What is one-way file sync?

File synchronization, also known as file sync, is to create an exact copy of files in different locations, such as, external hard drive, cloud storage, NAS, etc. Also, the newly added, changed or deleted files will be reflected to another location. Moreover, file sync can be one-way or two-way. Then, let’s see them specifically.

One-way file sync means that you can only sync changes from source to destination. That’s to say, if you manually edit files in the destionation, it will not be transferred back to source.

Two-way data synchronization refers to changes made in both source and target will be reflected. For example, if you add, edit, or delete a file from the source, the file will change accordingly in the target, and vice versa.

Why do you use one-way file sync?

Both file sync can supply users up-to-date files. But why we choose one-way file sync instead of two-way file sync? The following ideas are only for reference.

  • Provide the latest files for users need to work at home. Sometimes, user need to take their work home and complete the rest at home so as not to delay the use of documents.
  • Avoid conflict and improve the work efficiency. If you work in a team, you and other members may want to access the accurate version. Therefore, the best way is to keep files in sync with source directory instead of both. Two-way file sync may result in conflicts or unupdated files, which may have a bad effect on work efficiency.

What is the best FREE one-way file sync software?

In the first place, let’s talk about built-in tool Sync Center. It may be a potential option for many users, especially for novice who don’t want to spend a cent on a software only using once. It’s widely used in Windows 7/8/8.1/10 to enable offline files and sync files between computer and network server. Meanwhile, the process can be manual and automatic.

However, some users report that Sync Center is not always working. For example, when you right-click the files or folders on network drive, always available offline is not showing up in the context menu.

Then, it’s turn to the best free one-way file sync software. AOMEI Backupper Standard is strongly recommended. Thanks to its clean interface and user-friendly design, all users even novice can understand easily and quickly and use it like a professional. Here are some advantages of it.

  • Sync files with multiple storages, such as, hard drive, external disk, USB flash, network drive, cloud drive etc.
  • Support various operating system, including Windows 7/8/10/XP/Vista. Also, its server edition can synchronize files between Windows Servers 2012/2012 R2/2016/2019 and previous version.
  • Set and forget schedule settings. To automatic sync files, you can set a proper backup interval, such as, daily, weekly and monthly. Also, you can set it to off-peak hours, midnight, for instance.
  • Get final result without waitting. Its email notication feature will inform you the result if you leave early.

How to set up one-way file sync in Windows?

In this part, we will continue to talk about how to transfer files unidirectionally in windows 7/8/10. The first one is to use built-in tool Sync Center, then best free file sync software AOMEI Backupper. Now, let’s have a close look at these methods.

Method 1: One-way file sync with Sync Center

Step 1. Go to Start Menu > Control panel > Sync Center, and click it to open new window.

Step 2. Click Manage offline files and Enable offline files, then restart your computer to activate offline files. If you do not restart your computer, you cannot active offline files and use this feature.

Step 3. Make your drive, files or folders available offline, and sync them. Find the mapped network drive, directly right-click the drive (R: drive) or select the files and folders inside and tap on Always available offline, then select files or folders again and click Sync selected offline files.

Step 4. Check if the offline files are synced intact. Navigate to Sync Center and click View your offline files as shown in Step 2, or access your offline files via offline files folder.

That’s the entire process to sync offline files, but there are some users who may need to sync files with another file sync software like AOMEI Backupper Standard. For example, you just want to make copies of local files on the computer and take them everywhere. Also, you probably need more sync ways, such as, USB drive, external hard drive, cloud storage like OneDrive, NAS etc. Please continue to see below and learn the detailed steps to sync files.

Method 2: Schedule one-way file sync with AOMEI Backupper

Step 1. Download AOMEI Backupper, install and launch it. Then, click Sync and Basic Sync.

Step 2. Select files or folders you want to sync and destination path. Click + Add Folder to select data on your computer, then select a destination path.

>> To share it to your team member, you can sync files to network location. Click the inverted triangle and Select a network location, then select the shared folder as destination. If you have not previously added any network drive, you need to click Add Network Location and type IP address, username and password to access.

>> To take it home, you can sync files to external disk, USB flash drive or cloud storage. Click the folder shapped button to find the device on your computer.

Step 3. Select settings and start the first file sync. Click Schedule and select daily/weekly/monthly. Then, click Start Sync.

Both Sync Center and AOMEI Backupper can sync files, but they are different. If you want to sync offline files between network and your computer, Sync Center is a great choice. But If you just want to sync local files for backup or need more sync solutions, the best free file sync software AOMEI Backupper will be better. More so, its schedule file sync provides you with up-to-date files.