FreeFileSync: Compare and synchronize files in Ubuntu

FreeFileSync: Compare and synchronize files in Ubuntu#

FreeFileSync is a free, open source and cross-platform folder comparison and synchronization software, which can help you synchronize files and folders in Linux, Windows and Mac OS.

It is portable and can also be installed in the local system. It is rich in features, designed to save time for setting up and performing backup operations, and has an attractive graphical interface.

FreeFileSync function####

The following are its main functions:

1. It can synchronize network shares and local disks.
2. It can synchronize MTP devices (Android, iPhone, tablet, digital camera).
3. It can also be synchronized via [SFTP (SSH File Transfer Protocol)] (http://www.tecmint.com/sftp-command-examples/).
4. It can identify files and folders that are moved and renamed.
5. Use the directory tree to display disk space usage.
6. Support for copying locked files (Volume Shadow Copy Service).
7. Identify conflicts and delete them synchronously (propagate deletions).
8. Support comparing files by content.
9. It can be configured to handle symbolic links.
10. Support batch automatic synchronization.
11. Support multiple folder comparison.
12. Supports in-depth and detailed error reports.
13. Supports replication of NTFS extended attributes, such as (compression, encryption, sparse).
14. It also supports replication of NTFS security permissions and NTFS alternate data streams.
15. Supports long file paths exceeding 260 characters.
16. Support trouble-free file copy to prevent data corruption.
17. Allows expansion of environment variables, such as %UserProfile%.
18. Support access to variable drive letter (U disk) by volume name.
19. Supports management of deleted/updated file versions.
20. Prevent disc space problems with optimal synchronization sequence.
21. Unicode is fully supported.
22. Provide highly optimized runtime performance.
23. Support filters include and exclude files, etc.

How to install FreeFileSync in Ubuntu

We will add the official FreeFileSync PPA, which is only available on Ubuntu 14.04 and Ubuntu 15.10, then update the system repository list and install it like this:

1. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - On Ubuntu 14.04 and 15.10 --------------
2. $ sudo apt-add-repository ppa:freefilesync/ffs
3. $ sudoapt-get update
4. $ sudoapt-get install freefilesync

For Ubuntu 16.04 or newer, go to FreeFileSync download page to obtain the appropriate packages for your Ubuntu and Debian.

Next, enter the download folder and unzip FreeFileSync_*.tar.gz to the /opt directory as follows:

1. $ cdDownloads/
2. $ sudotar xvf FreeFileSync_*.tar.gz -C /opt/
3. $ cd/opt/
4. $ ls
5. $ sudo unzip FreeFileSync/Resources.zip -d /opt/FreeFileSync/Resources/

To download we will create a program launcher (.desktop file) using the Gnome panel. To browse examples of .desktop files in the system, list the contents of the /usr/share/applications directory:

1. $ ls/usr/share/applications

In case you have not installed the Gnome panel, enter the following command to install it:

1. $ sudoapt-get install --no-install-recommends gnome-panel

Next, run the following command to create the program launcher:

1. $ sudo gnome-desktop-item-edit /usr/share/applications/--create-new

And define the following values:

1. Type:Application
2. Name:FreeFileSync
3. Command:/opt/FreeFileSync/FreeFileSync
4. Comment:FolderComparisonandSynchronization

To add an icon to the launcher, just click on the icon selection: /opt/FreeFileSync/Resources/FreeFileSync.png.

When you have finished setting, click OK to create.

• Create a desktop launcher*

If you don't want to create a desktop launcher, you can start FreeFileSync from the directory.

1. $ ./FreeFileSync

How to use FreeFileSync in Ubuntu

In Ubuntu, search for FreeFileSync in Unity Dash, but in Linux Mint, search in System Menu and click the FreeFileSync icon to open it.

• FreeFileSync*

Use FreeFileSync to compare two folders

In the following example, we use:

1. SourceFolder:/home/aaronkilik/bin
2. DestinationFolder:/media/aaronkilik/J_CPRA_X86F/scripts

To compare the file time and the size of the two folders (default setting), just click the compare button.

• Compare two folders in Linux*

Through the following interface, you can press F6 in two folders to change the content to be compared: file time and size, content or file size. Please note that the meaning of each option you choose is also included.

• File comparison settings*

Use FreeFileSync to synchronize two folders

You can start to compare the two folders, and then click the Synchronize button to start the synchronization process. Click Start in the dialog box that appears afterwards:

1. SourceFolder:/home/aaronkilik/Desktop/tecmint-files
2. DestinationFolder:/media/aaronkilik/Data/Tecmint

• Compare and synchronize two folders*

• Start file synchronization*

• File synchronization completed*

Press F8 in the interface below to set the default synchronization options: two way, mirror, update or custom. The meaning of each option is self-explanatory.

• File synchronization settings*

To learn more, visit the FreeFileSync homepage: http://www.freefilesync.org/

That's it! In this article, we showed you how to install FreeFileSync in Ubuntu and its derivatives Linux Mint, Kubuntu, etc. Share your thoughts in the comments section below.

About the Author:

Ravi Saive, the original author of TecMint. A computer geek and Linux veteran who loves sharing tips and tips on the Internet. Most of my services run on the Linux open source platform. Please follow me on Twitter, Facebook, Google+.

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