Windows 7: Briefcase Automatic Sync

I am trying to find a way to syncronise my laptop files with my desktop. I have come across mention of using the inbuilt Briefcase function, but as far as I can tell this only work if you press "update" to get the most recent files. Some posts mention Briefcase is automatic whereas Synctool is manual. What am I missing? A manual process isn't any use to me.



Thanks Mike

Will this do?
Download details: SyncToy 2.1

edit: sorry, just re-read your post. Apologies

Unfortuantely SyncToy is manual. I think I can just use the in build offline file function. It's actually for my daughters new laptop and I want to make sure her work is backed up. I am hopnig the following with work:

1. She creates her folder structure in her laptop account then makes it available for sharing.
2. From my pc I map her folder and set her whole folder to offline.
3. As she creates new documents and comes onto my home network my pc will take a copy in this CSC folder. Hoping that if she creates folders under her main folder these wil lautomaticalyl be included in offline avaiabilty, but not sure?
4. As part of my backup routine I include the CSC folder...this bit I'm not sure about?

if anyone can tell me fi this will work I'd be grateful

Mike

Here are two good options:

1 - Download and install Dropbox (Free, 2GB space) and any files you put in your Dropbox folder will sync across all your computers instantly. It also saves different versions of files and will allow you link to your file for downloading. It also has an online interface and iPhone application.

2 - Download and install Gmail Drive and make a separate Gmail account for storing files. It will show up in My Computer in any computers you install it on (free, ~8GB)

Personally, I prefer Dropbox because it's easy to link to files and the consistency and revisions features are great.

Dropbox looks good for her school docuemnts as unlikely to exceed 2GB and sounds like she could pick thmer up of the web if she was at school without her laptop. Can she put the whole of her "My documents" folder into the dropbox and is there any limit on sub folders? I have looked a few few simialr programs and fallen foul of them only having a small number of sub folders that will sync with the free version?

I was also hoping to sync her itunes folder so as not to lose her purchased music/movies but that will be too big for dropbox hence wondering about the in-built offline feature. That stuff is less vital so i was hopnig to just runa batch file to doan xcopy/robocopy to my main pc, but struggling to find an app that can run on shutdownhich is the subject of another forum question.

You can create a virtual link from the My Documents folder into the Dropbox folder, making it act as if the folder is there. Also when you install Dropbox, you can try changing the default location from "My Dropbox" to "My Documents"

Like I said, for larger files you can install Gmail Drive which will mount a Gmail account as a hard drive in My Computer. Any files you put there will show up in Gmail
and in any computers you install Gmail Drive on.

I'm not sure about relocating her itunes folder into the Gmail drive as I've found itunes to be very toucy about fiel locations. In theory it should work by redirecting her preferences. It's a brand new laptop so I can try this all out before I hand it over and she uses it in anger. Thanks for the advice.

is this any help?
2BrightSparks | SyncBackSE | Features

There are loads of pay for syncing programs around but thoguht that there shoudl be some built in function within windows by now. I dont need real time syncing just a backup option. Dropbox appears to give real time syncing for free for modest amounts of data. thanks for suggestion tho.