Syncing files can make working remotely more efficient.
Synchronizing, or syncing, your PC files allows you to view the latest update to those files on more than one computer. For instance, you can share files between your work computer, your personal laptop and your personal desktop PCs. But before you can view the newest version of a file, you need to set up the sync feature in all of the Windows computers you will be using.
Instructions
Windows XP: Removable Disk
1. Insert a removable disk or USB flash drive into your main computer. You have two options when syncing on a computer running Windows XP: store files on a removable disk and sync across multiple computers, or sync files across computers connected to a network.
2. Open "Briefcase" and copy the files you wish to sync to Briefcase.
3. Drag Briefcase to the removable disk or USB flash drive. Eject the drive once the file has copied.
4. Insert the removable disk or USB flash drive into the other computers with which you wish to synchronize.
5. To sync the newest version of the files to the original computer (where the older version of those files are stored), open Briefcase and click "Update All" on Briefcase menu. Alternatively, you may select the files you wish to update and click "Update Selection."
Windows XP: Networked Computers
6. Connect your main and secondary computers through a wireless or cabled network. Open Briefcase on the secondary computer (the one without the files) and copy the files from the main computer (the one with the main files). This allows you to edit and work on files on the secondary computer. You do not need to maintain the network connection after you have opened the files on the secondary computer.
7. After you are done working on the files, reconnect the computers by network (or direct cable connection).
8. Open Briefcase on the secondary computer.
9. In the Briefcase menu, click "Update All." Alternatively, you may select the files you wish to update and click "Update Selection" instead.
Windows Vista: Sync Center
10. Turn on devices to be synced with the main computer. According to the Microsoft website, Windows Vista uses a different method to sync files across several computers called the "Sync Center," which allows syncing in one direction or two directions. One-way sync only updates files on the main computer. Two-way sync updates across all devices and keeps the most recent version of the file on all the computers.
11. Click the "Start" button, "All Programs" then "Accessories." Click "Sync Center."
12. Click the "Set Up New Sync Partnership" option.
13. Select the name of the device from the list of available sync partnerships. You may opt for more than one.
14. Click "Sync" to sync files to the secondary device, or devices.
Windows 7: SyncToy
15. Download the free application (see Resources). The file will download as a self-executing file which will install itself on your computer.
16. Click "Save File" for SyncToySetupPackage. Choose the location where you wish to save the file.
17.Open the file "SyncToySetupPackage" by double-clicking it. Click "OK" for "Open Executable File?" window.
18. Click "Run" for "Open File Security Warning" window. Click "Accept" for "SyncToy Setup" window.
19. Configure the files you want to sync. Find SyncToy under "All Programs" and open it. Click "New Folder Pair" to add files you wish to sync across computers.
20. Click "Browse" to locate the files you wish to sync and select the files. Click "Browse" again, which is now available on the right side of the screen. This is where you will find your secondary backup device, flash drive or networked computer(s). Click "OK" to select the location for synced files.
21. Click "Next" and choose "Synchronize," which will sync files across the devices.
22. Name the new Folder Pair, i.e., "sync folder."
23. Click "Finish." When you see the message, "SyncToy was successful," the files on the secondary device(s) are now ready to be edited and will update to the files on the original device the next time you sync.
Tags: files wish, click Update, files secondary, flash drive, main computer, secondary computer, sync files
