FreeFileSync: Open Source App to synchronize files and folders
Our post today will be dedicated to that important computing activity that we should not neglect, or downplay it, that is, the perform data backups, either from our own teams or from others, for personal or work reasons.
To this end, DesdeLinux We have talked before about various software mechanisms or tools, such as, a Backup Script using various commands like Rsync, or graphic applications like mintbackup, among other. And for this reason, today we will talk about a software tool in this area, of which we had more than 8 years without updating its information, called «FreeFileSync ».
How to make a Data Backup in Equipment using Shell Scripting?
Before entering fully on the application «FreeFileSync », we will recommend as usual at the end of this publication to read our previous related post with the subject where we express among other things, the following:
"… Although there are many graphical applications to be used by both novice and experienced users, as well as by System Administrators (Sysadmins), the best thing is to be able to create our own applications or routines using scripts. In the latter case in particular and in cases where it is preferable to be extremely selective or detailed with which to support, it is always better to make use of automated tasks within the Shell of the Operating System, using Shell Scripting." How to make a Data Backup in Equipment using Shell Scripting?
FreeFileSync: File and Folder Synchronization App
FreeFileSync: File and Folder Synchronization App
What is FreeFileSync?
According to his Official website, "FreeFileSync" is
"A folder comparison and synchronization software that creates and manages backups of all your important files. Instead of copying each file at a time, FreeFileSync determines the differences between a source and destination folder and transfers only the minimum amount of data required. FreeFileSync is open source software, available for Windows, macOS, and Linux."
Furthermore, it is worth noting that, "FreeFileSync" It is a modern and constantly updated software, so it is currently on the stable version 11.6 date of release of 01/02/2021.
Features
Some of its most notable features and / or functionalities among the many it offers, are the following:
- It is Open Source and free to download.
- It does not include advertising in the installer or in the application.
- Synchronize folders on shared networks and local drives.
- Allows synchronization with mobile devices through MTP (Android, iPhone, tablet, Digital camera).
- Allows syncing with Google Drive cloud storage.
- It incorporates a free FTP Client, which allows synchronization using FTP (File Transfer Protocol) and FTPS (SSL / TLS).
- Allows access to files online using SFTP (SSH File Transfer Protocol).
- It does not include artificial limits on the number of files to sync.
- Detects files and folders that have been moved and renamed.
- Allows you to receive notifications of the synchronization results by email.
- It makes it easy to manage versions and keep a history of deleted / updated files.
- Allows you to compare and synchronize multiple files in parallel.
- Displays the space usage of the analyzed drive as a directory tree.
- Allows you to copy locked files (Volume Shadow Copy Service).
- Compare files by content.
- It handles the use of symbolic links, NTFS junctions, and WSL symbolic links well.
- Allows you to automate synchronization tasks as a batch job.
- Process multiple pairs of folders if necessary.
- Provides comprehensive and detailed bug reports.
- Allows copying of NTFS extended attributes (compressed, encrypted, sparse), and NTFS security permissions.
Download, Installation, Use and Screenshots
It can be downloaded directly from the download section from their official website. And after downloaded and unzipped, via console or graphically, it only needs to be executed in the same way, to be installed. For the rest, it can be executed through its direct access via Main Menu to access its friendly and comprehensive graphical interface that we will show below.
For more information on its use, you can access its Online Manual and its section FAQ within its official website.
Conclusion
We hope this "useful little post" about «FreeFileSync», which is an interesting and useful alternative open source multiplatform application to manage file and folder synchronizations in our free and open distributions; is of great interest and utility, for the entire «Comunidad de Software Libre y Código Abierto» and of great contribution to the diffusion of the wonderful, gigantic and growing ecosystem of applications of «GNU/Linux».
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Hello. I have several external hard drives in which there is a lot of repeated content, the point is that deleting what is repeated by hand can be tedious, because we are not talking about gigs, but about boobs. Would this program help me to compare what is repeated between two HDDS and delete what is repeated? Thanks. Greetings.
Greetings, Well serve. Thanks for your comment. Regarding your question, I assume that if you connect the 2 disks and they have the same file structure, either from the root or only comparing a folder, the program in case of getting an identical file in the destination will not copy it, so save time and memory and cpu resources. But comparing filesystems and deleting duplicates, I don't think, that's why he created that there are specialized programs for analyzing duplicate files, FreeFileSync is more about synchronizing backups.
Expanding on the previous answer, I mean that the program lets you compare 2 folders and synchronize their contents, but if what you want is to search a single folder for duplicate files, it is preferable to use programs such as: Duff, Fdupes and Rdfind for Terminal Environment , and Fslint and dupeGuru for Graphic Desktop.
Thank you very much for your detailed answer, I will look at the other options that you tell me, which seem to be better for my purpose.
Greetings.