Review: Synchronize any Windows folder on your PC with Dropbox, thanks to Dropbox Folder Sync

Dropbox is a useful service that proves its worth time and time again. But to sync your data to other computers and mobile devices, you need to get that data into the default Dropbox folder in the first place, and sometimes that can prove problematic. Some data—such as browser profiles (Firefox), games points and profiles, Outlook data files, and password manager files (such as KeePass)— can't be moved. For this, you will need Dropbox Folder Sync.

The simple little app requires you to just insert the location of your default installed Dropbox folder.

Dropbox Folder Sync is a small, free app that integrates itself into your Explorer right-click menu, and allows you to create what is called a "symbolic link." What this means is that a folder on your computer can be connected to your Dropbox account, and nothing needs to be moved at all. In fact, your computer won't even be aware that there is a link in the first place.  The symbolic link will create a clone folder in your Dropbox account and when something changes in the original folder, the clone folder in Dropbox will update instantly.

After installing the software, all you have to do is find the folder you want to clone and right-click on it.  You will see two new options, sync with Dropbox and unsync with Dropbox. Choose the first one, and a Windows shortcut arrow will appear on the folder. A copy of the folder will also now appear inside your Dropbox account. It goes without saying that you need to check beforehand if you have enough space in your Dropbox account to handle the extra files. If not, you may need to consider upgrading—for a fee.

Now everytime you drop something into the original folder, or when an existing file changes in any way, that change will instantly be reflected in the cloned folder in Dropbox. And nothing needs to be moved from the original installation files, which means nothing will inconveniently break.

If you decide that you no longer want the original folder linked to Dropbox, just right-click on it again and choose “unsync with Dropbox”. The cloned folder will be deleted in Dropbox and the original folder will remain as it was.

To create a Dropbox symbolic link, just right-click on the folder and choose "sync with Dropbox." To remove the symbolic link, right-click and choose "unsync with Dropbox."

The developer says that a new version is in the pipeline with small improvements such as syncing to an already existing folder in your Dropbox folder. Currently you are not allowed to specify where the cloned folder goes, which can lead to a messy Dropbox folder. Another planned feature is consolidating the right-click menu options into a single sub-menu.  The app is constantly being refined and tweaked and the developers seem very responsive on their website with regards to feedback, feature requests, and potential bug reports.

If you are a Dropbox user and you want to start syncing data that you normally wouldn't be able to move into Dropbox, then give Dropbox Folder Sync a try.

Note: The Download button on the Product Information page takes you to the vendor's site, where you can download the latest version of the software.

Expatriate Scotsman now living in Wurzburg, Germany, freelance writer, frustrated future bestselling author, obsessed bibliophile. Other interests include trying to understand The Architect in the Matrix movies, decrypting codes and ciphers, and trying to persuade my landlord and my wife to let me have a Highland Cow for a pet.
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Compare and synchronize PC files easily with FreeFileSync

As hard drives start to get bigger, it becomes more and more convenient to become digital packrats, stuffing files left, right and center into folders and assuming that they will be safe forever. But some of those files may be important, so what if your hard drive suddenly fails and you can't access those important files anymore? It can and will happen. So that's where backup and synchronization techniques come into play and one app that could help you out in this area is FreeFileSync (free).

You can easily view 2 PC folders in FreeFileSync, making comparing & synchronizing a one-click affair.Obviously you need another hard drive or server to back up to. But assuming you've got that side of things worked out, FreeFileSync ensures that your files get synced over from one drive/server to another.

When I installed it, the thing I immediately liked about it was it offered to give me a portable version. Since I am somebody who is reluctant to install too much stuff, this is a nice touch.

There are two big (and only) options in FreeFileSync, "Compare" and "Synchronize." They pretty much speak for themselves. There are two columns in the app. In each column, browse to the desired folder on your PC, hit either the "compare" or the "synchronize" button and then let the app do its work. It goes very fast, so don't go off making coffee, expecting it to take ages. It blitzed through the files I gave it to test. I was impressed.

One of the other features I liked, being an automation fan (and a lazy computer user) was the batch job feature. You are able to set it up so two folders are automatically synchronized with one another at a certain time, based on certain variables. So never again will I have to worry about my collection of David Hasselhoff pictures being accidently wiped. FreeFileSync will automatically sync them for me.

Some other nice features include detecting renamed and moved files and folders, copying locked files, copying Symbolic Links, and support for long file path names of up to 260 characters.

Sometimes you don't need bells and whistles to get the job done. Sometimes basic simple software is enough.

FreeFileSync is basic, it's simple, and it gets the job done.

—Mark O'Neill

FreeFileSync is a folder comparison and synchronization tool providing highly optimized performance and usability without needless user interface complexity.

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