Download the SYnc app for Windows or Mac. Access, share and upload files from your mobile device. 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. Click Selective Sync (Windows and Linux) or Choose folders to sync (Mac). Uncheck the boxes of any folders or Dropbox Spaces that you don't need on your computer's hard drive. They’ll still be available in your account on dropbox.com. Note: Any folders or Spaces with a check are currently downloaded on your computer 8.
The Sync desktop application is available for Windows and Mac operating systems. When you install Sync on your computer the app will create a special Sync folder. The Sync folder works just like any other folder, and provides the following features:
- Files in the Sync folder are backed up to the cloud automatically.
- Files in the Sync folder are protected with version history and deleted file recovery.
- You can share files and folders in the Sync folder.
- You can access files that other people have shared to you, from the Sync folder.
- You can access the Sync folder from your computer, phone, tablet and the web.
You can use the desktop app to quickly access the Sync folder on your computer, search for your files in Sync and the Vault, stay up-to-date with recent file activity, and change your password.
In this article:
How do I download and install the Sync desktop app?
The Sync 64 bit desktop app is available for Windows 7, 8 and 10, and macOS 10.9+. You’ll need admin privileges on your computer to install Sync. For Windows XP or older versions of macOS you’ll want to download the legacy installer.
To install the Sync desktop app:
If you don’t yet have a Sync account, create a free account from the Sync homepage before proceeding.
Show on Windows Show on Mac
- Download the desktop app installer to your computer.
- On Windows run the sync-installer.exe program.
On Mac open the Sync.dmg disk image and double click the Sync.app installer. - You will be prompted to allow Sync to install software on your computer. Click Yes, Open or Run to continue.
- After a few seconds you will be greeted with the Sync installer welcome screen. If you’ve already created a Sync account, or you’re installing Sync on multiple computers, select the Use an existing account option and click Next.
- Enter your email address (Sync username) and password and click Next.
- Select where you want the Sync folder to be created on your computer. If you’re not sure don’t worry, as you can change the location later if needed.
- Enter a Device name that allows you to easily identify your computer, for example “Office Computer” or “Lisa’s Laptop”. This is helpful if you plan on using Sync with multiple computers.
- Click Next.
- Click Finish to exit the installer. Congratulations, you now have Sync installed!
Once Sync is installed on your computer, you can access the Sync app from the Windows system tray or Mac menu bar.
Installing Sync on multiple computers:
You can install Sync on up to five of your own computers or devices and the contents of the Sync folder will automatically synchronize to each computer. Simply follow the same steps outlined above to install on additional computers.
If you’re installing Sync on computers used by other people (for example team members, employees or family members), you should create a separate Sync account for each person. This will ensure you have control over which folders remain private in your account, and which folders are shared.
Accessing the Sync app and Sync folder on your computer
Once Sync is installed on your computer, you can access the Sync app by clicking the Sync icon on Windows system tray or Mac menu bar.
Windows system tray:
The Windows system tray is located at the bottom right corner of your screen. If you don’t see the Sync icon in the system tray after installation you may need to click the white up arrow in the system tray first.
Mac menu bar:
The Mac menu bar is located at the top right corner of your screen.
Finding the Sync folder on your computer:
- Click the Sync icon on the Windows system tray or the Mac menu bar.
- Click the Sync folder icon.
This opens the Sync folder in a new window on your computer. The Sync folder works just like any other folder on your computer.
Adding files and folders to Sync, from your computer
Once you have installed the Sync desktop app you can drag and drop files or folders directly into the Sync folder on your computer. Additionally, you can use the Save As… file menu option in most applications, to save files to your Sync folder.
Files in your Sync folder are automatically backed up to the cloud.
Adding files and folders to Sync, from your computer:
Show on Windows Show on Mac
- Click the Sync icon on the Windows system tray or the Mac menu bar.
- Click the Sync folder icon, to open the Sync folder.
- Now move, drag or copy files and folders from other locations on your computer, into the Sync folder.
- Files in the Sync folder are backed up to the cloud automatically.
Working directly out of the Sync folder ensures that you are always backed up.
Adding files to Sync, using the Save As… file menu option from any application:
Because the Sync folder works just like any other folder on your computer, you can save your files directly to Sync from virtually any desktop application you use. For example, to save to Sync from Microsoft Word you would:
- Open your document in Microsoft Word.
- From the File Menu in Word select Save As…
- Browse to the Sync folder on your computer and click Save.
Adding files and folders to Sync, using the Sync.com web panel:
You can also use your web browser to upload files and folders from your computer to Sync. See the Uploading files and folders to Sync, using the web panel article for instructions.
Search for files and view recent files from the Sync desktop app
You can use the Sync desktop app or mobile app to search for any file located in your Sync folder or Vault, and to quickly access recently added or changed files.
Desktop app steps:
- Click the Sync icon on the Windows system tray or the Mac menu bar.
- By default recently added or edited files will be listed.
- To search: Type in a search term in the search box, and press Enter or Return.
- Click the folder icon beside the search result to view the file or folder on your computer. Click the cloud icon beside the search result to view the file or folder on the Sync web panel (the cloud).
Note: you can also search using the mobile apps.
Desktop overlay icons
The Sync desktop application automatically keeps your files and folder synchronized. The app will display overlay icons on your files and folders, to let you see the status of syncing.
- Overlay icons on an individual file or folder show the status of just that file or folder.
- The status icon in the Windows system tray or Mac menu bar shows overall status.
Overlay icons:
Overlay icons are displayed on all file and folders in your Sync folder.
Show on Windows Show on Mac
In sync – a green circle with a check mark means the file or folder has finished syncing (backed up to the cloud) and is up-to-date.
Shared – a green circle with a share icon means the file or folder has been shared as a team shared folder or a link, and is up-to-date.
Sync in progress – a blue circle with rotating arrows means the file or folder is in the process of syncing.
A file or folder isn’t syncing – a grey circle with a minus sign means the file or folder is not syncing. This can can occur if you have configured selective sync, or if the file name contains invalid characters. The Progress tab may provide more detail.
Error – a red circle with an x means that Sync is unable to sync the file or folder. This can occur when your storage quota is full (can’t upload), or your hard drive is full (can’t download), or there is a technical issue preventing syncing. Contact support if you see this.
Syncing status
The app will display a status icon in the Windows system tray or Mac menu bar that shows overall syncing status.
Status icons:
The Sync status icon is located in the Windows system tray or the Mac menu bar.
In sync – a check mark means all files in your Sync folder have finished syncing (backed up to the cloud) and are up-to-date.
Indexing – a syncing icon means that the Sync app is indexing or transferring your files. Indexing means that the app is verifying that your files are in sync. When files are transferring you can view transfer status and speeds by clicking the status icon.
Paused – a circle with minus sign means that the Sync app is paused (not running). Click the icon and select Resume. If the Sync app keeps pausing contact support.
Error – an alert symbol means that Sync is unable to synchronize your files and folders. This can occur if you temporarily lose your network connection, or if you go over quota. If the Sync app is stuck in this state contact support.
Desktop app preferences and settings
Desktop app settings are specific to the computer you have installed Sync on. Account-wide settings are managed exclusively from the Sync.com web panel. Once Sync is installed on your computer, you can access the Sync desktop app preferences as follows:
- Click the Sync icon on the Windows system tray or the Mac menu bar.
- Click the Settings icon ().
- Select Preferences from the menu.
Options tab:
Run When Computer is Started – Sync automatically starts when you sign into your computer. With this option disabled you would have to manually start Sync. Enabled by default.
Show Desktop Notifications – When multiple people are collaborating, the Sync app will display pop-up notifications, letting you know if the file has changed. Desktop notifications may also include important account, file and system notifications. Enabled by default.
Show Icon Overlays – The Sync app displays status icons over every file and folder in the Sync folder when enabled. Enabled by default.
Report Errors to Server – When the Sync app encounters an error, a notification is sent to our QA team for further review. This helps our team identify and solve issues.
Account tab:
Change password – Change a forgotten password directly from the desktop app. This feature can be disabled.
Export a listing of all files – Click Generate to download a .CSV document listing all files in your Sync folder and Vault. This is useful for auditing everything you have in Sync.
Uninstall – See the how to uninstall Sync articles for more details.
Network tab:
Bandwidth settings – You can limit app transfer speed, which is useful if you have limited bandwidth available. Automatic is the fastest setting.
Disk Cache – To improve performance, the Sync app temporarily stores file data in a hidden cache folder, located inside the Sync folder. The temporary cache takes up additional space on your computer and is automatically cleared from time to time. You can manually clear the cache or adjust the automatic cleanup schedule.
Configure a Network Proxy – This is an advanced network configuration that can enable Sync to work behind a SOCKS5 VPN service. The default proxy type is Automatic (no proxy).
SSL Certificates – Allow Sync to be used behind corporate firewalls that utilize trusted third-party SSL certificates. Disabled by default.
Progress tab:
The progress tab provides file transfer details, and lists any files or folders that are not syncing. If your files are not syncing, this is a good place to start troubleshooting.
Advanced tab:
The Advanced tab allows you to control which folders get synced to each computer, a feature called selective sync. Selective sync is typically used if Sync is installed on multiple computers, and you want to control which folders (in your Sync folder) get synchronized to each computer.
Pause and resume the desktop app
The Sync desktop app runs automatically whenever you are signed into your computer. You can manually pause or resume Sync as follows:
- Click the Sync icon on the Windows system tray or the Mac menu bar.
- Click the Settings icon ().
- Select Pause Sync or Resume Sync from the menu.
Updating the Sync desktop app to the latest version
You can manually update Sync as follows:
- Download the latest desktop app installer to your computer. The installer will upgrade an existing installation automatically.
- On Windows run the sync-installer.exe program.
On Mac open the Sync.dmg and run the Sync.app installer. - You will be prompted to allow Sync to install software on your computer. Click Yes, Open or Run to continue.
- Sync will detect an existing installation and uninstall it first. Click Yes. Don’t worry, your existing Sync folder, files and account setting will not change.
- It will take a few seconds for the installer to configure itself, at which point you will be greeted with the Sync installer setup screen.
- The installer will detect your existing account. Ensure Reuse existing account is checked, and click Next.
- Click Finish to exit the installer.
Sync is now upgraded to the latest version.
What version of Sync am I currently running?
- Click the Sync icon on the Windows system tray or the Mac menu bar.
- Click the Settings icon (cog).
- Select Preferences.
- Click the Account tab.
- The version is displayed at the bottom of the Account tab.
Selective sync
If you have the Sync desktop app installed on multiple computers, you can control which
folders within your Sync folder get synced to each computer. This is accomplished via selective sync as follows:
folders within your Sync folder get synced to each computer. This is accomplished via selective sync as follows:
Show on Windows Show on Mac
- Click the Sync icon on the Windows system tray or the Mac menu bar.
- Click the Settings icon (cog).
- Select Preferences.
- Click the Advanced tab.
- By default all folders are checked, which means that all folders will sync to the computer you are configuring selective sync on. Uncheck folders you do not want synced.
- Click Apply.
Note: the Sync app does not automatically delete unchecked folders.
When a folder is deselected via selective sync it will show a grey circle with a minus sign overlay icon, signifying that it is no longer syncing and safe to delete from your computer (to free up space). If you re-check a folder in the future, Sync will re-download it from the cloud.
Controlling folder access with team shared folders:
If you are trying to use selective sync to control which folders other people can access, we recommend you setup team shared folders instead. Team shared folders give you granular control over folder access. See the how to use team shared folders article for more details.
Freeing up space with Vault:
If you are trying to use selective sync to store files or folders in the cloud only, we recommend you use Vault instead. See the what is Vault article for more details.
How do I confirm that the files in my Sync folder are in the cloud?
Syncbird pro 2 9 1. Sync provides a number of ways to audit and confirm that the files in your Sync folder have been successfully uploaded to the cloud.
This article covers files in your Sync folder only – see here to verify files uploaded to Vault.
The desktop app status icon and progress tab:
The Sync desktop app automatically verifies all files and folders in your Sync folder for consistency, and the status icon in the Windows system tray or Mac menu bar will display as in sync when verification is confirmed.
Important note:
To prevent syncing problems across different operating systems and platforms, a subset of incompatible characters are not supported by Sync. Files named with these characters may be skipped (not uploaded), and will be listed under the desktop app progress tab (regardless of syncing status).
You can access the Sync desktop app progress tab as follows:
- Click the Sync icon on the Windows system tray or the Mac menu bar.
- Click the Settings icon ().
- Select Preferences from the menu.
- Click the Progress tab.
If you see a file listed under the progress tab as skipped, the easiest solution would be to rename the file without these characters. View the full list of incompatible characters.
Export full file listing:
With the Sync desktop app installed, you can export a full listing of all files stored in your Sync folder and Vault, which makes auditing easier. Here’s how:
- Click the Sync icon on the Windows system tray or the Mac menu bar.
- Click the Settings icon ().
- Select Preferences from the menu.
- Select the Account tab.
- Click Generate beside export, to get a listing of all files.
A .CSV file will download to your computer, which you can open, to search for specific files and verify your files stored in the cloud.
Sync 3 Version 3.4 Download
Uninstall the Sync desktop app
A standard uninstall will remove Sync, but retain system configuration information allowing you to easily restore your Sync account on the computer at a later date, if needed.
Follow these instructions:
- Click the Sync icon on the Windows system tray or the Mac menu bar.
- Click the Settings icon ().
- Select Preferences from the menu.
- Select the Account tab.
- Click the Uninstall button and follow the prompts.
You can also use the full uninstaller, to remove all traces of Sync from your computer.
Get the full uninstaller for Windows here, run the uninstaller and follow the prompts:
https://sync.com/download/new-sync-uninstaller.exe
https://sync.com/download/new-sync-uninstaller.exe
Get the full uninstaller for Mac here, open the disk image and and follow the prompts:
https://www.sync.com/download/sync-uninstaller.dmg
https://www.sync.com/download/sync-uninstaller.dmg
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. And 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. But 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.
File Sync Pro
Then, it's turn to the best free one-way file sync software. AOMEI Backupper Standard is strongly recommended. Here 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.
- Have aclean interface and user-friendly design, and suitable for all users.
- 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.
Notes:
• The offline files must be always available offline. If not, you cannot sync it.
• If you prefer to use command prompt, you can sync changes only with robocopy.
• The offline files must be always available offline. If not, you cannot sync it.
• If you prefer to use command prompt, you can sync changes only with robocopy.
Now, your offline files may have already been synced. But this is not over yet, you need to check if the offline files are synced intact. Please navigate to Sync Center and click View your offline files as shown in Step 2, or access your offline files via offline files folder.
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.
Download Freeware
Win 10/8.1/8/7/XP
Secure Download
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. Diskkeeper pro 1 4 10.
Step 3. Select settings and start the first file sync. Click Schedule and select daily/weekly/monthly. Then, click Start Sync.
Note: beside the basic schedule settings, you can still enjouy advanced feature in its professional version.
• If you need to change files very frequently, it's suggestted to use 'Real-Time Sync' feature under Sync tab to monitor changes in real-time and sync files immediately when detected.
• If your target disk is USB, you could consider using 'USB plug in', which will sync files to USB flash drive when it's plugged in.
• If you set the schedule backup to off-peak hours, please tick 'Wake up the computer to run scheduled tasks'.
• If you need to change files very frequently, it's suggestted to use 'Real-Time Sync' feature under Sync tab to monitor changes in real-time and sync files immediately when detected.
• If your target disk is USB, you could consider using 'USB plug in', which will sync files to USB flash drive when it's plugged in.
• If you set the schedule backup to off-peak hours, please tick 'Wake up the computer to run scheduled tasks'.
Ford Sync 3.3 Update
Wrapping things up
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, you can use Sync Center. But If you want to sync files between various storage device or enjoy more advanced features or, you can choose the best free file sync software AOMEI Backupper.
It's suggested to install AOMEI Backupper on your computer after synchronization. Its schedule file sync can provide you with up-to-date files. In addition, it still a free backup software with various backup types, such as, System Backup, Disk Backup, File Backup, etc, which can help you protect data continuously.