What does "local filter" mean?

[SyncUser]

I think I'm having a problem similar to the one in this topic
viewtopic.php?t=10977

I'm syncing my C:\Users folder to Z:\Backups

I have inclusion and exclusions filters.

The AppData directory (C:\Users\me\AppData) is using a ridiculous amount of space. I want to exclude most of it. I created inclusion rules like (this preserves the Firefox important settings for all users and all profiles)

\*\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\*\*.sqlite*
\*\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\*\*.db
\*\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\*\*.json
\*\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\*\*.js
\*\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\*\chrome\*


But when I add the exclusion rule

\*\AppData\


All of the included files also disappear from the list of files that will be synced.

I tried the + in the Overview, but adding an inclusion or exclusion rule there just added a line in the main filter list. Is there some other "local" filter list that I'm just not seeing??? I only know about the list that comes up when I press F7.

If I had enough space I could just test this by creating a new backup, but I don't have another external drive or enough space on the present one to make such a test without deleting my existing backup.

The backup runs as Local Machine Admin.

[xCSxXenon]

Exclusion rules "overrule" inclusion ones.
There does exist local filters if you have more than one folder pair present. That is how I would suggest doing this. Create a second pair that syncs 'C:\Users\xxxxxx\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\" to the corresponding destination folder. Create a local exclusion in the "main" pair that excludes AppData entirely.

This is one of many many many ways. You could also Sync the entire Appdata directly with a second folder pair, remove '*' from the include filter, and then explicitly define included items. No matter what you choose will likely require a lot of filters.

[SyncUser]

I've seen messages like "There does exist local filters if you have more than one folder pair present." before. But I don't know what it means.

What is a "folder pair"? I'm sort of assuming it means a source and destination folder - but there is no explicit declaration of a pair of folders. It's implicit in the sync process and then only after the filters are applied. Or am I missing a feature somewhere?

I think I had figured out that exclusion rules nuke inclusion rules. Drat.

Is there an exclusion rule that matches all but a certain regular expression?
Sort of a

\Users\*\*!AppData\


Which would block all folders and files EXCEPT AppData?



In https://freefilesync.org/manual.php?topic=exclude-files
"Example: Complex filter rules with exceptions"
Does "folder pair" mean sync definitions? Is my Sync Files.ffs_batch a "folder pair"?

[Plerry]

> I think I had figured out that exclusion rules nuke inclusion rules.
As per the FFS Manual page on the In- and Exclude Filter:

Files and folders are only considered for synchronization if they pass all filter rules: They have to match at least one entry in the include list and none of the entries in the exclude list as presented in the filter configuration dialog.

The Global Filter rules can be viewed and edited via the red funnel icon mid at the top of the FFS GUI (Main Dialog Overview item 3.

> What is a "folder pair"
A folder pair is the combination of the left-and right folder you specify in the FFS GUI, as in the manual page Basic Usage item 1.
As shown here, by using the green "+" icon in front of a left-right folder pair, you can add one or more extra left-right folder pairs.
If you have multiple left-right folder pairs, the Global Filter rules apply to all folder pairs.
But, via the red funnel icon mid between any of your left and right pairs, you can activate and define Local Filter rules, applicable only to that specific left-right folder pair (in addition to your Global Filter rules).

[xCSxXenon]

Is there an exclusion rule that matches all but a certain regular expression?
Sort of a

\Users\*\*!AppData\


Which would block all folders and files EXCEPT AppData?

Yeah, you would just set the base folders that are being compared to the AppData folder directly ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

I would read through the FAQs and documentation.

[SyncUser]

Yeah, you would just set the base folders that are being compared to the AppData folder directly ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Umm, nope.

A) That is then one sync per user, I want to sync all users in one step. Mostly because I share this config file with friends and family and I do not know the name of their users.
B) Then it would just include ALL those files and I don't want that I want very few of the files in that directory.
C) ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

I have read the docs, I'm still guessing what "folder pair" means.

I still don't know what "local filter" means - I have only found reference to the single global filter list of includes and excludes.

[Plerry]

I have read the docs, I'm still guessing what "folder pair" means.
I still don't know what "local filter" means - I have only found reference to the single global filter list of includes and excludes.

What was unclear in my above 01 Sep 2025, 13:02 reply?

[therube]

See if something along these lines does it with local includes/excludes for each folder pair.
(Now, I don't know if my particular paths/includes/excludes are correct necessarily, but the idea probably is).
.

FFS - multiple pairs with separate in-excludes for each.png (28.2 KiB) Viewed 368 times

[xCSxXenon]

A) That is then one sync per user, I want to sync all users in one step. Mostly because I share this config file with friends and family and I do not know the name of their users.

You can use the variable "%USERPROFILE%\AppData" so it is dynamic.

Other than that, goooood luck

[James301]

See if something along these lines does it with local includes/excludes for each folder pair.
(Now, I don't know if my particular paths/includes/excludes are correct necessarily, but the idea probably is).
.
FFS - multiple pairs with separate in-excludes for each.png

Thank you for the screen shot. I never realized that the funnel appeared between the folder pairs until I saw that. I was also lost on the Global/local settings. The sad thing about your screen shot is I cant make it larger to see your filters.

I have a quick question on this topic. Do the local settings override the Global settings if there is a conflict?

-Jaz

[Plerry]

Do the local settings override the Global settings if there is a conflict?

For the second time, an illustration that, even despite my reminder, James301 still did not bother to read my above 01 Sep 2025, 13:02 reply.
Given that, I will no longer waste my time and effort on replies to any of James301 future activity in this forum.

[James301]

> I think I had figured out that exclusion rules nuke inclusion rules.
As per the FFS Manual page on the In- and Exclude Filter:

Files and folders are only considered for synchronization if they pass all filter rules: They have to match at least one entry in the include list and none of the entries in the exclude list as presented in the filter configuration dialog.

The Global Filter rules can be viewed and edited via the red funnel icon mid at the top of the FFS GUI (Main Dialog Overview item 3.

> What is a "folder pair"
A folder pair is the combination of the left-and right folder you specify in the FFS GUI, as in the manual page Basic Usage item 1.
As shown here, by using the green "+" icon in front of a left-right folder pair, you can add one or more extra left-right folder pairs.
If you have multiple left-right folder pairs, the Global Filter rules apply to all folder pairs.
But, via the red funnel icon mid between any of your left and right pairs, you can activate and define Local Filter rules, applicable only to that specific left-right folder pair (in addition to your Global Filter rules).

I'm Sorry but I simply do not see anything that mentions conflicting filters between Global and Local policies, and which one over rules the other.

Example: Global exclusion: */*temp*
Local inclusion: */*temp*
I know that exclusions override inclusions, but does that work differently between Global and local? Does one override the other? I think what is messing with me is when you said "(in addition to your Global Filter rules)" that makes it into 1 AND 2, not 1 AND/OR 2, If you see what Im trying to say. This is also getting off topic from the original post. I'll play test it myself or ask some place else.

Ohh, and I wish you a very happy weekend.

-Jaz

[therube]

> I cant make it larger to see your filters

Open image in new tab (or whatever your browser may offer), should allow you to see it bigger, enlarge it...

[SyncUser]

I was away for a while.

I see that screenshot - now "folder pairs" is obvious. and I presume the funnel icon is the button to show a local" rule

I had missed the tiny little green plus sign on the left to add another set of files to sync.

The funnel icon for local does not appear until you add a second pair of folders.

That is the piece of information I needed!

Thanks all!


(I'm hoping that a local filter overrides a global filter)