FreeFileSync Forum

Thank you for your patience.

For the sake of completeness, having said that, if you wish, we can close:

The parent folder contains the file that stores all the passwords saved in the browser (Brave) and the file that organizes all the bookmarks:
"C:\Users\MyUser\AppData\Local\BraveSoftware\Brave ...

'*' is a wildcard, which in this case yes, catches everything xCSxXenon, 20 Apr 2026, 14:36

Sorry to ask, but I need explicit confirmation:
If I add filters, the asterisk should be removed. Right?
Thanks

I had imagined, for some reason, that the filter logic was that all other objects must be added to the exclusion list.
Instead, it works exactly like a "white" list: only explicitly allowed objects pass through.
Thanks
--

I forgot...

When you open the filter ("Include" specifically) at the top of ...

I found myself reinstalling a browser and no longer had my Favorites and Passwords.

To avoid this problem in the future, I tried creating sync pairs in FFS: three simple files, not folders:
Bookmarks
Login Data
Login Data For Account

These files are contained in a "Profile" folder that contains ...

Or, you can work your way around it, as described here, and the links provided there. Plerry, 02 Nov 2025, 09:45

I already imagined the solution and you confirm it. Thanks.

I'm just using the "Use database files to detect changes" feature, which makes the FFS scan/comparison more reliable (Right?)
However, the db file "sync.ffs_db", despite being a hidden file, happens to be seen almost everywhere by that category of Windows users who prefer to keep the display of ...

Sorry, I'm an idiot :-( :-( :-(
I always looked in the Compare/Sync settings
Thanks . . .

I remember wrongly Or did FFS have a user-settable numeric "limiter" for reports to delete older reports?
Or am I confusing it with the Windows Forfiles utility?
---
If I remember correctly, where is this setting?

Sounds like you only need one. The .ffs_batch type is what allows starting a sync without any visual interruption.

Only one ok!
Doing only manual syncs, not batches started in the background by Windows Task Scheduler for example, it is enough to use only ffs_gui.
I just wanted a confirmation ...

Hello everyone . . .

Stupid question, sorry . . .

For years, out of ignorance, bovinely, for all the synchronizations I have created, I run both the .ffs_batch and .ffs_gui extensions even though I am almost sure that the synchronization result is identical and it is useless to do both.
(Also ...

You explained yourself well, thanks! I'm the one who only partially understood. But that's okay!

However, by creating two different synchronizations to run separately, one after the other works without errors.

But I don't understand why up until twenty days ago I made thousands of IDENTICAL ...

The read/write lines are referencing the same files because that is the issue (possibly). Your locations are configured in such a way that there is a location that is being read from for one folder pair and also written to for a different pair

Thank you . . .

I didn't understand much... but the ...

2Screenshot 2023-11-16 165149.jpg Attention
Some files will sync as part of multiple folder pairs.
To avoid conflicts, set exclusion filters so that each updated file is included from only one pair of folders.

Conflicting files:
"Some files will sync as part of multiple folder pairs. To avoid ...

No :-(
Default is thirty . . .
Something told me it was there, or maybe I remembered seeing the option. But I didn't find it. . .
Sorry . . .

Is it possible to add a user-chosen limitation to saved logs? For days: e.g. the last 10/30 days, or by number: e.g. the last 10?

Cheers

kRel

PS
it is an application very close to perfection. Thanks

I confirm: problem solved with new version:

Latest Changes
FreeFileSync 12.2
Fixed temporary access error when creating multiple folders in parallel
Log failure to copy folder attributes as warning only

To clarify,

With the Free Portable version
There is no portable version for the free edition.

After all, this error never occurred until I used the free version. The error only started happening with the Donate version.
This probably means 'this error never occurred while using the free ...

@kRel: I suspect it's a similar issue when multiple threads are creating the temp directories for recycling, but:

you using multiple synchronization threads?
No. I'm currently using only one sync tread. At least I think so...

Are you sure about that? What values have you set for "parallel ...

Back to discussion also because to @Salvatore Besso these errors happen with the "Donate" version and - as happens to Salvatore - I too have to click 2 or more times on "Ignore" to complete the synchronization.

With the Free Portable version FreeFileSync_11.28_[Donation_Edition]_Windows_Portable ...

Hi,

I would like to uninstall FFS v.Donate to reinstall it again.

How to do?

Cheers

Today:

Most likely a buffering issue with the "E:\" network share. Are you using multiple synchronization threads?
Do you see these "RecycleBin~68d0.ffs_tmp" folders also when you navigate there using Windows Explorer?
It's unclear to me whether these ffs_tmp folders are remnants from a previous sync, or ...

I wonder if the drive(s) is failing xCSxXenon, 21 Mar 2023, 14:08

It could also be... But only with FFS?
I have no warnings about disk problems, SMART reports nothing, scandisk/chkdsk reports no errors.

The <base folder>\RecycleBin~68d0.ffs_temp folders are temporarily created by FFS to gather all to be recycled files, and move them to the drive's recycle bin in one go. They're cleaned up automatically after sync (or so they should).
If another FFS instance sees them, it means something went ...

Zenju explained the use of the Recyclebin...ffs_tmp folder here .
Most likely cause for your problem seems to be multiple instances of FFS running at the same time or early termination of an FFS instance.

Thanks for the info, sorry for the double post: days after my first question I forgot I ...

"E:\SOFTWARE\Recyclebin~142c.ffs_tmp\Backup-Sync-DiskImages"
Please note the exact path and the exact name of the (***.ffs_tmp)

FFS v12.1 - 64Bit - 2023-02-21 - Donate Version

I had already talked about this problem a couple of weeks ago, and I was advised to exclude RecycleBin through filters ...

Thanks, now I have no more errors. Removed absolute paths, put relative references to Recycle in "local" filters and put *RecycleBin* in the general filter

You should exclude any recycle bin folders from your syncs

The recycled.bin had already been excluded for two years.

By installing the "Donate" version two months ago the old settings migrated from free to Donate, in fact the filters for recycle.bin remained.

Please - if you want - look ...

Hi...

For some time now, syncs have been crashing frequently and more than once with pop-up alerts like this:

"Could not read attributes of file: 'E:\OTHER\RecycleBin~68d0.ffs_temp\LINKS'.
Temporary access error: ERROR_FILE_NOT_FOUND: The specified file cannot be found. [GetFileAttributes ...

For some unknown (at the moment) reasons, the two options that require elevation are checked:

[x] Copy locked files (requires administrator rights)
[x] Copy DACL, SACL, Owner, Group (requires administrator rights)

Uncheck them and try again.

As you suggested I disabled the two options and the ...

Sorry if I answer only now!
Christmas engagements....

I gave the command as you suggested - the response was that all objects on the desktop belong to me

obviously the file/files that weren't copied weren't opened by other apps :-)

Hi and thanks @xCSxXenon

I have read the discussion you sent me to, but in this regard I would like to point out two simple things: (attention, it is not a controversy! it is only a desire to understand what has happened lately):

I don't know if the date of the occurrence of the problem coincides ...

Hi . . .

Free File Sync v. 11.29 - 64 bit - 16/12/2022

Before upgrading to the donation version, I synced with no issues. Now - also for objects on the desktop - e.g. clipboard.txt I get the error:

ERROR_ELEVATION_REQUIRED: Run with elevated privileges is required to perform the requested ...

The donation concept has been updated a few days ago:
https://freefilesync.org/faq.php#donation-edition

There is no mention of device limits or update intervals anymore and there are no plans to reintroduce them in the forseeable future.

Hello and thank you for your reply.

On the page ...

How does Free File Sync behave for all objects that have not been included in the "Exclude" filter - and - in the "Include" filter?

Regards

Good morning everyone.

Does the donation unlock some features indefinitely or for a limited period of time? In the second hypothesis, how long does the full version last?

Thanks.

Greetings . . .

Looks like this has turned into a feature request. Zenju will have to change it to post that warning before sync

At first I was convinced it was my mistake, now your words make me think of a change to report, but I don't know if I can do it, and in which discussion to insert the request.
Thanks ...

now and always:

Sorry, maybe the translator has changed the concept I wanted to express. Or I didn't quite understand your explanation. In any case, thanks for your reply.

To be clear and avoid misunderstandings, I am forced to be long and trivial.

My intent is to have an identical copy of some directories ...

NON-EXISTING PROBLEM
I WAS WRONG. I APOLOGIZE
CORRECTION IN THE LAST DISCUSSION

Always FreeFileSync, only at the end of the synchronization, sometimes produces a warning similar to this (ex.): "The folders D:\Download and E:\Dowload are significantly different, please check"

Unfortunately, however ...

At startup, FreeFileSync proposes new versions if any. Can this routine be modified to propose updating at the end of the task you want to perform, before leaving the session?

Good morning @PIerry and thank you.

Sorry if I didn't read your answer right away but I went on vacation for a week and on my return I had the usual commitments of returning.

I only read today and I hope you will read this letter of mine, at least for due response to your answer, to thank you for ...

Hello . . .

the batch file *.ffs_batch, in what order is it executed?

From the first line at the top to go down to the bottom row, or on the contrary, from the bottom row to the top row?

I think from top to bottom, but the warning "some files will be synchronized as part of multiple base folders ...

...
There are many reasons why automated backups are a bad idea. To be able to automate a backup, the destination drive needs to be connected to the computer at the time the backup is to take place. That normally means the drive is connected to the computer full time, leaving the drive ...

I fully understand the dilemma and the risk that an excellent program like FFS may die due to lack of funds. I also think that Pup's offer poor remuneration, so you should study another method. . . :)

As for me, I just paid 10 euros.

For drive-letter mapped network locations, you can tell Windows if you want those drives to be reconnected during the next logon or not.
And by running command-line "net use ..." instruction, you can tell Windows
* to mount a mapped drive by using "net use [driveletter:] [\\computername\sharename ...

Have you tried to look here?

https://freefilesync.org/manual.php?topic=schedule-a-batch-job

it works perfectly to me ....

be careful not to make the mistake of inserting the variables in the command line....

How do you imagine that?
Something like that would need to be addressed at OS level.
And it sort of is, and is called user access control.

If you run your FFS sync(s) under dedicated sync user/password credentials
and give only that user write access in your backup location, and (as far as ...

To keep safe my backups created by FreeFileSync I keep the backup drive alwais disconnected from my computer

This method is the safest, but it is inconvenient and does not allow scheduled backup procedures, so I make backups only when I remember

Is it possible to set up in FreeFileSync a security ...

This is my first msg: greetings to all. . .

Using FFS for some years and I am satisfied, but there are some things I do not understand because of my poor knowledge of english. For the same reason, it is possible that the subject has already been treated and I have not been able to locate it and ...

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