'/.?*:' filter also includes files of dot-starting subfolders

[toph]

Hi,

Just want to report an issue.

Using the following inclusion filter:

/.?*:


I expect to sync only root files starting by a dot (because of ':').

But it also syncs files like this :

/.anySubfolderStartingByADot/anyFileInside


I use the : Version 14.4 - 64 Bit - 26/07/2025 - Edition Donation.
On : Windows 11 Pro 24H2 (all updates ok)


Thanks ;)
Do not hesitate if I can help.

PS : Your app is still amazing ... I used it for years !

[xCSxXenon]

This makes sense, the '*' matches the slash. You might fix this by adding "/*/*" to the exclude filter to exclude any files in any subfolder

[toph]

Hi,

That is what I thought first...

But the filter

/fo*ar:


does not match

/foo/bar


I tried it. ;)


In my case, I also want to add the /.ssh/ folder content to my sync, so I cannot use the filter you suggest as an exclusion, but thx anyway.

[Plerry]

But the filter

/fo*ar:


does not match

/foo/bar


If bar in /foo/bar is an empty folder, /fo*ar: does correctly not match /foo/bar, due to the colon (:) you added at the end of your include filter.
If bar in /foo/bar is a file or a non-empty folder, /fo*ar: should and does match /foo/bar .
Both tried and confirmed (under Windows).
.

In my case, I also want to add the /.ssh/ folder content to my sync, so I cannot use the filter you suggest as an exclusion

You can use the filter as suggested, but need to add a second left-right pair for your /.ssh folder, in line with the description of Example: Complex filter rules with exceptions.

[toph]

Hi
Thank you for the answer.
I tried again and you are right about the * wildcard.

I guess it would be cool to have an alternative wildcard to match any character except the path separator.

I remember a langage (I don't remember which one) where :
* match any character except path separator
** match any character including path separator

Very intuitive and useful.

++

[sumitk84]

Hi,

I am facing issue with exclude filter.
Using below filter to exclude specific subfolders from sync -

\20241231\
\20250331\
\20250630\

But this is not working.

[toph]

Hi.
Your issue seems very different from mine (your folders have no starting dot)
You should rather open a new topic.