PC utilities forum: What is the best way to keep folders on 2 computers in sync?

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Answer Best answer as chosen by user jaysun.cousins

None are the best. However

by R. Proffitt - 4/5/12 11:23 AM

In Reply to: What is the best way to keep folders on 2 computers in sync? by jaysun.cousins

I've used GoodSync, SyncBack for years but since some may think the settings and options too finicky at times, I can only guess that nothing is the best here.

Be sure to look again at DROPBOX.
Bob

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Thanks

by jaysun.cousins - 4/5/12 11:29 AM

In Reply to: None are the best. However by R. Proffitt

Have considered Dropbox, Amazon Cloud, etc, but what I really want is to mirror the data files between the 2 computers, so that I don't have to worry that files on the laptop are becoming out of date. For example, when I do photo editing on the desktop (much larger monitor), would like that to sync automatically onto the laptop, or when I edit an Excel spreadsheet on the laptop,to have that update onto the desktop. I do not keep the desktop PC powered up at all times, so logging in remotely is not of much use.

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Then back to GoodSync, SyncBack, and similar.

by R. Proffitt - 4/5/12 11:33 AM

In Reply to: Thanks by jaysun.cousins

Again, there is no perfect solution I know of today. I use all I mentioned and do very well keeping it together.
Bob

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why one?

by porsche10x - 4/12/12 6:29 PM

In Reply to: Thanks by jaysun.cousins

Ok, I'm not sure why Dropbox isn't the perfect solution. It absolutely does "mirror the data files between the 2 computers." The files are stored both "in the cloud" and also locally on both (or more) PCs. They are sync'ed up pretty much in real time. Your desktop doesn't have to be on and you don't have to log on. Keep your files and folders within the dropbox folder and you don't have to do anything special at all, not even copy anything. You also get a 30 day running revision history on all your files. If you can fit within their 2 GB limit (plus more for referring friends), it should be the perfect free tool.

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Dropbox is something I use too!

by R. Proffitt - 4/16/12 9:27 AM

In Reply to: why one? by porsche10x

It's not perfect for some because of the 2GB limit on the free version.

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Answer Best answer as chosen by user jaysun.cousins

Another possibility

by JamesJ - 4/7/12 4:31 AM

In Reply to: What is the best way to keep folders on 2 computers in sync? by jaysun.cousins

You could also look at SyncToy, which is a free MS utility. I can't compare it to anything else, but I use it a bit and it seems to work. It won't be "automatic", in that you need to run it and tell it to perform the sync. You can find it here:

http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?id=15155

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Answer Best answer as chosen by user jaysun.cousins

Windows Live Mesh

by KenHusveg - 4/7/12 5:17 AM

In Reply to: What is the best way to keep folders on 2 computers in sync? by jaysun.cousins

Windows Live Mesh might be worth a look.

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Answer Best answer as chosen by user jaysun.cousins

Thanks

by jaysun.cousins - 4/9/12 8:11 PM

In Reply to: What is the best way to keep folders on 2 computers in sync? by jaysun.cousins

Thanks everyone for the suggestions. I'll look into them.

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Intruding here

by MarkFlax - 4/13/12 3:58 AM

In Reply to: Thanks by jaysun.cousins

but having just posted in another forum thread about problems disabling Windows Synchronisation in an XP system I learned a few things. That other discussion is here;
http://forums.cnet.com/7723-6142_102-560680/synchronise-nuisence/?messageId=5298234&tag=rb_content;contentBody#message5298234

And have a look at my post at the end.

Your problem just made me wonder. You are using Windows 7 on your two systems so I looked up Win 7's synchronisation options and found this;
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-vista/Sync-Center-frequently-asked-questions

It is Windows own, and although the link is about Windows Vista, Win 7 also has this feature.

Another link if you want to read it is http://blogs.technet.com/b/netro/archive/2010/04/09/how-the-synchronization-in-windows-7-offline-files-works.aspx

Does any of that help?

Mark

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Answer Best answer as chosen by user jaysun.cousins

Sharing Files Between 2 Machines

by pman25 - 4/10/12 11:56 AM

In Reply to: What is the best way to keep folders on 2 computers in sync? by jaysun.cousins

Copy the files you want to share to an external hard drive accessible by both machines.

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Answer Best answer as chosen by user jaysun.cousins

What is the best way to keep folders on 2 computers in sync?

by JanGray10 - 9/3/12 2:23 AM

In Reply to: What is the best way to keep folders on 2 computers in sync? by jaysun.cousins

Depending on the files I think you must search for options. Tools which can store all kinds of data such as DropBox, Google drive can be good but there would definitely be low on robust administrative options. I keep saying this to all my colleagues and friends to use specific tools for specific file type.

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