Bug: can't use quoted versioning folder path

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Posts: 2
Joined: 1 Aug 2025

NightDuck

I am unable to use a quoted versioning folder path and therefore unable to use a versioning folder with spaces in it's path. Here is the error I get for the folder "K:\ffs\Old Versions":

Error Cannot create directory "D:\Desk\"K:".
ERROR_INVALID_NAME: The filename, directory name, or volume label syntax is incorrect. [CreateDirectory] Unsupported character '"'

FreeFileSync seems to be trying to concatenate the quoted versioning folder ("K:\ffs\Old Versions") onto the folder from which I run the program ("D:\Desk\").
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Posts: 2947
Joined: 22 Aug 2012

Plerry

I don't know how/where you specify the versioning folder K:\ffs\Old Versions.

If you specify the versioning folder in the FFS GUI Synchronization Settings (F8), after selecting Versioning as your Delete and Overwrite method, you can simply drag&drop your preferred versioning folder into the field for the user-defined versioning folder or browse to and select such folder.
If the dragged&dropped or selected folder (or the path to that folder) comprises a (white)space, that name appears in said field without quotes. And works perfectly as the versioning location during a sync.
So no need to enter "K:\ffs\Old Versions", just enter K:\ffs\Old Versions.
If you store such sync configuration as a *.ffs_gui or *.ffs_batch file, and inspect the contents of that *.ffs_gui or *.ffs_batch file, you will also notice that <Synchronize>...</Synchronize> section comprises the tag <VersioningFolder Style="...">K:\ffs\Old Versions</VersioningFolder> without quotes around your versioning location.
(The Style="..." refers to whichever Naming Convention you selected for your versioning)
Posts: 2
Joined: 1 Aug 2025

NightDuck

You are right. I never even tried it without quotes because quotes are so frequently required when paths contain spaces. I didn't try drag/dropping either so I'm glad to know I can do that too. Thank you for your response. It is very much appreciated.