Multi-Platform Synchronization Application FreeFileSync Now Supports SFTP and MTP

FreeFileSync has released v. 7.5 of its free open source file synchronization utility for all modern versions of Windows, Linux, and Mac OS X. The new version supports the SFTP protocol.

Unlike some applications that work with the secure FTP protocol, FreeFileSync eliminates the tedious and error-prone tasks of manually identifying files that have changed on the source computer and moving them to the target computer. FreeFileSync can recognize which files have changed, and move only those files to the target computer. Users can simply set up a mirror synchronization batch job, and run it each time files or folders need to be changed on the target computer.

FreeFileSync can now detect moved files on the source computer, even for targets with no file-id support (for example, when using SFTP) or with unstable file-id support (when using FAT targets). This new capability delivers a significant performance boost under NTFS-to-SFTP and NTFS-to-FAT mirror scenarios.

Version 7.5 has enhanced its media transfer protocol (MTP) support, making it even easier for users to synchronize files and folders between their PCs and their iPhone, iPad, Android smartphone or tablet, digital camera, and other MTP devices. With its emphasis on fully integrating with Windows Explorer, the software allows users to see their MTP files with Explorer, open MTP files with their default application, preselect the active MTP folder in the folder-picker dialog, and drag and drop files and folders from Explorer into FreeFileSync. All of these features work with tablets, cameras, digital audio players, PDAs, and files on any device that supports the MTP protocol.

FreeFileSync delivers features that are normally found in the premium versions of commercial applications. It can copy locked files, compare binary files, handle symbolic links and even process two-way synchronization challenges such as detecting conflicts and propagating deletions. The fail-safe file copy design includes multiple strategies to prevent data corruption if the synchronization process is interrupted.

The application allows users to create configuration files that let them immediately show the difference between two folders, or run a synchronization by double-clicking a configuration file. The latest version adds a new context menu option to create diffs by copying selected files to alternate folders. This new feature makes it simple for users to compare two folders and only copy the changed files to an external folder.

FreeFileSync fully supports long file paths with more than 260 characters. The software effortlessly creates cross-platform copies among Windows, Linux, and Mac OS X, as well as iOS and Android devices that support MTP.

Price and availability

FreeFileSync is available without cost. FreeFileSync runs on Windows XP/Vista/7/8/8.1/10, Mac OS X 10.7 and newer, and all major distributions of Linux.

Links

Product website: http://www.freefilesync.org