Synchronizing files between two computers basically means that the files from one system are being automatically copied from one location to the other. Microsoft makes free synchronization tools that gives you the ability to do this. For example, SyncToy is a free downloadable program that allows the synchronizations of two computers connected over a local network, such as at home or work. For computers not connected over a network, you can use Windows Briefcase--a tool included with Windows XP and later systems--to synchronize laptop and desktop files.
Instructions
1. Open an Internet browser on the laptop. Go to the Microsoft Download Center--located in the "Downloads and Trials" section of the Microsoft Website--and type in "SyncToy" in the search box (see "Resources"). Click on the "SyncToy" search result. Click the "download" link on SyncToy's download page to save the application on your computer. Double-click the installation file on the laptop to install it on the laptop.
2. Open the installed SyncToy application. Click the "Create New Folder Pair" button.
3. Click "Browse" in the "Left Folder" section. Navigate to the "Network" directory and find the computer name from which you want to sync. Click the arrow or "plus" sign next to the computer name to view shared folders. Click on a folder to highlight and select it. Click "OK."
4. Click "Browse" in the "Right Folder" section. Navigate to a folder on your laptop that you want to synchronize. Or, select a directory location and click "Make New Folder" to create an entirely new folder. Click on the folder you want to synchronize to select and highlight it and then click "OK." Click "Next."
5. Click the "Synchronize" radio button if it is not already selected. Click "Next." Type a name for the paired folders you're synchronizing. Click "Finish." Repeat this process to create as many paired folders from the PC and laptop as you want to synchronize.
6. Click on the paired folder's name in the left column of the SyncToy program if it is not already highlighted in blue. Click "Run" in the lower right corner of the SyncToy interface. Wait for the green status bar to display "Completed." Click "Close." Open SyncToy, select the paired folders' name that you want to sync and click "Run" whenever data, files and folders have been changed or edited from the PC location.
Tags: paired folders, want synchronize, Click Browse, Click folder, Click Next, computer name
