How to Sync Two External Hard Drives in Windows 10 [2 Good Tips]

If you're having trouble syncing two external hard drives in Windows 10, don't go away. This article will introduce you to two essential tools that come in handy no matter whether you need to back up an external hard drive or sync it for other storage purposes. The first tool allows for one-way operations, while the latter excels at providing multiple sync settings.

How to Sync Two External Hard Drives on Windows 11/10

As mentioned earlier, we have two tools to sync two external hard drives. They include a command-line utility and a free software.

• 1. XCOPY
• 2. FreeFileSync

Let's see how to use these tools to sync two external hard drives in Windows 10.

1. Synchronize two external hard drives with the XCOPY command line.

XCOPY is an in-built command-line utility in Windows 10 designed for efficiently synchronizing data from one external hard drive to another. However, it only supports one-way synchronization. Additionally, it can copy individual files or folders from one location to another. It offers more flexibility and options compared to standard copying commands.

To execute, you need to open a Command Prompt window and run the command with the necessary parameters to synchronize two hard drives. Here's an introduction and detailed information about these parameters: 1. `robocopy`: This is an inbuilt command in the Windows operating system used for file copying and synchronization. Its full name is "Robust File Copy." 2. `/MIR`: This parameter stands for "Mirror," which makes the target directory identical to the source directory. If a file is deleted in the source directory, using the `/MIR` parameter will also delete the corresponding file in the target directory. 3. `/E`: This parameter indicates that empty subdirectories should be included. By default, robocopy does not copy empty subdirectories, but using the `/E` parameter includes them. 4. `/XD`: With this parameter, you can exclude specific directories. For instance, if you don't want to synchronize a particular subdirectory, you can use this parameter. 5. `/Z`: This parameter is for restartable mode copying, ensuring that the copying process can resume from where it left off after being interrupted due to network issues or power failures. 6. `/LOG+:`: This parameter writes robocopy's output to a specified log file and appends to the existing log file instead of overwriting it. 7. `` and ``: These two parameters represent the path of the source directory to be copied and the destination directory, respectively. A sample command might look like this: ```cmd robocopy C:\SourceDirectory E:\DestinationDirectory /MIR /E /XD C:\SourceDirectory\ExcludedFolder /Z /LOG+:C:\log.txt ``` In this example, `C:\SourceDirectory` is the source directory, `E:\DestinationDirectory` is the target directory, `C:\SourceDirectory\ExcludedFolder` is the excluded subdirectory, and `C:\log.txt` is the path to the log file. Replace these paths with your actual requirements.

• Source: This specifies the files and data you want to copy. It consists of a drive or path.
• Destination: This indicates where you want to copy the source information. The destination name can include a colon, drive letter, filename, or any combination of these options.
• /e: This parameter authorizes the copying of directories and subdirectories from the source hard disk to the target hard disk. It also copies empty directories.
• /d: This parameter only copies data files that have been changed or newly added on the source to the target hard disk. This means that copied data is unique. These files are not present in the target files before sharing.
• /c: This parameter ensures that the copying process proceeds smoothly. It continues the transfer even if errors occur. This makes the copying process faster and more efficient. For instance, the copying process won't stop even if errors occur due to read-only files or protected files.
• /y: If a prompt appears asking whether to overwrite files that already exist on the target hard disk, this parameter takes effect. It eliminates this prompt so the copying process proceeds uninterrupted.

It has its list of required parameters. Let's get right to it.

Assuming you have an external hard drive named H that you want to synchronize with the destination drive, the respective command would look like this:

This will take some time, in proportion to the amount of information on your source disk. It is important not to interrupt this process. Let it run to completion, and, after a while, your entire system will be cloned from the source to the target disk.

This will allow you to avoid having to start the copying process over to transfer all of your data to the new drive. The next time you sync the two drives, only new or modified files will be transferred from one drive to the other.

This would eliminate the need for multiple folders containing the same information and speed up data transfer.

2. Synchronize two external hard drives with FreeFileSync

FileSync is one of the most acclaimed file and folder synchronization software out there. It's an open-source tool, meaning that it's free, and you don't need any premium subscriptions or paid accounts to use it.

The software provides flexible syncing options. It can be used for the standard syncing of data between two external hard drives. However, with this software, you can perform bi-directional syncs, generate an image backup of the source to the target, or copy only newly added or updated files.

To use this software, you first need to download and install it on your computer. Follow these steps:

1. Launch the tool's interface. 2. In the upper center of the interface, select the "Browse" option. A "Select Folder" dialog box will appear. 3. In this dialog, choose your "Source external hard drive," without selecting any specific folder. 4. Next, click the "Browse" button in the upper center of the interface again. Another "Select Folder" dialog box will appear. 5. In this new dialog, select the "External hard drive." 6. Click the green "Sync Settings" button located at the top of the interface. 7. In the Sync Settings window, navigate to the "Sync" tab. 8. Choose the desired sync type. Standard options include Two-Way Sync, Update, and Mirror. However, for advanced usage, you can create custom options to perform specific actions. 9. After selecting the appropriate option, click the "OK" button in the Sync Settings window. This will return you to the main interface. 10. Now, click the "Sync" option at the top of the interface. The tool will begin comparing file data. 11. Upon completion, a "Start Sync" dialog box will appear on the screen. 12. In this dialog, click the "Start" button to initiate the synchronization process.

This will begin the synchronization process, which will take some time depending on your version. When it's done, both hard drives will be in sync.

Conclusions

This blog post will introduce you to the two simplest methods to sync two external drives. Both methods are quick and efficient. We have explained the entire process and steps required to use these tools in detail.

You can trust them to protect your personal and professional information, serving as gatekeepers for data security and privacy.

1. What is synchronization? Synchronization refers to the process of keeping data and files consistent across two external hard drives, ensuring that information is identical on both. This is commonly used for backup, resource sharing, or preventing data loss. 2. Why synchronize two external hard drives? Synchronization provides a dual backup, increasing data security. If you store important files on one drive and they're synced on another, you'll have a backup in case one drive fails. 3. How do you synchronize two external hard drives? - Use synchronization software: Tools like Microsoft's SyncToy, Apple's Time Machine, or third-party alternatives can help set up and manage the sync process. - Manual copying: You can periodically copy files from one drive to the other manually, but this method may be less automated and prone to errors. 4. Is synchronization real-time? It depends on the synchronization software. Some tools support real-time syncing, updating the target drive immediately when a file changes on the source drive. Others may require manual initiation. 5. Will synchronization delete extra files on either drive? This depends on the sync mode. Bidirectional sync might overwrite files on both drives, deleting extras. Incremental or mirror sync only adds or updates files from the source to the target drive without removing extra files. 6. Is data safe during synchronization? Data might be at risk if there's a power outage or hardware failure during synchronization. It's best to perform syncs under stable power conditions with reliable software. 7. Can specific folders be synchronized? Most sync software lets you choose specific folders to sync or exclude file types you don't want to sync, catering to your preferences. 8. Does synchronization consume a lot of power and time? Syncing can take time and energy, especially with large files. Schedule syncs when your computer is charging and not in use to conserve resources. 9. Can drives with different formats be synchronized? In general, differences in drive formats (like FAT32, NTFS, HFS+) may affect synchronization. Ensure you use compatible sync software or format the drives to the same type before starting. 10. Can synchronization occur with cloud storage services? Yes, some sync software supports syncing between local hard drives and cloud storage services (such as Google Drive, Dropbox), enabling convenient access and backup across multiple devices and drives.

If you have further questions on this topic, you can read the Q&A below for more information.

1. Can I use two external hard drives on one PC?

Yes, you can connect two external hard drives. It depends on the number of available ports on your laptop or personal computer. If slots permit, you can connect more than two hard drives.

2. How do I mirror two hard disks?

A hard drive image is a textbook example of a two-way sync process. Both drives have the same data. If you delete, edit, modify, or add information to either one, that data will be synced once you start and complete the imaging process. There are plenty of great free options for imaging tools available online.

How do I use XCOPY to synchronize files between two external hard drives?

To do this, simply open the Command Prompt window. Then, run the command required for the sync. Make sure to include the correct characters. Refer to the above article for the parameters needed to generate the correct command.