AlbumArt files restored by FFS after my deletion?

[Alitamunich]

Hi there!
I am using this software to back up my files, but I have a recurrent problem: when I synchronise music files for full albums, I get again all the AlbumArt*.jpg and Folder.jpg files that I want to delete, because I really don't need those when listening to music.
But when comparing these music folders with the backup drive I am copying them to, the *.jpg files are there again, they show on the left panel of FFS!
If I go to the folder in my Windows explorer, I can't see them there, not even as hidden files!
Why does FFS keep restoring these jpg files which I insist I want to delete?
I attach the corresponding screenshots.
Thanks.

[Plerry]

Simply add suitable definition(s) to your Exclude Filter, e.g.
*\AlbumArt*.jpg
*\Folder.jpg

[Alitamunich]

Thanks a lot, that did the trick, but I just wanted to know whether this is a known bug, or did I do anything wrong?

Thanks

[Plerry]

It is not a bug; it is simply how FFS works.
By running the sync, you simply tell FFS to make the right side in sync with the left side. And that is exactly what FFS intends to do, because the artwork files are "missing" at the right side.
By adding the files you do not want to be synced to the Exclude Filter, FFS will not consider/sync those files anymore.

[Alitamunich]

... But those album art files are not present in the source folder as seen in the Windows explorer screenshot... I had deleted them already. Why do they show in the left FFS panel?

Thanks.

[Plerry]

Your File Explorer screenshot does not show if it is a file listing of H: or G:, but based on the FFS screenshot it seems it must be of G:, not H:.

From your FFS screenshot, it seems you run a (left-to-right) Mirror sync variant.
And in the left side (the source-side) H:, clearly the several *.jpg files exist that do not (apparently no longer, as you state to have deleted them) exist on the corresponding right side G:.
So, as per its setting, FFS suggests to left-to-right sync the *.jpg files "missing" on the right side.
Similarly, as per its setting, FFS suggests to delete the right-side ...marzo2021.rar file, as that file does not (or no longer) exist on the left side.
When running a (left-to-right) Mirror sync variant, all changes made to the left (source) side will by synced to the right (destination) side; any changes made to the right side will not be synced right-to-left, and be overwritten or restored during the sync.
That is: unless you tell FFS to ignore certain files or folders per the Exclude Filter.

[Alitamunich]

Hi PIerry,

I am afraid it's H, that's why I posted this message, I can't understand why FFS has created those files again :(

[Plerry]

How do you arrive at the conclusion that it is FFS that is creating those files (again) in H: ?

The only thing the FFS screenshot shows is that those *.jpg files do exist in H: and that FFS (correctly) intends to copy those to G:. But FFS can not find files that do not exist and does not spontaneously create or download artwork files.
So, if it is FFS (and not some other tool ...) that created/restored those artwork files in H:, it must be the result of some other FFS sync you ran between another location (that does comprise those artwork files) and H:.

Obviously, another option is that you first ran the FFS Compare (shown in the FFS screenshot), then deleted the artwork files from H: (after which you made the File Explorer screenshot) and did not run a new FFS Compare. Then simply click Compare again.

[Alitamunich]

Thanks, I don't think any of those cases is happening here. I am not running any other app and I did not create the screenshot after deleting the files in H (that would be really silly of me...)
I have searched AlbumArt.jpg together with FreeFileSync in Google and it gives a lot of results with people asking for help in this forum with that kind of files. For example, this one:
viewtopic.php?t=361

I guess the only solution is to ignore the problem (i. e., apply a filter) and go on with my backup procedures.

Thanks for your help and nice day to you!

[therube]

I am not running any other app

You are. Your media player ;-).


Check the dates of the .jpg's.
It could be your media player is automatically going out & pulling down "AlbumArt".
(What media player are you using?)

Or...

Delete (or rename) the .jpg.
Play the particular (Depeche Mode) song.
See if a new "AlbumArt" .jpg doesn't populate your H: drive.


---


(I don't use WMP, so can't comment...)

"By default, Windows Media Player 12 will download the album art provided by the Music provider.

To remove the unneeded album art, please double check if the "Retrieve additional information from the Internet" is unchecked under Options -> Library. After that, please go to the music folder and then deleted the "AlbumArt####.jpg, AlbumArtSmall.jpg, Folder.jpg" files you mentioned. After that, restart Windows Media Player 12 and the album art shall be removed."
https://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/windows/en-US/3552ec2d-d510-49ec-985c-1fc04c3d6da6/disable-album-art-generation-in-wmp-and-music-libraries?forum=w7itprogeneral

[Alitamunich]

That's great, thank you!
I can not delete or rename the *.jpg files, as they are not showing in the real H folder. They only show in the FFS interface.
But I have disabled the option you mentioned, so I hope this problem will not repeat next time.

Thanks again!