Using SyncToy to Backup Your Data

On the EUI Windows-based computers (both Research  and Staff Configuration ) you can use SyncToy to swiftly copy data onto a portable device and keep the backup in sync.

This guide will run you through the basics of setting up such a one-way backup, called "Echo" sync [1] :

1. Start up SyncToy from the "All programs" menu.
   
2. If it's your first time using SyncToy, you will be prompted to setup a new "folder pair", click "Create New Folder Pair":
   
    
   
   Figure 1: Folder pair setup wizard
   
   
3. You will now see a window asking for 2 locations: source (on the left) and destination (on the right). As an example the left could be a local folder on your G: Drive and the right folder a USB device  such as an external hard disk or pendrive:
   
    
   
   Figure 2: Choosing folder pairs
   
   
4. In the next option select "Echo", meaning that files are copied from the Left folder to the Right: if you delete a file/folder on the Source (left), it will also be deleted on the Destination Backup (right). The same is valid for new files and for renaming.
   
   
   In our above example, this means that the backup on the USB device will always be in sync with the original contents on the computer folder BUT NOT viceversa (new files created on the USB devices will NOT be copied onto the computer)!
   
    
   
   Figure 3: Choosing proper sync method
   
   

5. Next you will be asked to name your folder pair, this is because you can create multiple pairs for different needs.
   
    
   
   Figure 4: Naming your folder pair

6. You have now successfully setup a 2-folder one-way sync (best option for backup). Now when you open SyncToy again you shall see the same screen with all your synced pairs. You can create new ones, delete existing folder pairs or rename your pairs:
   
    
   
   Figure 5: Folder pair management

7. When you want to sync, simply click "Run" and you will be informed of the operations carried out:
   
    
   
   Figure 6: Synchronization results

8. The "Preview" button will display a window showing operations that have not yet been carried out (but would as soon as you'd hit "Run"). Here you can uncheck actions you do not wish to carry out such as a specific file you do not want copied across or folders you do not want deleted.

[1]  = other sync methods inlcude:

• Synchronize = takes the two folders and makes sure they have exactly the same files. To do this, SyncToy may copy files in either direction and may delete or rename files in either folder.

  In the case that a file has been updated in both the left and right folders, the version with the later modification date is considered the conflict winner and will overwrite the other version: use with extreme caution as this may result in loss of data!

• Contribute = is like Echo, but it does not delete any files on the right folder that may have been deleted in the left folder.