Alternatives to SyncToy


Local time
11:34 AM
Posts
65
OS
Windows 11
Till now MS SyncToy used to be my go to app for backing up User data to an external drive. Not for system backup or system images, but only for User Data. I want to know if there are any good alternatives to SyncToy which can be considered? Is there any continued development of SyncToy, outside of Microsoft, that is there?

One of the reasons that I want to move away from SyncToy is its dependency on DOT Net ver 2.0/3.5. Just for one app I do not want to install this obsolete DOT Net framework.

I looked at Windows Backup but it is a piece of junk. And I do not want my user data to be stored on OneDrive or Google Drive or something equivalent.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    CPU
    Intel
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel UHD Integrated
    Mouse
    Inbuilt
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender
A lot of folks here seem to like FreeFileSync (FreeFileSync).

As a side note, not that I recommend you keep using SyncToy, but .NET Framework 3.5 is supported until 2029.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 25H2
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Intel NUC12WSHi7
    CPU
    12th Gen Core i7-1260P
    Motherboard
    NUC12WSBi7
    Memory
    64 GB Micron PC4-25600
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Iris Xe Graphics
    Sound Card
    on-board Realtek HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell U3219Q
    Screen Resolution
    3840 x 2160
    Hard Drives
    Samsung SSD 990 PRO 1TB
    Crucial MX500 2 TB
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender
I have a DOT Net Runtime - 8.0.23 already installed. Will that work in lieu of .NET Framework 3.5

I do like MS SyncToy, it is one of the better utilities that Microsoft had built. Pity they stopped developing it further after ver 2.1.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    CPU
    Intel
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel UHD Integrated
    Mouse
    Inbuilt
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender
No, the .NETs version 5 and later are not the same as 4.8 and earlier.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 25H2
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Intel NUC12WSHi7
    CPU
    12th Gen Core i7-1260P
    Motherboard
    NUC12WSBi7
    Memory
    64 GB Micron PC4-25600
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Iris Xe Graphics
    Sound Card
    on-board Realtek HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell U3219Q
    Screen Resolution
    3840 x 2160
    Hard Drives
    Samsung SSD 990 PRO 1TB
    Crucial MX500 2 TB
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender
Is there a lite version of .NET Framework 3.5 that can be used?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    CPU
    Intel
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel UHD Integrated
    Mouse
    Inbuilt
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender
Not that I know of. That version of .NET Framework is a component of Windows 11; you should use that one, so it gets updated.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 25H2
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Intel NUC12WSHi7
    CPU
    12th Gen Core i7-1260P
    Motherboard
    NUC12WSBi7
    Memory
    64 GB Micron PC4-25600
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Iris Xe Graphics
    Sound Card
    on-board Realtek HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell U3219Q
    Screen Resolution
    3840 x 2160
    Hard Drives
    Samsung SSD 990 PRO 1TB
    Crucial MX500 2 TB
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender
SyncToy is no longer supported.
FreeFileSync is pretty good. If you don't mind paying, then Syncovery Pro is another reliable alternative
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 7,8.1,10,11, Mint, Kde Plasma, Debian
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell
    CPU
    Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-6500U CPU @ 2.50GHz
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel(R) HD Graphics 520/Nvidia GeForce 930M
    Sound Card
    Intel(R) Display Audio/RealtekAudio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Generic Pnp Monitor
    Screen Resolution
    1366 X 768
    Hard Drives
    ST2000LM024-1EJ164
    Keyboard
    Eng (US)
    Mouse
    Sanwa Supply
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Avast One
    Other Info
    Too many laptops with different system specifications.
Has Microsoft released the source code of SyncToy as open source or some other permissive license?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    CPU
    Intel
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel UHD Integrated
    Mouse
    Inbuilt
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender
I've used FreeFileSync for the last eight years or so. It's free (though I do donate from time to time), it's reliable, it is fast, and it is actively maintained.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Win 11 Pro. 25H2
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Customised "Chillblast Apex Intel Core i7 Office PC"
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-14700 (Raptor Lake)
    Motherboard
    ASUS Prime B760M-A WiFi D4
    Memory
    32GB Corsair Vengeance LPX (DDR4)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel UHD 770 — onboard standard as supplied by Intel/Asus
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell P2421 24 inch WUXGA (1920x1200) 16:10 Monitor
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1200
    Hard Drives
    First (Boot Drive Only): 2TB Samsung SSD 990 Pro.
    Second (Data Drive) 2TB Samsung SSD 990 Pro.
    PSU
    850W Corsair RM850x 80 Plus Gold
    Cooling
    Just standard fans for both the case and CPU.
    Keyboard
    Unicomp Model M (IBM Style keyboard)
    Mouse
    Wired Mouse
    Internet Speed
    1.6 MB/s
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Microsoft's Defender
  • Operating System
    Win 11 Pro. 25H2
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo Legion Pro 7i Gen 9 (16" Intel)
    CPU
    14th Generation Intel® Core™ i9-14900HX
    Memory
    32 GB DDR5-5600MHz
    Graphics card(s)
    NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 4080 Laptop GPU 12GB GDDR6
    Monitor(s) Displays
    16" WQXGA (2560 x 1600), IPS, Anti-Glare, Non-Touch, HDR 40
    Screen Resolution
    2560 x 1600
    Hard Drives
    First (Boot): 1 TB SSD M.2 2280 PCIe Gen4 TLC
    Second (Data): 1 TB SSD M.2 2280 PCIe Gen4 TLC
    Keyboard
    Per-Key RGB-Coloured Backlit - English (UK)
    Mouse
    Wired Mouse
    Internet Speed
    1.6 MB/s
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Microsoft's Defender
Many other applications, including DirextX 9.0c runtime installer require "obsolete" dotNET 2/3 enabled, even if you have all versions up to dotNET 10.0 When I install Windows on a system I always make sure I enable it before even being asked by any application.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 (5699), 25H2 (8457)
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Acer Extensa 5630EZ
    CPU
    Mobile DualCore Intel Core 2 Duo T7250, 2000 MHz
    Motherboard
    Acer Extensa 5630
    Memory
    4GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Mobile Intel(R) GMA 4500M (Mobile 4 series)
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC268 @ Intel 82801IB ICH9 - High Definition Audio Controller
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1
    Screen Resolution
    1280x800
    Hard Drives
    Samsung SSD 850 EVO 250GB SATA Device (250 GB, SATA-III)
    Internet Speed
    VDSL 50 Mbps
    Browser
    MICROSOFT EDGE
    Antivirus
    WINDOWS DEFENDER
    Other Info
    Legacy MBR installation, no TPM, no Secure Boot, no WDDM 2.0 graphics drivers, no SSE4.2, cannot get more unsupported ;) This is only my test laptop. I had installed Windows 11 here before upgrading my main PC. For my main PC I use everyday see my 2nd system specs.
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro v25H2 (build 26200.8457)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom-built PC
    CPU
    Intel Core-i7 3770 3.40GHz s1155 (3rd generation)
    Motherboard
    Asus P8H61 s1155 ATX
    Memory
    2x Kingston Hyper-X Blu 8GB DDR3-1600
    Graphics card(s)
    GIGABYTE GeForce RTX 3050 WINDFORCE OC V2 6GB (GV-N3050WF2OCV2-6GD)
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD audio (ALC887)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Sony Bravia KDL-19L4000 19" LCD TV via VGA
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900 32-bit 60Hz
    Hard Drives
    WD Blue SA510 2.5 1000GB SSD as system disk, Western Digital Caviar Purple 4TB SATA III (WD40PURZ) as second
    PSU
    Thermaltake Litepower RGB 550W Full Wired
    Case
    SUPERCASE MIDI-TOWER
    Cooling
    Deepcool Gamma Archer CPU cooler, 1x 8cm fan at the back
    Keyboard
    Mitsumi 101-key PS/2
    Mouse
    Sunnyline OptiEye PS/2
    Internet Speed
    100Mbps
    Browser
    Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Windows Defender
    Other Info
    Legacy BIOS (MBR) installation, no TPM, no Secure Boot, WDDM 3.0 graphics drivers, WEI score 7.4
I used Free File Sync successfully for several years.

But I switched to SyncBackFree about 5 years ago, also successfully. It has a less complicated interface...in my opinion.

It has been around quite a while and is well-maintained. There is a paid version that I've never looked at.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Fishmill Special
    CPU
    Intel 265K
    Motherboard
    MSI Pro Z890-A
    Memory
    G Skill DDR5 2 x 16 kit 6000/36
    Graphics Card(s)
    none
    Sound Card
    none
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell 2316H
    Screen Resolution
    1600 x 900
    Hard Drives
    WD SN770 NVME 500 GB boot; Intel 660p NVME 2 TB and WD Green 3 TB storage
    PSU
    Be Quiet 13M 750 ATX 3.1
    Case
    Lancool PC-K65
    Cooling
    Noctua U12S
    Keyboard
    Logitech K120 Wired
    Mouse
    Dell MS-116
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender and Malwarebytes
I used Free File Sync successfully for several years.

But I switched to SyncBackFree about 5 years ago, also successfully. It has a less complicated interface...in my opinion.

It has been around quite a while and is well-maintained. There is a paid version that I've never looked at.

just installed that SyncBackFree and i am doing the first backup with it
very easy to set up and use and has a nice and simple layout.

thank you
best of luck Steve ..
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Home
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP 24" AiO
    CPU
    Ryzen 7 5825u
    Motherboard
    HP
    Memory
    64GB DDR4 3200
    Graphics Card(s)
    Ryzen 7 5825u
    Sound Card
    RealTek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    24" HP AiO
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080 @60 Hz
    Hard Drives
    1TB WD Blue SN580 M2 SSD Partitioned.
    2x 1TB USB HDD External Backup/Storage.
    PSU
    90W external power brick
    Case
    24" All in One
    Cooling
    Default Air Cooling
    Keyboard
    HP WiFi UK extended
    Mouse
    HP WiFi 3 Button
    Internet Speed
    1GB full fibre
    Browser
    Edge & Firefox
    Antivirus
    AVG Internet Security/Windows Defender
    Other Info
    Mainly Open Source Software
  • Operating System
    Ubuntu 22.04.5 LTS
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell 13" Latitude 2017
    CPU
    i5 7200u
    Motherboard
    Dell
    Memory
    16GB DDR4
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel
    Sound Card
    Intel
    Monitor(s) Displays
    13" Dell Laptop
    Hard Drives
    250GB Crucial 2.5" SSD
    Mouse
    Generic WiFi 3 button
    Internet Speed
    WiFi only
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    ClamAV TK
    Other Info
    Mainly Open Source Software
Robocopy (comes with Windows)
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    📷🔈🎧 🪛 DIY Photoshop/Audio/Game/tinker
    CPU
    i9 14900K P/E 5.8/4.5 GHz, cache 5.0 GHz
    Motherboard
    Asus ROG Maximus Z790 Dark Hero
    Memory
    🐏 96GB (2x48) G.skill Ripjaws 6800 MT/s
    Graphics Card(s)
    Asus ROG Strix 4070 Ti OC
    Sound Card
    🔊Bowers & Wilkins 606 S3 speakers; Audiolabs 7000a integrated amp; RSL 10S Mk2 sub; Creative Pebble Pro Minimilist
    Monitor(s) Displays
    🖥️🖥️ Eizo CG2730 ColorEdge, ViewSonic VP2768
    Screen Resolution
    🖥️🖥️ 2560 x 1440p x 2
    Hard Drives
    💾 WDC SN850X 4TB nvme, SN850 1TB nvme, SK-Hynix 2 TB P41 nvme,. Sabrent USB-C DS-SC5B 5-bay docking station: 6TB WDC Black, 6TB Ironwolf Pro; 2x 2TB WDC Black HDD
    PSU
    ⚡️ 850W Seasonic Vertex PX-850 ATX 3.0/PCI-E 5.0
    Case
    Fractal Design North XL Mesh, Black Walnut
    Cooling
    ❄️ EK Nucleus black 360 AIO w/Phanteks T30-120 fans, 2 Noctua NF-A14 Chromax case fan, 1 T30-120 fan cooling memory
    Keyboard
    ⌨️ Keychron Q3 Max TKL with custom GMK Redsuns Red Samuri keycaps, TX Stabs
    Mouse
    🖱️ Logitech G305 wireless gaming
    Internet Speed
    ⬇️ 500 Mb/s ⬆️ 12 Mb/s
    Browser
    🔥🦊 Firefox
    Antivirus
    🦺 Defender, Macrium Reflect X 🏆
    Other Info
    Phangkey Amaterasu V2 Desk Mat
  • Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    💻 Apple 13" Macbook Pro 2020 (m1)
    CPU
    Apple M1
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1600
    Browser
    Firefox
Robocopy (comes with Windows)
Wow. Did not know that this existed. Does robocopy have a GUI or front end available? Is Microsoft still active developing or supporting this tool? Is there any manual available for robocopy that can be referred to?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    CPU
    Intel
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel UHD Integrated
    Mouse
    Inbuilt
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender
I just use scripting. Here are some GUI - I haven't tried any of them


Here is the command line reference. Functionality Very similar to Synctoy.

I use the mirroring to back up my data.
 

Attachments

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    📷🔈🎧 🪛 DIY Photoshop/Audio/Game/tinker
    CPU
    i9 14900K P/E 5.8/4.5 GHz, cache 5.0 GHz
    Motherboard
    Asus ROG Maximus Z790 Dark Hero
    Memory
    🐏 96GB (2x48) G.skill Ripjaws 6800 MT/s
    Graphics Card(s)
    Asus ROG Strix 4070 Ti OC
    Sound Card
    🔊Bowers & Wilkins 606 S3 speakers; Audiolabs 7000a integrated amp; RSL 10S Mk2 sub; Creative Pebble Pro Minimilist
    Monitor(s) Displays
    🖥️🖥️ Eizo CG2730 ColorEdge, ViewSonic VP2768
    Screen Resolution
    🖥️🖥️ 2560 x 1440p x 2
    Hard Drives
    💾 WDC SN850X 4TB nvme, SN850 1TB nvme, SK-Hynix 2 TB P41 nvme,. Sabrent USB-C DS-SC5B 5-bay docking station: 6TB WDC Black, 6TB Ironwolf Pro; 2x 2TB WDC Black HDD
    PSU
    ⚡️ 850W Seasonic Vertex PX-850 ATX 3.0/PCI-E 5.0
    Case
    Fractal Design North XL Mesh, Black Walnut
    Cooling
    ❄️ EK Nucleus black 360 AIO w/Phanteks T30-120 fans, 2 Noctua NF-A14 Chromax case fan, 1 T30-120 fan cooling memory
    Keyboard
    ⌨️ Keychron Q3 Max TKL with custom GMK Redsuns Red Samuri keycaps, TX Stabs
    Mouse
    🖱️ Logitech G305 wireless gaming
    Internet Speed
    ⬇️ 500 Mb/s ⬆️ 12 Mb/s
    Browser
    🔥🦊 Firefox
    Antivirus
    🦺 Defender, Macrium Reflect X 🏆
    Other Info
    Phangkey Amaterasu V2 Desk Mat
  • Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    💻 Apple 13" Macbook Pro 2020 (m1)
    CPU
    Apple M1
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1600
    Browser
    Firefox
Here is a powershell wrapper I used to simplify it into a simplified copy or mirror like SyncToy, which I use in my backup powershell script to copy over the data. That script is wrapped in a batch file so I just have to run the batch file to backup.

Powershell:
unction rcopy {

  Param (
  [Parameter(Mandatory=$true,  Position=0)] [Int]  $type,
  [Parameter(Mandatory=$true,  Position=1)] [Int]  $rty,
  [Parameter(Mandatory=$true,  Position=2)] [String]  $src,
  [Parameter(Mandatory=$true,  Position=3)] [String]  $dst
  )
 
  $s = '"{0}"' -f $src
  $d = '"{0}"' -f $dst

Write-Host `nSyncing $s to $d

# type 1 is copy 2 MIR
#
$mt = 1  #for /MT:$mt
#
  switch ( $type )
  {
    1 {  $p = Start-Process -Filepath "C:\Windows\system32\robocopy.exe" -ArgumentList   " /s    /MT:$mt /A+:N /B /R:$rty /W:2 /NFL /NDL /NP /NJH  /SJ /XJ $s $d"  -Nonewwindow -Wait -PassThru }
    2 {  $p = Start-Process -Filepath "C:\Windows\system32\robocopy.exe" -ArgumentList   " /MIR  /MT:$mt /A+:n /B /R:$rty /W:2 /NFL /NDL /NP /NJH  /SJ /XJ $s $d" -Nonewwindow -Wait -PassThru }
  }
  $code = $p.ExitCode
  Switch ( $code )
  {
    16    {"Robocopy: Fatal Error"}
    15    {"Robocopy: Successful copies with failures, mismatches and extras"}
    14    {"Robocopy: Failure with mismatches and extras"}
    13    {"Robocopy: Successful copies with failures and mismatches"}   
    12    {"Robocopy: Failue with mismatches"} 
    11    {"Robocopy: Successful copies with failure and extras"}   
    10    {"Robocopy: Failure with extras"} 
     9    {"Robocopy: Successful copies with failures"}   
     8    {"Robocopy: Failure"}
     7    {"Robocopy: Successful copy with mismatches and extras"}
     6    {"Robocopy: Mismatches with extras"} 
     5    {"Robocopy: Successful copy with mismatches"} 
     4    {"Robocopy: Mismatches"} 
     3    {"Robocopy: Successful copy with extras"}   
     2    {"Robocopy: Extras"}   
     1    {"Robocopy: Successful copies"}
     0    {"Robocopy: No changes"}
     }
   }
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    📷🔈🎧 🪛 DIY Photoshop/Audio/Game/tinker
    CPU
    i9 14900K P/E 5.8/4.5 GHz, cache 5.0 GHz
    Motherboard
    Asus ROG Maximus Z790 Dark Hero
    Memory
    🐏 96GB (2x48) G.skill Ripjaws 6800 MT/s
    Graphics Card(s)
    Asus ROG Strix 4070 Ti OC
    Sound Card
    🔊Bowers & Wilkins 606 S3 speakers; Audiolabs 7000a integrated amp; RSL 10S Mk2 sub; Creative Pebble Pro Minimilist
    Monitor(s) Displays
    🖥️🖥️ Eizo CG2730 ColorEdge, ViewSonic VP2768
    Screen Resolution
    🖥️🖥️ 2560 x 1440p x 2
    Hard Drives
    💾 WDC SN850X 4TB nvme, SN850 1TB nvme, SK-Hynix 2 TB P41 nvme,. Sabrent USB-C DS-SC5B 5-bay docking station: 6TB WDC Black, 6TB Ironwolf Pro; 2x 2TB WDC Black HDD
    PSU
    ⚡️ 850W Seasonic Vertex PX-850 ATX 3.0/PCI-E 5.0
    Case
    Fractal Design North XL Mesh, Black Walnut
    Cooling
    ❄️ EK Nucleus black 360 AIO w/Phanteks T30-120 fans, 2 Noctua NF-A14 Chromax case fan, 1 T30-120 fan cooling memory
    Keyboard
    ⌨️ Keychron Q3 Max TKL with custom GMK Redsuns Red Samuri keycaps, TX Stabs
    Mouse
    🖱️ Logitech G305 wireless gaming
    Internet Speed
    ⬇️ 500 Mb/s ⬆️ 12 Mb/s
    Browser
    🔥🦊 Firefox
    Antivirus
    🦺 Defender, Macrium Reflect X 🏆
    Other Info
    Phangkey Amaterasu V2 Desk Mat
  • Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    💻 Apple 13" Macbook Pro 2020 (m1)
    CPU
    Apple M1
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1600
    Browser
    Firefox
I used Free File Sync successfully for several years.

But I switched to SyncBackFree about 5 years ago, also successfully. It has a less complicated interface...in my opinion.

It has been around quite a while and is well-maintained. There is a paid version that I've never looked at.
I will have a look at SyncBackFree option. A few queries on it. Firstly does it use any .NET framework libraries? Secondly does it install any Windows services, Startup items or Task Scheduler tasks?

From a cursory glance it seems SyncBackFree does provide the same level of backup of SyncToy, i.e. Echo, Synchronize, Contrib. With the additional benefit of having the files compressed. That has the potential to save a lot of space.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    CPU
    Intel
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel UHD Integrated
    Mouse
    Inbuilt
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender
I have little understanding of what it "uses".

I can tell you this:

I have it open right now.

In Task Manager, I see it is using about 20 MB of RAM.

I also see a SyncBack Schedules Monitor process using 3 MB of RAM.

I don't see any entries for it in my Startup folder.

In C:\Windows\System 32\Tasks\2BrightSparks\SyncBackFree, I see a subfolder for my computer's name. That folder is empty.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Fishmill Special
    CPU
    Intel 265K
    Motherboard
    MSI Pro Z890-A
    Memory
    G Skill DDR5 2 x 16 kit 6000/36
    Graphics Card(s)
    none
    Sound Card
    none
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell 2316H
    Screen Resolution
    1600 x 900
    Hard Drives
    WD SN770 NVME 500 GB boot; Intel 660p NVME 2 TB and WD Green 3 TB storage
    PSU
    Be Quiet 13M 750 ATX 3.1
    Case
    Lancool PC-K65
    Cooling
    Noctua U12S
    Keyboard
    Logitech K120 Wired
    Mouse
    Dell MS-116
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender and Malwarebytes
I just use scripting. Here are some GUI - I haven't tried any of them


Here is the command line reference. Functionality Very similar to Synctoy.

I use the mirroring to back up my data.
Some of these features of robocopy are good. For example the option appears to help in speeding up the copying, especially large files.
Batch:
/J :: copy using unbuffered I/O (recommended for large files).

But Robocopy does not seem to support all the three mechanisms, Echo, Synchronize and Contrib.
Synchronize - aka Mirror, where changes between both folder pairs are done both ways. So if a file/folder is renamed on the destination target the same is done in the source target too. And vice-versa. So both source and destination are alike.
Echo - aka Image. All the changes, i.e new, deletion, rename, modifications are copied from source to destination. The destination is an exact replica of source.
Contrib - Only limited changes to existing files/folders, i.e. rename, modifications and new items, are copied from source to target. Deletions from source are not done on the destination. Destination may have more files/folders than source.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    CPU
    Intel
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel UHD Integrated
    Mouse
    Inbuilt
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender
Another workaround using File Explorer: Just copy-paste all the folder contents to the backup. After processing the new files, it will ask you what you want to do with existing files. Click on "manually select for each file". Next you see the option to skip files with the same filename, same size and same date (unmodified) already checked. Click next to overwrite only the modified files and folders. Now the backup contains the same files as the source plus those you deleted from the source. This is helpful if you delete some files accidentally so you can restore them from backup. You can then decide if you want to delete them from backup too.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 (5699), 25H2 (8457)
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Acer Extensa 5630EZ
    CPU
    Mobile DualCore Intel Core 2 Duo T7250, 2000 MHz
    Motherboard
    Acer Extensa 5630
    Memory
    4GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Mobile Intel(R) GMA 4500M (Mobile 4 series)
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC268 @ Intel 82801IB ICH9 - High Definition Audio Controller
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1
    Screen Resolution
    1280x800
    Hard Drives
    Samsung SSD 850 EVO 250GB SATA Device (250 GB, SATA-III)
    Internet Speed
    VDSL 50 Mbps
    Browser
    MICROSOFT EDGE
    Antivirus
    WINDOWS DEFENDER
    Other Info
    Legacy MBR installation, no TPM, no Secure Boot, no WDDM 2.0 graphics drivers, no SSE4.2, cannot get more unsupported ;) This is only my test laptop. I had installed Windows 11 here before upgrading my main PC. For my main PC I use everyday see my 2nd system specs.
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro v25H2 (build 26200.8457)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom-built PC
    CPU
    Intel Core-i7 3770 3.40GHz s1155 (3rd generation)
    Motherboard
    Asus P8H61 s1155 ATX
    Memory
    2x Kingston Hyper-X Blu 8GB DDR3-1600
    Graphics card(s)
    GIGABYTE GeForce RTX 3050 WINDFORCE OC V2 6GB (GV-N3050WF2OCV2-6GD)
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD audio (ALC887)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Sony Bravia KDL-19L4000 19" LCD TV via VGA
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900 32-bit 60Hz
    Hard Drives
    WD Blue SA510 2.5 1000GB SSD as system disk, Western Digital Caviar Purple 4TB SATA III (WD40PURZ) as second
    PSU
    Thermaltake Litepower RGB 550W Full Wired
    Case
    SUPERCASE MIDI-TOWER
    Cooling
    Deepcool Gamma Archer CPU cooler, 1x 8cm fan at the back
    Keyboard
    Mitsumi 101-key PS/2
    Mouse
    Sunnyline OptiEye PS/2
    Internet Speed
    100Mbps
    Browser
    Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Windows Defender
    Other Info
    Legacy BIOS (MBR) installation, no TPM, no Secure Boot, WDDM 3.0 graphics drivers, WEI score 7.4
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