Sync only the directory tree

[chota300]

A prior post indicated this can be done in the Windows command line.
viewtopic.php?t=9255&p=34303&hilit=directory#p34303

But this can be a bit error prone, and tedious if the user does not want all of the directories at a given tree level to be replicated.

I would like to suggest that a new function be created within FFS to duplicate a directory structure without copying the files. This process is often needed when creating a new sync job covering a set of directories. This new function would essentially be a setup function when creating a new sync job.

Thank you.

[Plerry]

> I would like to suggest that a new function be created within FFS to
duplicate a directory structure without copying the files.

This already possible by:
• changing the Include Filter from * into *\
this should only include (and thus sync) directories

If you don't want all directories to be synced, first run a Compare (using above Include Filter), and then either select the directories to be included or, conversely, directories to be excluded, whichever is more convenient for your use-case.

> This process is often needed when creating a new sync job covering a set of directories.

When specifying a left or right base location, and the deepest level of the intended base location does exist yet, you can copy/paste or drag/drop the parent of the intended base location and then add/type the name of the new folder. FFS will then tell you that that location does not exist yet and ask if it should create it for you.

[Zenju]

A prior post indicated this can be done in the Windows command line.
viewtopic.php?t=9255&p=34303&hilit=directory#p34303

You should have read the whole thread. The solution with FFS is right there: viewtopic.php?t=9255#p34607

> I would like to suggest that a new function be created within FFS to
duplicate a directory structure without copying the files.

This already possible by:
• changing the Include Filter from * into *\
this should only include (and thus sync) directories

This doesn't work because there is an additional FFS filter rule:

• If the filter is matching a folder, all its files and subfolders are also (implicitly) matched. Thus the filter phrases SubFolder\ and SubFolder\* are synonymous.

I've added this to https://freefilesync.org/manual.php?topic=exclude-files
This rule doesn't apply to the new *:. So the solution to OP's request is just a simple *: exclude filter.

[chota300]

Thank you both for your help.
I have read these replies repeatedly and have to admit that I still do not know what the correct method is.
Since you two do not seem to exactly agree either, I guess I should not feel too bad.

What led me to my frustration is attempting to replicate 13 selected root level directories ( only the directory trees ) into an existing directory on another disk, then sync all those selected directories at a later date ( due to the volume of files in them ) in a single sync job. I found this to be a tedious process, but I eventually got it done.

It would not surprise me too much if I were in the small minority of users attempting such a task. But perhaps others essentiallly do much of the same when creating a new sync job. If so, perhaps it is worthwhile to create a high-level filter option/switch to sync only the directory trees. Or maybe add a separate example of the include and/or exclude filters required for such. Even better would be an interface to select a number of directories on the source side, then select the top ( disk or directory ) for the target side, and build the sync job to sync the directory trees. But then again I do tend to think out of the box.

So thank you for your help.
If features or examples are added, I will try them as my needs arise.
If not, I will deal with the status quo.
FFS is a very good product as is.

[Plerry]

> Since you two do not seem to exactly agree

When in doubt, follow the advice of Zenju.
After all, Zenju is the author of FFS; I am just a (meanwhile) experienced user.