Best way to sync between HDD and External Hard Drive?

[davidh304]

I have files (primarily photos and videos) on my Desktop PC that uses Windows 7. I have an online cloud storage backup but would also like to backup files to my external 1TB Hard Drive for extra security and to let the family get copies of my pictures.

My backup doesn't sync my data it simply backs up what is currently on my Desktop.

I think I have some older pictures on my external drive. If I just copy everything from my desktop (and delete the current content to make room) I may accidentally delete older pictures.

I don't want to copy my entire desktop data drive, I don't mind if I lose my music files for example. Is there a way to keep certain folders sync'd?

I think there is probably an easy way to do this but just can't seem to find it.

Thanks!

 

[samuria]

Built in Robocopy will do all that type robocopy /? from cmd prompt or if it helps you can get a gui Utility Spotlight: Robocopy GUI

 

[redoak]

Robocopy can be made to do just what you want - I have some scripts that back up/sync a bunch of directories using robocopy.

A GUI program that does much the same thing is SyncToy (search for it on the Microsoft website). Once you understand its options, it is very useful.

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

Similar to SyncToy, I prefer FreeFileSync. I've been using it to back up the drives to external drives for quite some time now.

 

[johnhoh]

this command (or put it in a batch file and place on desktop) will copy files from your main drive to your backup drive, copying only the new files or files updated since your last backup. Add "/s" to include subfolders. Use your own computer names and folder names.

start /w robocopy \\computer1\datafolder\ \\computer2\datafolder1\ /xo

 

[Brds7t7]

Built in Robocopy will do all that type robocopy /? from cmd prompt or if it helps you can get a gui Utility Spotlight: Robocopy GUI

Similar to SyncToy, I prefer FreeFileSync. I've been using it to back up the drives to external drives for quite some time now.

+1 for both Robocopy and FreeFileSync. I use both of these depending on what I want to copy/sync.

Robocopy has much more options - many that you'll probably never use. If you're not comfortable with commands at all then I would go with FreeFileSync. Very easy to use.