OS Zorin 18 (Based on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS)
I have installed and configured Free File Sync and Real Time Sync. I am looking for this to automatically sync upon user login in the background. However there is no clear detail on how to get this to auto start other then to open up the application and click start manually.
Autostart RealTimeSync
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Configure RTS settings, save it, set RTS to autostart with that saved config on login using whatever method works for your OS
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- Site Admin
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cron + @reboot should work: https://freefilesync.org/manual.php?topic=schedule-batch-jobs#linux
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@Zenju
The Schedule Batch Jobs manual page illustrates how to automatically start FFS syncs.
Although obvious to most users, apparently it is difficult for digitally less proficient users to understand that • they can use the same approach to automatically start RTS,
• need to use a different command,
• and/or what that different command should look like.
Perhaps a small addition to said manual page could help.
Something like:
For starting a FreeFileSync synchronization task use the command XXXX,
for starting a RealTimeSync monitoring task use the command YYYY.
The Schedule Batch Jobs manual page illustrates how to automatically start FFS syncs.
Although obvious to most users, apparently it is difficult for digitally less proficient users to understand that • they can use the same approach to automatically start RTS,
• need to use a different command,
• and/or what that different command should look like.
Perhaps a small addition to said manual page could help.
Something like:
For starting a FreeFileSync synchronization task use the command XXXX,
for starting a RealTimeSync monitoring task use the command YYYY.
- Posts: 1
- Joined: 9 Feb 2026
I wanted to share what I found worked to have RTS start monitoring file(s) on startup in Linux (specifically Mint). This is a very GUI method. I hope it help someone else:
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1. Create a `*.ffs_batch` file with FreeFileSync for the files you want RTS to monitor
2. Open Startup Applications > select "+" > Custom Command >
- Name = (name the program/action)
3. Build a custom Command in Startup Applications:
1. Find the `RealTimeSync` launcher in the application menu > right-click the application name > select Properties > copy the launcher command text and paste it into the box next to Command in the Edit Startup Program window
2. Find the `*.ffs_real` file in the file browser, copy the filename, and paste it into the box after the launcher command (make sure there is a single space between the end of the application command and the path to the file)
***IMPORTANT*** FreeFileSync and RealTimeSync cannot execute files until they are executable.
Set the `*.ffs_batch` and `*.ffs_real` file permissions to Executable in the file manager by right-clicking on the `*.ffs_batch` or `*.ffs_real` file > Properties > Permissions > Check "Allow executing file as program" > Close
You should end with a line in the format: "/path/to/RealTimeSync" %F /path/to/*.ffs_real , for example:
"/opt/FreeFileSync/RealTimeSync" %F /home/user/BatchSync.ffs_real
3. Startup delay = 15 (or however long you want)
4. Select Add
4. Log out, then log back in. You can check the System Monitor to see of RTS is running when you log back in.
Good luck!
---
1. Create a `*.ffs_batch` file with FreeFileSync for the files you want RTS to monitor
2. Open Startup Applications > select "+" > Custom Command >
- Name = (name the program/action)
3. Build a custom Command in Startup Applications:
1. Find the `RealTimeSync` launcher in the application menu > right-click the application name > select Properties > copy the launcher command text and paste it into the box next to Command in the Edit Startup Program window
2. Find the `*.ffs_real` file in the file browser, copy the filename, and paste it into the box after the launcher command (make sure there is a single space between the end of the application command and the path to the file)
***IMPORTANT*** FreeFileSync and RealTimeSync cannot execute files until they are executable.
Set the `*.ffs_batch` and `*.ffs_real` file permissions to Executable in the file manager by right-clicking on the `*.ffs_batch` or `*.ffs_real` file > Properties > Permissions > Check "Allow executing file as program" > Close
You should end with a line in the format: "/path/to/RealTimeSync" %F /path/to/*.ffs_real , for example:
"/opt/FreeFileSync/RealTimeSync" %F /home/user/BatchSync.ffs_real
3. Startup delay = 15 (or however long you want)
4. Select Add
4. Log out, then log back in. You can check the System Monitor to see of RTS is running when you log back in.
Good luck!
