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Backup with FreeFileSync

Using FreeFileSync for making external backups.

For basic usage, see the FreeFileSync QuickStart.

Short video tutorials are also available, covering the majority of common use cases.


  1. Plug in external hard drive
  2. Open FreeFileSync
  3. Click on first config in left panel: Docs & Email
  4. Click Compare
  5. Review Sync selections (“10” in the image below)
    Pay special attention to:
    1. Blue arrows, indicating items to be restored
    2. Trashcans, indicating items to be deleted
    3. Yellow arrows showing items that have changed on both sides since last sync
    4. If there are unexpected deletes or restores, hover over the center column and select an appropriate action: ignore, copy left, copy right, or delete.
    5. If you click Compare again, the changes you have made will be reset
  6. Click Synchronize
  7. Click on next config: Pictures & Videos
  8. Click Compare
  9. Review Sync as above
  10. Click Synchronize
  11. Close FreeFileSync
  12. Eject the External Hard Drive
  13. Put hard drive back in fire safe

user/alan-shea/ffs_backup.1644875068.txt.gz · Last modified: 2022/02/14 21:44 by Alan Shea

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