DataSync is a simple Windows utility that compares the contents of one folder to another.
This is useful if you want to make regular simple backups of files to a network or removable storage device, or if you just want to compare the contents of one folder to another.
How to use DataSync
Choose the folders you want to compare using the upper and lower compare boxes. Click the browse button to choose a folder, or enter the path manually.
Select the direction of compare by clicking one of the ‘Direction of comparison’ arrows. Decide if you want to compare just the chosen folder, or include all the sub-folders as well.
Click the 'Scan' button to list the files that are missing or newer (the missing list will also show empty folders that are not found in the destination).
The list of items found is divided into two sections, newer and missing. Missing means the file or empty folder does not exist in the destination folder, newer means the file exists in the destination folder, but is older than the one found in the source folder.
If you are happy with the list of files found, just click the 'Update' button to copy all the newer and missing files to the destination folder (note: empty folders are not copied to the destination during an 'Update' unless the 'Copy Empty Folders' checkbox is ticked (however, these can be copied manually, just select them, right click and use the 'Copy Selected Empty Folders to Destination' option).
To make the Destination contain exactly the same as the Source, click the 'Synchronize' button. This will make DataSync do an 'Update', then a reverse scan and delete all items found. As a safety feature, this process will halt if any newer files are found after the reverse scan (a file has been found in the Destination that is newer than the same file in the Source). These newer files need to be investigated or removed manually (press CTRL+A to select all files in a list).
Other Features
Compare Boxes
The two compare boxes have drop down lists that contain the last 10 scans that you have done. Pressing the enter key while the cursor is in a compare box will open up Windows Explorer at that folder.
Deadband
This is in place to avoid files being repeatedly shown as newer when they are not. When copying to removable media like CDRW disks and sometimes to networks, the modified time of the copied file may be 1 or 2 seconds different from that of the original. The deadband is there so you can adjust the threshold at which a file is considered newer, up to a maximum of 5 seconds (default is 3 seconds).
DST Compensation
When a file is saved to a network, sometimes when DST becomes operative, or inoperative, the file's modified date and time appears to shift by the amount of DST. Checking this option makes DataSync ignore newer files found that are newer by exactly the Daylight Saving Time difference.
File Filter
This tells DataSync what files to scan for. When you open DataSync it defaults to 'all files' (*.*). To change this simply enter the filter you require, eg: *.doc *.ex* etc. Note: multiple filters will not work.
Newer and Missing Lists
After a scan, you can select a file or multiple files in the newer or missing file lists and right click for other operations. The newer file list displays some operations for the destination file as well as the source file. Some of these operations can be useful when DataSync shows unexpected results and further detailed analysis is required.
Open Source File - uses the associated Windows program to open the file.
Rename Source File – renames the source file (this leaves the original file in the destination folder, and copies the renamed file as well during an Update).
Copy Source File to Destination (Overwrite Destination File Now) - copies the selected file to the destination.
Skip Copying File to Destination (Skip Overwriting Destination File) – this removes the file from the list of files that will be copied or updated when the Update button is pressed.
Delete Source File - this deletes the source file (or if on a local drive removes it to the Recycle Bin)
Print Missing (or Newer) File List - this prints the list of files to your default Windows printer.
Save Missing (or Newer) File List to File - this saves the list of files to a text file.
In addition, when only one file is selected, another two options are available.
Explore Source File Folder – this opens Windows Explorer at the folder where the file resides.
Source File Properties – this opens the file properties dialog for the selected file (the same as if done from Windows Explorer).
These options also vary when empty folders are selected.
Other Information
Log Files
Command Line Parameters
DataSync Version History
Program Limitations and Known Issues
Other Options
Andrew Smith - June 2009
Command line parameters can be used to schedule a Synchronize operation. eg: using Windows Scheduled Tasks.
Command line parameters can also be placed on the target line of a shortcut as shown below. Use Windows Explorer to find or create shortcuts, or just right click over the Desktop and select the New option. To easily get to the 'properties' of a shortcut to add the parameters, just hold down the ALT key while double clicking it. Parameters can also be included when the Start Menu 'Run' command is used.
Note: If your path to DataSync.exe is in "quotes", the parameters must be placed outside the quotes as shown below. Please also note that the maximum number of characters that can be placed on the Windows command line is 255, this includes the path to DataSync.exe. No spaces are required between the parameters.
Auto Synchronize
This opens DataSync and starts a Synchronize operation with the 'Include Subfolders', 'Copy Empty Folders' and 'DST Compensation' options enabled. The last scanned source and destination folders are used if the -/S and -/D options are not specified. Once all operations have completed, DataSync closes. The compare direction is always with the Arrows down.
-/autosync
-/noerrsc - stops a shortcut being created on the desktop to the error log
if an error occurs when using the -/autosync command line option.
-/noDSTComp - turns off DST Compensation when -/autosync is used.
Source and Destination Paths
When the -/autosync parameter is used, the source and destination paths can also be set from the command line. The path is enclosed in <> brackets.
-/S
-/D
File Type Exclusion
Hidden and System files can be excluded from the scans.
-/xH exclude hidden files
-/xS exclude system files
Excluded Files and Folders
-/IF include all files and folders in scans, this overrides any preconfigured excluded files.
When DataSync performs an 'Update' or 'Synchronize' operation, the lists of files copied and deleted are saved to log files. These are kept in a folder called 'Log Files' which is created in the DataSync program folder. If at any time you want to look at, or delete all the log files, just right click anywhere over the main part of the program, and a menu pops up.
Limitations
Each file list can display a maximum of 32736 items. DataSync can scan to a maximum depth of 12 directory levels and 20000 maximum files or sub folders in any single folder (a message is displayed when these limits are reached).
DataSync may have an issue if filenames are found during a scan that have non English characters in them.
Known Issues
Synchronize sometimes fails on first attempt, especially when writing to CDRW disks.
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Right clicking anywhere over the main part of the program will pop up a menu. This gives options for log files and excluding files from scans. There is also an option to re-enable all warning messages, if any of these have been disabled.
