So when I sync it says: "The folders are created automatically when needed."
Is there any way I can make it so that folders are NOT created automatically when needed?
Basis is that I was wanting to use FreeFileSync to get back up and running again quickly from a fresh install by putting config files where I need them; but I DON'T want it to create folders and place files if the directory isn't there (software isn't installed.)
Is there any way to do this? Thanks.
If directory doesn't exist, do nothing?
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Custom sync rules
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Oh damn you're completely right.Custom sync rules xCSxXenon, 28 Apr 2025, 16:43
I can just make "Item exists on left side only": "Do nothing".
Sometimes it's hard to visualise and think about this stuff XD
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Actually I think I'm realising this wouldn't work too well...
Basically I was hoping I could just press "Swap sides" on the interface, switch everything to "don't do anything if it's only on the left side" and (with some other minor adjustments - and saving separately) my backup script now becomes a "restore" script.
Problem is there's stuff that genuinely wouldn't exist on a fresh install of the program (right side); so the "don't do anything if it's only on the left side" would make it not work too well for a lot of programs.
Not all the left side entries in my backup script would exist; it's not "perfect" because I like to have certain entries there incase I do install that program again; which is why I need the "don't do anything if it's only on the left side" to quickly "hack it" into a "restore" script. But like I said; certain things actually wouldn't be put in place then - but other times it is exactly what I need.
Of course I could go through it all manually; but that requires me to maintain yet another FFS script; and at that point; considering this is an only "run once" script to get me setup in Windows (after I've installed all programs); dragging and dropping manually on a fresh install would maybe just be better...
Hmmm.
Unless there's something I'm not seeing.
Basically I was hoping I could just press "Swap sides" on the interface, switch everything to "don't do anything if it's only on the left side" and (with some other minor adjustments - and saving separately) my backup script now becomes a "restore" script.
Problem is there's stuff that genuinely wouldn't exist on a fresh install of the program (right side); so the "don't do anything if it's only on the left side" would make it not work too well for a lot of programs.
Not all the left side entries in my backup script would exist; it's not "perfect" because I like to have certain entries there incase I do install that program again; which is why I need the "don't do anything if it's only on the left side" to quickly "hack it" into a "restore" script. But like I said; certain things actually wouldn't be put in place then - but other times it is exactly what I need.
Of course I could go through it all manually; but that requires me to maintain yet another FFS script; and at that point; considering this is an only "run once" script to get me setup in Windows (after I've installed all programs); dragging and dropping manually on a fresh install would maybe just be better...
Hmmm.
Unless there's something I'm not seeing.
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FFS is not a good solution for a system backup/restore. It is best used for data/storage only.
Most programs can't just be backed up and restored as they also have lots of files in other directories and Registry entries. System backups are best handled with periodic system images.
Otherwise, I do see the issue. You almost need something that only detects if the folders exists, and if it does, mirror the contents inside even if they don't yet exist
Most programs can't just be backed up and restored as they also have lots of files in other directories and Registry entries. System backups are best handled with periodic system images.
Otherwise, I do see the issue. You almost need something that only detects if the folders exists, and if it does, mirror the contents inside even if they don't yet exist
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Oh I assure you they can lol. It's 90% of my use case for FreeFileSync.FFS is not a good solution for a system backup/restore. It is best used for data/storage only.
Most programs can't just be backed up and restored as they also have lots of files in other directories and Registry entries. System backups are best handled with periodic system images xCSxXenon, 28 Apr 2025, 21:09
My script is basically an extensive list of where a program/game's config files are; and backing them up. 😂
A system image wouldn't work as well as FFS (although I do do that also.) I may as well have my "list" of where all programs configs are be an active backup. FreeFileSync!
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This is one of my main uses for synchronization as well. I'm currently shifting away from has the ability to define behaviors for both folders and files. Additionally, when a pair is first run, it prompts whether you want create empty folders. I hadn't thought of leveraging that to sync app data across devices with different app sets.
I'm assuming you either have separate capture/restore jobs or just temporarily swap direction when you're build a new system. For one directional syncs, an option to skip job if 'destination' folder does not exist is all you would need.
I'm assuming you either have separate capture/restore jobs or just temporarily swap direction when you're build a new system. For one directional syncs, an option to skip job if 'destination' folder does not exist is all you would need.
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It doesn't ask you; it just straight up tells you "The folders are created automatically when needed". I think if I could press "No" to this then everything would be fine? Cause then I could use "Item exists on left side only" > "Copy to right" to restore everything without it creating folders for apps I don't have installed?This is one of my main uses for synchronization as well. I'm currently shifting away from has the ability to define behaviors for both folders and files. Additionally, when a pair is first run, it prompts whether you want create empty folders. I hadn't thought of leveraging that to sync app data across devices with different app sets.
I'm assuming you either have separate capture/restore jobs or just temporarily swap direction when you're build a new system. For one directional syncs, an option to skip job if 'destination' folder does not exist is all you would need. Polychronopolis, 28 Apr 2025, 22:38
Yes I was trying to swap direction to create a quick "restore" script from my backup script. I agree if you could skip by folder it would work but that's just a very messy unintuitive solution when you can include files and folders in the pairs.
