Comparison Settings

I. Compare by "File time and size"

This variant considers two files with the same name as equal when modification time and file size match. The following cases are distinguished:

1. file exists on one side only

   • left only

   • right only

2. file exists on both sides

   1. different date

      • left newer

      • right newer

   2. same date

      • equal

      • conflict (same date, different size)

This results into the following categories:

• left only

• right only

• left newer

• right newer

• equal

• conflict (same date, different size)

II. Compare by "File content"

Two files with the same name are marked as equal if and only if they have the same content. This option is more useful for consistency checks rather than backup operations since it is naturally slower. The file modification time is not taken into account at all.

1. file exists on one side only

   • left only

   • right only

2. file exists on both sides

   • equal

   • different content

As a result the files are separated into the following categories:

• left only

• right only

• equal

• different content

Symbolic link handling

FreeFileSync offers three options to configure handling of symbolic links (also called symlinks or soft links):

1. Exclude: Skip symbolic links while scanning directories.
    

2. Direct: Evaluate the symbolic link object directly. Symbolic links will be shown as a separate entity on grid. Links pointing to directories are not traversed and the link object is copied directly during synchronization.
    

3. Follow: Treat symbolic links like the object they are pointing to. Links pointing to directories are traversed like ordinary directories and the target of each link is copied during synchronization.

Note:

• In Windows the symbolic link options apply to "Reparse Points". Reparse Points are a more general concept including symbolic links, junctions and mount points.

• Copying symbolic links requires administrator rights.