FreeFileSync 14.10 Download for Windows, macOS, and Linux

Power User Guide

Setting Up a Mirror Backup for Critical Data

1. Open FreeFileSync and click the green + icon to add a new folder pair.
2. In the left pane, select your source folder (e.g., C:\MyDocuments).
3. In the right pane, select your backup destination (e.g., D:\Backup\MyDocuments).
4. Click the Synchronization settings icon (gear icon next to Synchronize) and choose the Mirror variant. Ensure the left folder is the source and the right is the target.
5. Click Compare to see the differences, then Synchronize to create an exact copy of your source data on the destination.

Reason To Do This: The Mirror synchronization variant is ideal for creating exact backups. It ensures your destination folder is an identical replica of the source, deleting any files in the destination that are no longer present in the source. This is crucial for maintaining clean, up-to-date backups and freeing up space by removing obsolete files.

Automating Synchronization with Batch Jobs

1. After configuring your desired folder pair and synchronization settings in FreeFileSync, go to File > Save as batch job….
2. In the Save as batch job dialog, you can configure options like Run minimized and Auto-close after completion.
3. Save the .ffs_batch file to a convenient location (e.g., your desktop).
4. Double-click this batch file to run your synchronization task automatically without opening the main FreeFileSync application.

Reason To Do This: Automating synchronization with batch jobs significantly streamlines your backup routine. Instead of manually opening the application and initiating the sync, a single click on the batch file executes the predefined task, saving time and ensuring consistent backups with minimal effort. This is particularly useful for regular, repetitive sync operations.

Excluding Specific Files or Folders from Sync

1. In the main FreeFileSync window, after selecting your folder pair, click the Filter settings icon (funnel icon).
2. In the Include/Exclude dialog, you can add specific file names, extensions (e.g., *.tmp), or folder names to be ignored during synchronization.
3. Use the Exclude list to specify items you do not want to be synchronized.
4. Click OK to apply the filters, then Compare to see how the changes affect your sync preview.

Reason To Do This: Filtering allows for granular control over your synchronization process, preventing unnecessary files (like temporary files, system logs, or specific project folders) from being copied. This helps optimize sync speed, conserve disk space on your destination, and ensures that only relevant data is managed, leading to more efficient and cleaner backups.