Multiple folder pair sync ...

[davechap]

Hi folks,
I'm getting this weird message when backup up to a certain folder. It says:

8:36:12 PM Warning Some files will be synchronised as part of multiple folder pairs.
To avoid conflicts, set up exclude filters so that each updated file is included by only one folder pair.
E:\Maz\Media 👓 Art & YouTube vids
E:\Maz 💾 Media\Art & YouTube vids
E:\Maz\Media 👓 Art & YouTube vids\2024 Videos
E:\Maz 💾 Media\Art & YouTube vids\2024 Videos

I don't know what that actually means or if the little read and write icons in there mean anything, so I tried just 'ignore' (duh) and the backup seemed to run fine but once finished, the destination E:\Maz\Media folder is no longer there. I'm copying manually in the meantime but if someone can decipher this cryptic message for me, I'd very much appreciate it!

Salient detail:

- Running the latest freefilesync donate edition on Win11
- Source is a folder on a networked drive (another computer, not a NAS etc)
- Destination E drive is a 4Tb SSD plugged into a USB SATA dock
- Sync is set to mirror left to right

Thanks for any help!
Cheers, Dave

[xCSxXenon]

This warning means you have multiple folder pairs reading and writing from/to the same location(s). If one pair performs an action, the other might perform the opposite, causing the issues you are actively happening. You need to change your folder pairs or, as suggested, create filter rules so each directory/subdirectory is only handled once.
The second pair of folders don't need to be included in the sync because they are included by the first pair.

[davechap]

Ahh. Thanks so much. A later sync in the same backup was writing to the parent and overwriting (ie, deleting) the previous subfolder. Obvious now I understand it - thanks again! Cheers, Dave