Two-way Mirror doesn't sync deleted files.

[Mobius]

Hi. I have three desktops, and each has the same two-way sync job, to sync a same folder on each machine, to a same folder on a NAS, so all three desktop folders and the NAS folder should stay in sync when changes are made to that folder on any of the desktops. The FFS sync job is configured to compare on file time and size, to sync using two-way, and to use database to detect changes. Windows Task Scheduler runs this job periodically on each of the machines.

Usually, only the NAS and the main desktop are running, and the other desktops are powered down. Even with this configuration, if a file is deleted from that folder on that desktop, the next time the FFS sync job runs, it should delete that file on the NAS, but instead it copies that file from the NAS back to the desktop. Why does this happen, and what needs to be changed to have it properly delete the file?

[Mobius]

So anytime I delete a file or directory in this folder on any of the desktops or the NAS, that delete does not get propagated by FreeFileSync.

Its like the Two-Way sync just doesn't propagate deletes. It's like it doesn't update the database file or something. This is a major shortcoming. Has no one else experienced this? Does anyone else use Two-Way sync?

[Plerry]

After running all first syncs (and thus all databases are created) FFS should behave in line with with your expectations, as can also be seen in the bottom line of pictograms in the Synchronization Settings (F8).

Does your NAS comprise a "sync.ffs_db" in the sync's base-location with the timestamp that your last sync ended, irrespective of which machine ran the sync?

[Mobius]

Good question. I have two such Two-Way sync jobs. Yesterday, because of a bit of frustration with this problem, which was causing repeated issues, I changed one of those jobs on the main desktop to Mirror instead. However, on that location on the NAS, the sync.ff_db file does show a timestamp of yesterday afternoon, likely corresponding to the last time that job was run before the change was made.

For the other Two-Way job, the sync.ff_db file on both the desktop and the NAS have the same timestamp. However, this job doesn't see many deletions, and I'm not sure whether I've witnessed the issue with this job.

[Mobius]

Does anyone else use two-way sync? Can anyone confirm this issue, or can anyone affirm that deletions do in fact get propagated?

[haneek]

FWIW I have had no problems with deletions propagating on my two way syncs. Been fine for years. Maybe try creating a new FFS job that is a duplicate of the problem job(s)?

[Mobius]

@haneek, thanks for the pointer, encouraging me to do a bit of experimentation.

Rather than recreating the job, what I did was to delete the sync.ffs_db file on both sides (on a single desktop, and on the NAS), and then run the job (with no changes) in order to recreate those two ffs files.

After this, I chose two directories, and in the first I deleted a couple files on the left, then ran the job again, and the files were successfully deleted on the right. Then, in the other directory, I deleted a couple files on the right, ran the job again, and the files were successfully deleted on the left.

So this shows success so far with a single desktop syncing to the NAS. When I next go to the other desktops, I will need to remember to delete the sync.ffs_db file on them, and then follow up with more tests to ensure that deletes are propagating from desktop to NAS to other desktops. With success there, it will be time to mark this issue as solved.

[Timesink]

I am a noob who just installed FreeFileSync v14.4 today. I have only one problem, and when I sought help on the forum, right on the top of the pile was Mobius, with what appears to be the exact same problem.

I am attempting a simple two-way sync between my desktop and laptop
Five standard Windows 11 folder pairs
Batch job saved to run all five pairs
Identical folder architecture on both machines

Synchronization settings as follows:
Two way
Use database file to detect changes
Detect moved files
Delete and overwrite>Permanent (complete with flames)

Files I delete from the left are displayed in the RELATIVE PATH pane on the right. I also see them displayed in the recycle bin at the very bottom of app. If I click on that icon, and re-run the sync, the files that I deleted from the left are finally deleted from the right

I would prefer to have files deleted from one side deleted from the other side (without review or recourse) during the first run of the sync.

Likewise new files created on the left are not automatically created on the right. They are recognized, and at the bottom I see, “Show files that will be created on the right side.” Again, a second run gets the job done, but I’d prefer to have it done in a single pass.

[xCSxXenon]

I am a noob who just installed FreeFileSync v14.4 today. I have only one problem, and when I sought help on the forum, right on the top of the pile was Mobius, with what appears to be the exact same problem.

I am attempting a simple two-way sync between my desktop and laptop
Five standard Windows 11 folder pairs
Batch job saved to run all five pairs
Identical folder architecture on both machines

Synchronization settings as follows:
Two way
Use database file to detect changes
Detect moved files
Delete and overwrite>Permanent (complete with flames)

Files I delete from the left are displayed in the RELATIVE PATH pane on the right. I also see them displayed in the recycle bin at the very bottom of app. If I click on that icon, and re-run the sync, the files that I deleted from the left are finally deleted from the right

I would prefer to have files deleted from one side deleted from the other side (without review or recourse) during the first run of the sync.

Likewise new files created on the left are not automatically created on the right. They are recognized, and at the bottom I see, “Show files that will be created on the right side.” Again, a second run gets the job done, but I’d prefer to have it done in a single pass.

Are you sure you aren't running a comparison only in the "first run"?

[Timesink]

I am not sure of this.
How can I tell?
I have run the two-way sync several times.

[Timesink]

Nevvver mind.
I'm not sure what I did, but FreeFileSync is now performing as expected.
My best guess is that I was clicking the wrong icons, or possibly the right ones in the wrong order.
I now know the proper path. Case closed.