Redirect FreeFileSync from ssd to recycle bin on hard-disk?

Posts: 6 · Turmfalke 4 Sep 2023, 16:03

The ssd-drive on which I am using FreeFileSync does not have a recycle bin. When I instruct the program to move files to the recycle bin I (naturally) get an error message. Is there any way to instruct FFS to find the path of the recycle bin on the hard disk drive instead? I did not find such a possibility in the options/settings. Or does in this case only the opion remain to delete permanently ?

Posts: 1202 · therube 4 Sep 2023, 16:40

On the Sync tab, you can specify to use Recyle bin or Permanent (or Versioning).

Posts: 6 · Turmfalke 4 Sep 2023, 17:32

That is true, but how do i tell the program where exactly the recycle bin is located when it does not find it?

Posts: 6 · Turmfalke 4 Sep 2023, 18:46

Addition: After mirrowing the FFS warning is: "Recycle bin not available for "E:\user""
To be correct, E:\ is the USB-drive and the recycle bin is on the main partition of the ssd drive.

Posts: 2946 · Plerry 5 Sep 2023, 05:34

Instead of deleting to the RecycleBin, you can choose to use Versioning.
Versioning retains as many copies as you choose (of files deleted or overwritten by FFS) for as long as you choose in an arbitrary, user defined location.

Posts: 6 · Turmfalke 5 Sep 2023, 06:12

Thank you very much, Plerry. I have experienced that already. Versioning is great, but it piles up a lot of data by the time which gets a problem if you only have a very limited disk capacity. But your suggestion to limit the versioning to a certain number of days is a very good idea! I had not thought about that so far. I will go that way!

Posts: 4867 · xCSxXenon 5 Sep 2023, 22:20

You cannot change the location of a drive's Recycle Bin to another drive. Every drive gets it's own Bin and the files deleted to their Bin travels with them to any computer it is connected to. Even though clicking on your "computer's" Recycle Bin, that is simply showing you the combination of every Recycle Bin connected. You say SSD, which sounds like it is an external SSD? Usually those are formatted NTFS/exFAT and support Recycle Bin unless you are using a different filesystem.

Posts: 6 · Turmfalke 6 Sep 2023, 10:59

Thank you very much for your help, xCSxXenon.
Initially I was mistaken. The warning did not refer to the SSD-drive, but to the USB-drive to which I am mirroring. That one by nature does not have a recycle bin, as I understand. But FFS nevertheless does not use the one of the SSD from which I am mirroring instead.

Posts: 2946 · Plerry 6 Sep 2023, 12:32

> But FFS nevertheless does not use the one of the SSD from which I am mirroring instead.

Assuming you selected the RecycleBin Delete Files Method, FFS uses the RecycleBin (if available) of the drive from which files are deleted or on which files are overwritten.
So, if the FFS sync involves deleting or overwriting files on your computers built-in SSD, the affected files are moved to the SSD's RecycleBin.
If the FFS sync involves deleting or overwriting files on your USB-drive, the affected files are not moved to the USB-drive's RecycleBin, as none is available.

Posts: 6 · Turmfalke 6 Sep 2023, 12:58

So it is! Thank you very much for your clarification, Plerry.
I better stop looking for solutions where there are none and choose another method (versioning).