4 Easy Ways to Sync Files Between Two Computers

It's quite common to have two or more computers these days. If you want the same files and folders on both, doing it manually can be very time-consuming. But with synchronization, or sync, we can have the latest version of the same files in multiple locations. Let's look at how to sync files between two computers, in four ways, with step-by-step guides.

Do I need to connect the two computers before syncing?

Yes, in order to sync two computers, you will need to establish some form of connection between them. Whether or not you need to "link" the two computers before you start syncing them depends on how you plan on syncing them and what kind of data you want to sync. Here are some standard methods of syncing computers, followed by instructions for syncing files between two PCs.

Sync files between two computers with free file-sync tools

The best way to simplify syncing between two computers is by using a professional tool like Todo Backup. With its File Sync feature, you can instantly connect two computers and easily synchronize files. Todo Backup allows you to automate the entire process with its scheduled sync feature. Once set up, it will automatically sync whenever changes are made to your data. You can set the sync schedule to daily, weekly, monthly, and so on.

Furthermore, it offers both one-to-one and two-way sync options, depending on your needs. Its incremental sync feature only synchronizes files changed since the last task, significantly saving storage space. With a simple click, you can also use it to sync files between desktop and laptop.

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Now download Todo Backup from any computer and start syncing your files according to the instructions.

Step 1: Launch Todo Backup and then click the “New Sync” button at the bottom left.

Click the Synchronize button

Step 2: Click on Select sync folder from the left-hand side.

Step 3. Select the folder you want to synchronize, then click OK. The source folder can be Desktop, My Documents, Favorites, Computer, Network, or NAS.

Step 4. Choose the destination location for your synced files. You can opt for either a "Two-Way Sync" or a "One-Way Sync" method, as needed.

Select the sync location

TIP: Click the Options button to select a Synchronization Schedule so that you can synchronize your tasks daily, weekly, on event, or in real time.

Step 5: Click Sync Now to start the sync.

Step 6: Wait for the sync to complete. You can see the file syncing progress in the top-left corner.

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Syncing files between two computers over the internet

By connecting two computers to a network, you can sync files directly between them. This is a Windows feature that also lets you set custom permissions. It's great for syncing small files, but it takes a long time to sync large ones. Let's take a look at how it's done.

Step one: Right-click the file or folder you want to share, and select “Properties.” Go to the “Sharing” tab, then click “Advanced Sharing.”

2. Check the box for Share this folder, then click Permissions at the bottom to set who can access it.

From the "Permissions" tab, you can specify the desired permissions. You will have three options to choose from: "Full Control," "Change," and "Read."

You might also be interested in: How to Sync Files Between Computer and USB Flash Drive on Windows 11/10

If you want to access your synced folders from another computer, you must open the Run dialog (by pressing Windows + R), and type \\computer name or \\IP address.

Note: If your computer shows an error message in the Network section that reads Network discovery is turned off..., click the banner, and then choose Turn on network discovery and file sharing.

Step 2: Choose which files or folders to synchronize, and copy them to the second computer.

Sync files between two computers using a cloud service

Another simple option is to use a cloud storage service to sync files between the two computers. You can log in to a OneDrive, Google Drive, or Dropbox account from both machines to exchange files and folders. For Windows users, OneDrive is the easiest way to connect one computer to another without any additional apps.

Sign into your Microsoft account on two computers at the same time. Now, if one computer is set to sync locally, you can upload and download files to it from the other computer simultaneously. When using cloud syncing, make sure you have enough space in both your cloud and local systems to store your files.

The only downside to syncing with OneDrive is that it will only handle files and folders. There's no way to sync settings or apps.

?Read next: How to sync files between computers without the cloud

4. Synchronize Files Between Two Computers with SyncToy

You may have never heard of SyncToy, a Windows program supported by Microsoft that helps you sync files and folders between two devices. When it works, SyncToy does a great job of syncing the contents of folders. You can choose any folder on either device – internal hard drive, USB drive, or network folder – as the source or target for syncing. Here's how to use SyncToy to sync two computers.

Step one: Go to the Microsoft Download Center and download and install the Synctoy utility. Launch Synctoy, and then click the "Create New Folder Pair" button to synchronize a folder to another computer.

Step 2. Next, you need to select the two folders you want to synchronize. Click on the Left Folder and press Browse to choose the folder path, then repeat this for the Right Folder. Here, the left folder is the source, and the right folder is the destination.

Select the folders you want to backup, then click "Next".

Step 3: Choose the Synchronization method: Synchronize, Writeback, and Contribute. Select Synchronize to ensure that both folders always have the same files.

Select the sync folder

Step 4: Name your sync pair, and click “Finish.” You can preview the sync state. If everything looks good, click “Run” to proceed.

When the sync is complete, you'll see a message that says it was successful. From this point on, whenever you make changes to the contents of the left folder, SyncToy will update the contents of the right folder.

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Ultimately

Here are four simple ways to synchronize files between two computers. Though they all have drawbacks, they work well enough. SyncToy can fail; network syncing doesn't handle big files; and cloud storage doesn't sync all your settings and applications.

You can overcome all these disadvantages with the Todo Backup Sync tool. With just one click, it can sync large files, Windows settings, apps, and everything in between. Download the Todo Backup tool now and sync your computer.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Here are some common questions about synchronizing files between two computers that might be helpful for you to review.

How can I make two computers exactly the same?

To keep two computers in exact sync, you can use disk imaging or cloning software to make an identical copy of one computer to another. Then you would use file syncing to ensure they stay that way.

Does Windows 11 have synchronization software? Yes, Windows 11 does offer synchronization software and features. For instance, through a Microsoft account or OneDrive, you can synchronize settings, files, and applications across devices. Additionally, certain apps like Outlook and Teams support syncing your data and preferences across devices. Windows 11 is also integrated with Azure Active Directory, which enables enterprise users to synchronize their settings and applications between different work devices.

Yes, Windows 1a has a built-in synchronization software called "Sync Center." It allows users to keep information synchronized between two computers. To use it, both computers need to be connected to a network server. As it operates over a network, you can synchronize locally between the computers, but an internet connection might be required for some functions.

3. What is the fastest way to share a file between two computers sitting next to each other?

Undoubtedly, use cloud syncing. Log in to your cloud apps, like Google Drive, OneDrive, or Dropbox. Once you upload a file on one, you can download it from the others via cloud storage.