I have also used the Windows Scheduler so that the change happens every day at 9pm when I'm on the network. This works from a command line in my case -

"C:Program FilesSyncToy 2.1SyncToyCmd.exe" -R RTX_SYNC

Hope it helps ...

-----------
Photos from my current trip ...


Tags: delete management rename synchronise utility

Comments (3)

Great photos, I adore the 4 and 6! I think I will try this tool too! - posted by Shopartgallerycom on January 31, 2011
Thanks Mariaam for your kind comment - I hope to take many more but unfortunately the day job has to come first... - posted by Bevanward on January 28, 2011
The photos from your trip look great! Thanks for sharing. - posted by Mariaam on January 28, 2011

This article has been read 442 times. 1 readers have found this article useful.
Photo credits: Bevanward, Bevanward, Bevanward, Bevanward, Bevanward, Bevanward.
 
    Search the blogs!
Latest articles (RSS 2.0 )
  Frog in the bathroom ...
  Not making basic mistakes ... Some thoughts ...
  How to recover images from corrupt card .... Essential tool
  500 online ... Happy day
  Brisbane city at night ...
  Wildlife in Namib desert in Namibia
  Pirenopolis in Brazil for the weekend
  200 Sales and counting .. a few thougths and stats
  Synchronising files between Laptop and Dekstop.. free utility (works!)
  Exposure strategry ... some thoughts (qualitty versus artistic)

Create your own blog in seconds...
My favourite articles
None
More favorite articles
    About Me

confidential info
<10

>I moved to Adelaide, Australia in 1978 from Auckland, New Zealand, as a child. Raised in Townsville, North Queensland, I left home to work in Central Australia where I first became interested in photography as a field geologist. From there I took a role in Johannesburg, South Africa, returned to Australia to marry, moved to Santiago, spent five years there in the capital of Chile and since have moved back to Brisbane, Australia where I am now based. I live with my wife of eight years and our three year old son. I have spent the past 10 years travelling all over the world and as part of my travel I have had the privilege of seeing and progressively becoming a more dedicated photographer, trying to represent the world as I see it.
My passion in photography is diverse, but the area I enjoy most is the wonder of what is revealed within macro photographs. I enjoy abstract and realistic portrayals of natural subjects and ordinary things. Bright contrasting colours, dense texture, rhythmic and seemingly random patterns at all scales captivate me. The detail revealed through high resolution photographs demonstrates to me how much we miss while “living” life and suggests that any amount of time spent observing will never be too much.
I particularly enjoy being stirred by a photograph which displays the awe delivered by a landscape, a raw/seized/held/bound/ captured emotion, rich morning light or a captured sense of movement. I am inspired by viewing photographs from the greats through to amateurs. They challenge me to continue to learn how to see.

Exclusive user Blogs

  Upload image | About Us | FAQ | Contact Us | Terms of use | API / Referral program | Site map | Privacy policy | Free Stock Images
Support - phone: +1 615-771-5611, Click here to contact us

dreamstime
  Copyright © 2000-2012 Dreamstime. All rights reserved.
Dreamstime is a member of PACA and CEPIC.