Options to sync folder with EXT-HD

I have photo/docoments/etc. folders with family old stuff that I would like to sync w/ext hd. I do acronis backups, but what are options without using copy/paste? does Win11 have this feature and if so how? If not any 3rd party apps?

thanks

I added the Registry feature to get Copy to and Move to on the right-click of files and folders in File Explorer and can work with groups easily. I prefer not using a backup program for the purpose as it is sometimes harder to extract particular files. And it's easy to specify any desired folder.

Maybe something here:

Only way I know of native to windows is to use onedrive. You would have to move your onedrive folder to the external drive. Then sync your folders from your computer to onedrive and choose to also have them visible in your onedrive folder on your computer.



You can also use googledrive. When it comes to individual folder syncing, I much prefer googledrive as it gives me more control for syncing individual folders than onedrive does. You would first sync your user folder to googledrive. Then setup googledrive to stream its files right back into a physical presence folder on your computer (ie: your external drive)

I thought of moving them to OneDrive cloud but sometimes I'm at places without Wi-Fi.

PA WOODCHUCK said:

I thought of moving them to OneDrive cloud but sometimes I'm at places without Wi-Fi.

Click to expand...

It doesn't require Wi-Fi, just an Internet connection and Router with Ethernet cable to the computer can work.

Berton said:

It doesn't require Wi-Fi, just an Internet connection and Router with Ethernet cable to the computer can work.

Click to expand...

which I don't have at some places, other place connection is very, very slow.

I do not know how much storage you require for these files, but with a Google (gmail) account, you get 15 gb of cloud storage for free. Of course you can purchase whatever amount you need.

Onedrive used to offer a desktop app, but Microsoft discontinued it. Google offers Drive for Desktop. It can be optioned to either stream or mirror your files. With mirroring, your files are stored in the cloud and on your computer, which takes up hard drive space. You can access your files at any time, even when you don’t have an internet connection or the Drive for desktop app running. You can access files through a folder on your computer.

Configure My Drive for streaming or mirroring​

1. Open Drive for desktop.
2. Click Settings
   
   
   Preferences.
3. On the left, click Folders from Drive.
4. Under "My Drive syncing options," select Stream files or Mirror files.

Google Drive: Share Files Online with Secure Cloud Storage | Google Workspace

Learn about Google Drive’s file sharing platform that provides a personal, secure cloud storage option to share content with other users.

www.google.com

PA WOODCHUCK​

If what you are looking for is a 'pure' (old-school) PC/Laptop-based sync solution with no internet access required (after installation) then you could try FreeFileSync - Perhaps the RealTimeSync option would suit your purpose if/when you work with the external/backup drive attached.

There will probably be some alternative freeware options available with similar features that might also suit, but there is less of this type of software around because of the growth in 'cloud-based' options.

I tend to use FreeFileSync for its manual sync features because it is a cross-platform app that works across Windows, Mac and Linux; and also as an additional form of data backup. But it does also have the ability to sync with mobile devices and online services.