Quantcast

Don't have an account? Register Now! Forgot password?

Related Articles
Maximum IT
SEE MORE MAXIMUM IT
News

SyncToy, The Next Generation

Posted 08/19/08 at 09:37:57 PM  by Mark Edward Soper

comment Commentsprint Printemail EmailDeliciousDiggStumbleUponRedditFacebookSlashdot

SyncToy 2.0 released

On Friday, Microsoft released the production version of SyncToy 2.0, the sequel to the popular SyncToy 1.x file-synchronization program I've been using for over two years (the beta version appeared last fall).

So what's new? A few of the 16 new features include:

  • Native support for 64-bit Windows XP or Vista (choose the 32-bit or 64-bit version when downloading SyncToy 2.0
  • Support for encrypted files and folders
  • Folder pair rename
  • Dynamic drive letter assignment

For the entire list, see the SyncToy download page. Microsoft also offers a white paper (PDF format) on SyncToy 2.0, and offers a FAQ list on its forums.

Installation Notes 

When you install SyncToy 2.0 on a system that includes a previous version, it upgrades the previous version automatically. To assure that your folders are properly detected, you should synchronize your folder pairs with your old version of SyncToy before installing version 2. SyncToy 2.0 requires the .NET Framework 2.0 (you'll be prompted to install it if your system doesn't have it already installed).

From the Makers of TweakUI and Other Great Windows XP PowerToys 

SyncToy has the distinction of being the only PowerToy that works on both Windows XP and Windows Vista. For other PowerToys for Windows XP, stop by the Windows PowerToys website.

SyncToy, Toy or Tool? Your Feedback Wanted!

I love SyncToy, and the improvements should make it even better. What's your take? If you've never tried file synchronization before, is SyncToy 2.0 tempting enough to try it? Or, do you prefer another solution? Your comments, as always, are valued.

COMMENTS:4
TAGS: vista, windows, microsoft, Software, XP, PowerToys, .NET Framework 2.0, file-synchronization, SyncToy
COMMENTS
avatargood but cannot do remote

Submitted by startship on Thu, 08/28/2008 - 11:27pm

Synctoy is very good, but it cannot do sync remotely. I know a small (1.8M) free util from http://www.gbridge.com that can do remote folder sync easily. It offers some unique features:

  • works across the internet, even behind home router.
  • I can sync folders with my friends
  • I can browse the source folder remotely before I decide to sync. Thumnail, slideshows are all generated on-the-fly, I can even listen to the mp3 online.
  • I can set an include/exclude for each sync task.
  • I can monitor the sync status and start/stop sync remotely.
  • I can use the built-in vnc to remote-control my computer.

 I bet you will like gbridge.

Login or register to post comments
avatarThanks for the link to Gbridge!

Submitted by Marcus_Soperus on Fri, 08/29/2008 - 7:48am

Thanks for the suggestion to try Gbridge.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

It's amazing how illogical a business built on binary logic can be.

Login or register to post comments
avatarBeen using SyncToy for years

Submitted by allc0re on Thu, 08/21/2008 - 4:08am

Been using SyncToy for years and each new version brings much needed changes. Renaming Folder pairs, for instance, is great - along with dynamic drive lettters. It makes my daily backups at work a breeze!

Login or register to post comments
avatarSync Toy is a joy to use

Submitted by Keougmi on Tue, 08/19/2008 - 7:24pm

I've been using Sync Toy for about a year now on XP.  It's got to be one of the best pieces of software to come out of Microsoft -- probably because a few guys wrote it as a side project without all the beureaucratic bozos ruining it. I'm glad they added the functions of folder pair renaming and dynamic drive letter re-assigning, as they were my only minor gripes with the beta versions.

I have thousands of photographs, podcasts and MP3 files in a lot of places on my main system and going to/from my Zune.  I would go crazy if I had to find them manually and take them to work.   To make sure they are all "synced", with my work computer every week I use Sync Toy to quickly sync my portable WD Passport drive.  Then I do another sync from the WD Passport drive to my work computer.  Then I have 3 sets of file all synced, with just a few keystrokes!

For really important files that I can't lose, I don't do a 2 way sync, but do a "Contribute" (a one way sync without deletions).  That prevents deleting any important files during a 2 way sync, if one was accidentally deleted. 

 Sync Toy is not a Toy.  It's really a great program.  And it's free!

Login or register to post comments
This Month's Issue
Maximum PC
SUBSCRIBE NOW
AND SAVE!
FEATURE Windows XP/Vista/7 Tips!FEATURE Monitor Roundup: 7 LCDs ReviewedHOW TOMaster PhotoshopFEATUREAMD's Awesome New GPUWHITE PAPEROrganic LEDs