FreeFileSync Open Source File Synchronization

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FreeFileSync User Manual:
#Quick Start Command Line Comparison Settings Daylight Saving Time Exclude Items Expert Settings External Applications Macros Performance RealTimeSync RTS: Run as Service Schedule Batch Jobs Synchronization Settings (S)FTP Setup Tips and Tricks Variable Drive Letters Versioning Volume Shadow Copy

Variable Drive Letters

USB memory sticks or external hard disks often get different drive letters assigned when plugged into distinct computers. FreeFileSync offers two solutions to handle this problem:

Option 1: Specify a folder path by using a unique volume name:
Enter the path as [volume name]\folder instead of using a specific drive letter.
 
For example, if the name of the USB stick in drive E:\ is "Backup-Disk", you can replace a path like E:\Documents with [Backup-Disk]\Documents.
 
Note
Drive letter by volume name It is not required to look up and enter the volume name manually. Just select the corresponding entry in the drop down menu.

Option 2: Use a relative directory name:

  • Use \Documents instead of E:\Documents
  • Save and copy synchronization settings to the USB stick: E:\Backup.ffs_gui
  • Start FreeFileSync by double-clicking on E:\Backup.ffs_gui
 
The working directory is then automatically set to E:\ by the operating system so that the relative path \Documents will be resolved as E:\Documents during synchronization.