Initial situation:
Two computers in my LAN (laptop and desktop).
FreeFileSync (FFS) is installed on both computers.
I want to use FFS to synchronize a specific folder on the laptop with a specific folder on the desktop.
What preliminary work do I need to do on both computers so that a connection can be established between them and I can work with FFS?
Thanks, Hilmar
Synchronization between two computers in the same LAN
- Posts: 2
- Joined: 27 Jan 2026
- Posts: 170
- Joined: 5 Jan 2024
Hi,
Not knowing what operating system or your skill level I will give you a general reply and you can follow up with a question.
Windows/Linux both support MS SMB so in Windows the file sharing feature is disabled by default with a few enable it you can share a folder on each of your two computers and then connect to it
For Windows you can Start with Windows file sharing to share the folder on each computer that you want the other to be able to synchronize.
Each computer maps to drive to the others folder.
Use FFS to sync those shared folders.
If you need help you can ask Chat GPT or perhaps Copilot to help you learn how to map a drive from one computer to the other in Windows.
Personally I prefer using SFTP to transfer files but it is easier to set up Microsoft networking for a beginner. SFTP is available by installing an optional Windows component called open SSH server. It can be done in the settings program. I can post instructions if you would prefer this route.
Not knowing what operating system or your skill level I will give you a general reply and you can follow up with a question.
Windows/Linux both support MS SMB so in Windows the file sharing feature is disabled by default with a few enable it you can share a folder on each of your two computers and then connect to it
For Windows you can Start with Windows file sharing to share the folder on each computer that you want the other to be able to synchronize.
Each computer maps to drive to the others folder.
Use FFS to sync those shared folders.
If you need help you can ask Chat GPT or perhaps Copilot to help you learn how to map a drive from one computer to the other in Windows.
Personally I prefer using SFTP to transfer files but it is easier to set up Microsoft networking for a beginner. SFTP is available by installing an optional Windows component called open SSH server. It can be done in the settings program. I can post instructions if you would prefer this route.
- Posts: 2
- Joined: 27 Jan 2026
Hello,
In my frustration at not being able to connect the two computers with FFS, I completely forgot to mention which operating system the two computers are running. I apologize profusely. Both are running Windows 11.
Unfortunately, I have zero experience with LANs. Naively, I imagined that FFS would have a description specifically for cases where synchronization between folders on two different computers is required.
I suspect that I need to change something in the Windows settings and that I don't need any other additional programs/software. I would be very grateful if you could point me in the right direction.
In the meantime, I will try to find out more with the help of Chat GPT and Copilot.
Thank you for your willingness to help me with this.
Hilmar
In my frustration at not being able to connect the two computers with FFS, I completely forgot to mention which operating system the two computers are running. I apologize profusely. Both are running Windows 11.
Unfortunately, I have zero experience with LANs. Naively, I imagined that FFS would have a description specifically for cases where synchronization between folders on two different computers is required.
I suspect that I need to change something in the Windows settings and that I don't need any other additional programs/software. I would be very grateful if you could point me in the right direction.
In the meantime, I will try to find out more with the help of Chat GPT and Copilot.
Thank you for your willingness to help me with this.
Hilmar
- Posts: 170
- Joined: 5 Jan 2024
Hi,
If those computers are running Windows 11 what you can use is Windows 11 file sharing you need to look in chat for how to set up Windows file sharing and share on the network the folder that you would like to synchronize to the other computer
If those computers are running Windows 11 what you can use is Windows 11 file sharing you need to look in chat for how to set up Windows file sharing and share on the network the folder that you would like to synchronize to the other computer
- Posts: 12
- Joined: 7 Aug 2023
Hi,
I have used Core mini-sftp-server a lot to connect and sync network PCs in my LAN from within FFS.
In just a few clicks the mini sftp server is up and running on one of your network PCs. Then you can easily connect and sync from every other network PC by referring to the ip adress of the PC that runs the sftp server (cloud button in main screen of FFS).
I have used Core mini-sftp-server a lot to connect and sync network PCs in my LAN from within FFS.
In just a few clicks the mini sftp server is up and running on one of your network PCs. Then you can easily connect and sync from every other network PC by referring to the ip adress of the PC that runs the sftp server (cloud button in main screen of FFS).
- Posts: 170
- Joined: 5 Jan 2024
Thanks for the tip regarding this software I will check it out.
Microsoft includes open SSH server with Windows so there's no need to set up any third-party software on any machine at all.
Simply going to settings and optional software and enable SSH server and windows will automatically load SSH server by default on Port 22 and to use your Windows login credentials as password protection.
Microsoft includes open SSH server with Windows so there's no need to set up any third-party software on any machine at all.
Simply going to settings and optional software and enable SSH server and windows will automatically load SSH server by default on Port 22 and to use your Windows login credentials as password protection.
