Toucan, SyncToy, and File Syncing Freeware in Windows

Surprisingly, it's difficult to find a simple and stable utility to sync files across folders in Windows. My personal choice for file syncing, Linux's Grsync, was ported to Windows but didn't work out as well as the original.  It's no secret that syncing files between external storage and networks is quickly being supplanted by cloud storage/services (e.g. Dropbox.com and Live Mesh) and cheap NAS hardware (e.g. Synology and Western Digital NAS). 3rd-party software like those included with Seagate, Buffalo, and Imation drives also pretty much solve backup and syncing processes with consumer storage (if you're willing to use proprietary software). Still, there are still users like me who like to backup files manually without the aid of any of the above.

Having "retired" somewhat from Windows to migrate to Linux, I was surprised how the freeware landscape has changed in Windows. Software sources I used a decade ago such as Downloads.com and PCMag are no longer as dependable (or as popular) as before. It had been years since I had used Microsoft SyncToy, an exceptionally well-designed utility originally released for Windows XP. Thankfully, it's still around and works as well as before. Microsoft even improved the interface somewhat since its original incarnation so many years ago.

 

Still, I needed an alternative after trying out GoodSync, a well-received application that crashed when I attempted to sync a huge bundle of files. I visited dependable PortableApps for options. PortableApps listed Dsynchronize, Synkron, and Toucan. Dsynchronize Portable also crashed on its second run - a disappointment considering that other portable apps such as Lightscreen had never failed me. The website redeemed itself with Toucan, a simple but powerful file sync utility.



Quick Toukan Review:

1. Toucan has a pretty good help file - a lost art in today's generation of iOS and Android apps.
2. It's a PortableApp - which means I can keep it in my Flash drive and run it without installing it.
3. Toukan can back up to 7-Zip and GZip - Although I urge Microsoft users to try Windows 7 (and Windows 8)'s backup features, it's nice to see an application that makes use of 7-Zip (which I've preferred over Zip for years) and the Linux compression format GZip.
4. Advanced features - Toukan has several tabs including Variables, Script, Secure, and Rules which are generally for the enterprising user who loves to customize. The Sync and Backup tabs, however, was all I really needed.

Although Toucan's Sync tab is straightforward, users should fully understand the five Sync functions listed on the Sync tab before using the utility on their precious files. Copy, Mirror, Equalise, Move, and Clean are all very different - other file sync applications either use a different term or has a totally different meaning. The Help provided in the Settings tab explains these options clearly. In my case, I just used Copy, preferring to delete files in my Source and Destination paths manually.


SyncToy uses the terms Synchronize, Echo, and Contribute

Tip: If you're archiving files using Toucan, always check the Retain Timestamps option if you don't want to lose track of file chronology. Also, tick Use Recycle Bin to ensure that none of your files get deleted if you make a mistake syncing folders.