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Laptop and Desktop Files synchronization

offline files feature can be used as a tool to synchronize files between two computers, though it is not really intended for this purpose. Many laptop users face the situation that they keep the files on their laptops as well as the desktops and have to do a manual synchronization between the two when the files are modified on one machine. Or sometimes one may forget which machine has the latest modified files. All this can be avoided by using offline files.

How to use it?

  • Keep the files on the desktop machine and share it and give access only to yourself.
  • Enable offline files on the laptop.
  • Access the share from the laptop and mark the share for offline availability.

Now you can work on the files even in disconnected mode and when you reconnect the machine to the network, offline files automatically replicates the changes to the desktop machine.

When you are working online on the laptop all the file access happen on the desktop files and offline files always keeps the local files(laptop files) up to date by invoking synchronization manager at regular intervals of time.

See also:
Microsoft Synctoy : File Syncing tool

{ 7 comments… add one }
  • Eileen January 21, 2010, 2:43 am

    Is it possible to sync onto an external drive plugged into my laptop? I sync quite a bit of data and it clogs up my C drive.

  • Janice January 21, 2010, 3:39 pm

    Is it possible to sync two laptops up for a user with files off of the network? I am setting up a new computer for a user and she has an existing computer with sync enabled. Please let me know if this is possible.

  • Srini January 22, 2010, 4:38 am

    If you want to have a permanent sync between the two laptops and if the network share is online, enable offline files on the new laptop too..
    This way both the laptops will be in sync with the file server and indirectly will be syncing files among themselves too..
    Hope I understood your question correctly..

  • Anonymous October 31, 2011, 10:55 am

    Is the sync feature available on windows 7 bit home premium.

    I have a laptop and desktop but regularly need to work between the tow of them. They are both running the same OS.

    I have scoured the internet and cannot get a working solution

  • Anonymous October 31, 2011, 11:00 am

    Edit to say above post should read *64 bit windows 7 home premium

  • Srini October 31, 2011, 11:10 am

    Offline files is not available for home editions(basic and premium).

    However you can use Microsoft's synctoy tool. It supports x64 also. check the below link..

    Microsoft's Synctoy tool

  • Anonymous October 31, 2011, 12:04 pm

    After much searching, this is what I eventually concluded. Thanks for confirming this for me. I'll check out the synctoy.

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