FAQ

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GeneralInstallationTroubleshooting

1. • Choose left and right folders.
   
   
2. • Compare them.
   
   
3. • Select synchronization settings.
   
   
4. • Press Synchronize to begin synchronization.
   
   

Note
For more detailed explanations on how to set up the most common synchronization scenarios, have a look at the **FreeFileSync video tutorials** .

1. • Change comparison settings
2. • Start comparison
3. • Include/exclude specific files
4. • Change synchronization settings
5. • Start synchronization
6. • Add folder pairs
7. • Select left and right folders
8. • Save/load configuration
9. • Tree overview panel
10. • Synchronization preview
11. • Select categories to show on grid
12. • Synchronization statistics

* [Is FreeFileSync still showing an advertisement in its installer?](#advertisement)
* [Do I need to uninstall FreeFileSync before installing a newer version?](#uninstall)
* [How can I install FreeFileSync silently via command line?](#silent-installation)
* [How does the portable installation work?](#portable)
* [My virus scanner/firewall shows a scary warning.](#virus)

1. • Choose left and right directories.
   
   
2. • Compare them.
   
   
3. • Select synchronization settings.
   
   
4. • Press Synchronize to begin synchronization.
   
   

For the most up to date description of FreeFileSync, visit the **Online Manual** . Press F1 while running FreeFileSync.If internet access is not available, an offline version of the manual can be found in the FreeFileSync installation folder.

• • Download and use for free ... (but you may [ donate ] to support)
• • [ No ads ] in the installer or application
• • Synchronize folders on network shares and local drives
• • Synchronize mobile devices via MTP (Android, iPhone, tablet, digital camera)
• • Synchronize with Google Drive cloud storage
• • Free FTP client: synchronize via [ FTP ] (File Transfer Protocol) and FTPS (SSL/TLS)
• • Access files online using SFTP (SSH File Transfer Protocol)
• • [ No artificial limits ] on the number of files to sync
• • Detect [ moved and renamed] files and folders
• • [ Multi - File-Rename] tool included
• • Get sync results as an
  
  email notification
• • Manage [ versions ]and keep a history of deleted/updated files
• • Compare and synchronize [ multiple files in parallel ]
• • Show drive space usage as a directory tree
• • Copy **locked files**
• • Detect conflicts and propagate deletions
• • Compare files [ by content ]
• • Configure handling of Symbolic Links , NTFS Junctions and WSL Symlinks
• • Automate sync as a [ batch job ]
• • Process multiple folder pairs
• • Comprehensive and detailed error reporting
• • Copy NTFS extended attributes (compressed, encrypted, sparse)
• • Copy NTFS security permissions
• • Copy NTFS Alternate Data Streams
• • Copy HFS+ extended attributes and ACLs
• • Support long file paths with more than 260 characters
• • Fail-safe file copy prevents data corruption
• • [ Cross-platform :] Runs on Windows, Linux, macOS
• • Use [ macros ] %time%, %date%, et al. for recurring backups
• • Expand environment variables like %UserProfile%
• • Access [ variable-drive-letters ] by volume name (USB sticks)
• • Native 64-bit support
• • Prevent disc space bottlenecks via optimal sync sequence
• • Full Unicode support
• • Highly optimized run time performance
• • Include and exclude files via [ filter ]
• • FreeFileSync [ portable ] and local installation available
• • Handle [ daylight saving time ] changes on FAT/FAT32
• • Case-sensitive synchronization
• • Serialize multiple users accessing the same (network) folder via folder locking
• • Fully localized user interface available in 30+ languages :
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

[Which operating systems does FreeFileSync support?] FreeFileSync runs natively on all 32 and 64-bit Windows versions, all recent editions of macOS, and is supported on all major Linux distributions.( * ) Supported until FreeFileSync 10.11FreeFileSync imposes no artificial limitations on how many files you can sync. Practically speaking, the only limiting factor for extremely large sync jobs is the amount of free memory available: For each 1 GB of RAM, FreeFileSync can synchronize roughly 1 million file pairs at a time.You are permitted to distribute the software subject to the following conditions:

• • The software must be distributed free of charge and
• • without modification to the contents of the installer package. Redistributing the installer package with any files added, removed, or modified is prohibited.
• • The inclusion of the installer package or any of the included files in a different archive, or in a different installer is forbidden. For example, the integration into a third-party automated installation mechanism is forbidden .
• • The FreeFileSync [Donation Edition] and [Business Edition] may not be distributed in any way!

No, the standard version of FreeFileSync and the [Donation Edition] are allowed for private use only .
Businesses and government organizations are required to buy the FreeFileSync [Business Edition].Everyone who donates may download a version of FreeFileSync including a few bonus features () as a thank-you for supporting the project! This version is called the FreeFileSync Donation Edition.auto - updaterparallel file copyemail notificationsportable zipAfter donating, you are immediately redirected to a page with the download link. But a [confirmation email] is sent, too, just in case you missed this.The FreeFileSync Donation Edition is expected to be used by you and your friends . So please don't upload it to the internet or do something else not in this spirit. For commercial or governmental use, please see the FreeFileSync [Business Edition].That's it. Nice and simple. It has not always been this way, but now it is. Thanks!In order to allow FreeFileSync in a commercial or government setting, it is required to license a number of devices for installation by using the form below.and an invoice is sent via email at the same time.auto - updaterparallel file copyemail notifications**Silent** installationTax invoiceA license costs € 20 per device and allows for unlimited use of the FreeFileSync Business Edition. This includes future software updates for one year . Email notifications (which create ongoing costs for the FreeFileSync project) are guaranteed only for the duration of the update period, although there are currently no plans to end service after that.Thank you for supporting the project!FreeFileSync editions feature comparison