FreeFileSync: Difference between revisions

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{{short description|Free and open-sourceFreeware file synchronization program}}

{{Infobox software

| title =

| name = FreeFileSync

| logo = FreeFileSync Icon.png

| logo caption =

| screenshot = FreeFileSync v6.7 on Windows 8.1.png

| caption = FreeFileSync 6.7 running on [[Windows 8.1]]

| collapsible =

| author =

| developer =

| released = {{Start date and age|2008|08}}

| discontinued =

| latest release version = {{wikidata|property|reference|P348}}

| latest release date = {{start date and age|{{wikidata|qualifier|P348|P577}}}}

| latest preview version =

| latest preview date = <!-- {{Start date and age|YYYY|MM|DD|df=yes/no}} -->

| programming language =

| operating system = [[Windows]], [[Linux]], [[macOS]]

| platform = [[IA-32]], [[x86-64]]

| language =

| language count = <!-- Number only -->

| language footnote =

| genre = [[File synchronization|File synchronization utility]]

| license = [[GNU GPLv3General Public License]] v3

| website = {{URL|http://www.freefilesync.org}}

| standard =

| AsOf =

| screenshot_size =

| screenshot_alt =

}}

'''FreeFileSync''' is a [[Free and open-source software|free and open-source]] program used for [[file synchronization]]. It is available on [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]], [[Linux]] and [[OS X]]. The project is backed by donations. Donors get a few additional features such as an auto-updater, parallel sync, portable version, and silent installation.<ref name="Donation Edition FAQ ">{{cite web|website=freefilesync.org|title=FAQ: Donation Edition|url=http://www.freefilesync.org/faq.php#donation-edition}}</ref>

'''FreeFileSync''' is a program used for [[file synchronization]]. It is available on [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]], [[Linux]] and [[macOS]]. The project is backed by donations. Donors get access to a Donation Edition that contains a few additional features such as an auto-updater, parallel sync, portable version, and silent installation.<ref name="Donation Edition FAQ ">{{cite web|website=freefilesync.org|title=FAQ: Donation Edition|url=http://www.freefilesync.org/faq.php#donation-edition}}</ref> FreeFileSync has received positive reviews.<ref>{{Cite web |last=O'Neill |first=Mark |date=29 August 2012 |title=Compare and synchronize PC files easily with FreeFileSync |url=https://www.pcworld.com/article/261465/compare_and_synchronize_pc_files_easily_with_freefilesync.html |access-date=2024-05-28 |website=pcworld.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=FreeFileSync: App Reviews, Features, Pricing & Download |url=https://alternativeto.net/software/freefilesync/reviews/ |access-date=2024-05-28 |website=alternativeto.net}}</ref> FreeFileSync is available free of charge for personal use; the official Windows installer requires the users to accept the terms of use, which state that for business use they are required to purchase a business edition version of the application.

FreeFileSync works by comparing one or multiple folders on their content, date or file size and subsequently synchronizing the content according to user-defined settings. In addition to supporting local file systems and network shares, FreeFileSync is able to sync to FTP, FTPS, SFTP and MTP devices.

FreeFileSync works by comparing one or multiple folders on their content, date or file size and subsequently synchronizing the content according to user-defined settings. In addition to supporting local file systems and network shares, FreeFileSync is able to sync to [[Google Drive]], [[File Transfer Protocol|FTP]], [[FTPS]], [[SSH File Transfer Protocol|SFTP]] and MTP devices.

== Adware/Malware ==

Earlier versions were packaged with [[OpenCandy]],<ref name="backupreview">{{citation|date=10 March 2014|title=FreeFileSync comes bundled with the OpenCandy malware, and there’s no option to not install it.|last= Akerlund|first= Geoff|publisher=Backup Review|url=http://www.backupreview.com/freefilesync-review/|accessdate= 2 February 2018}}</ref><ref name="techsupportalert">{{citation

== Adware/Malwaremalware ==

|date=16 April 2017|title=Controversial Advertising Program Now Being Embedded in More Software|last= Richards|first= Gizmo|publisher=Tech Support Alert|url=https://www.techsupportalert.com/content/controversial-advertising-program-now-being-embedded-more-software.htm|accessdate= 2 February 2018}}</ref> an adware module which many [[antivirus software]] vendors classify as [[malware]].<ref name="malwarebytes">{{citation|title=PUP.Optional.OpenCandy |publisher=Malwarebytes|url=https://blog.malwarebytes.com/detections/pup-optional-opencandy/|accessdate= 3 February 2018}}</ref><ref name="sophos">{{citation|title=OpenCandy|publisher=Sophos

Earlier versions were packaged with [[OpenCandy]],<ref name="backupreview">{{citation|date=10 March 2014|title=FreeFileSync comes bundled with the OpenCandy malware, and there’sthere's no option to not install it.|last= Akerlund|first= Geoff|publisher=Backup Review|url=http://www.backupreview.com/freefilesync-review/|accessdateaccess-date= 2 February 2018}}</ref><ref name="techsupportalert">{{citation

|url=https://www.sophos.com/en-us/threat-center/threat-analyses/adware-and-puas/OpenCandy/detailed-analysis.aspx|accessdate= 3 February 2018}}</ref><ref name="trendmicro">{{citation|title=ADW_OPENCANDY|publisher=Trend Micro|url=https://www.trendmicro.com/vinfo/us/threat-encyclopedia/malware/adw_opencandy|accessdate= 3 February 2018}}</ref><ref name="virustotal">{{citation|title=Virustotal analyses of OpenCandy|publisher=Virus Total|url=https://virustotal.com/en/file/81196839f19269ce807e43c8b9669459dc833d6fd2d510646fc0bebc0e0ef2eb/analysis/#comments|accessdate= 3 February 2018}}</ref>

|date=16 April 2017|title=Controversial Advertising Program Now Being Embedded in More Software|last= Richards|first= Gizmo|publisher=Tech Support Alert|url=https://www.techsupportalert.com/content/controversial-advertising-program-now-being-embedded-more-software.htm|accessdateaccess-date= 2 February 2018}}</ref> an adware module which many [[antivirus software]] vendors classify as [[malware]].<ref name="malwarebytes">{{citation|title=PUP.Optional.OpenCandy |publisher=Malwarebytes|url=https://blog.malwarebytes.com/detections/pup-optional-opencandy/|accessdateaccess-date= 3 February 2018}}</ref><ref name="sophos">{{citation|title=OpenCandy|publisher=Sophos

|url=https://www.sophos.com/en-us/threat-center/threat-analyses/adware-and-puas/OpenCandy/detailed-analysis.aspx|accessdateaccess-date= 3 February 2018}}</ref><ref name="trendmicro">{{citation|title=ADW_OPENCANDY|publisher=Trend Micro|url=https://www.trendmicro.com/vinfo/us/threat-encyclopedia/malware/adw_opencandy|accessdateaccess-date= 3 February 2018}}</ref><ref name="virustotal">{{citation|title=Virustotal analyses of OpenCandy|publisher=Virus Total|url=https://virustotal.com/en/file/81196839f19269ce807e43c8b9669459dc833d6fd2d510646fc0bebc0e0ef2eb/analysis/#comments|accessdateaccess-date= 3 February 2018}}</ref>

Since the release of version 10.0 in April 2018, the software is ad-free.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ghacks.net/2018/05/03/freefilesync-10-0/|title=FreeFileSync 10.0 updates removes ads from installer|last=Brinkmann|first=Martin|website=ghacks.net|language=en|date=3 May 2018|access-date=30 May 2018}}</ref> In November 2018 Norton wrongly considered FreeFileSync installer as a malware and blocked its installation.<ref name="False Positive FAQ ">{{cite web|website=freefilesync.org|title=My virus scanner/firewall shows a scary warning. Is there a virus, malware, or trojan?|url=https://freefilesync.org/faq.php#virus}}</ref>

== Supported OSoperating systems ==

FreeFileSync is available for 32bit and 64bit operating systems.

As of MayJuly 20202024 the then current version 1013.237 of FreeFileSync supported the following operating systems and versions:<ref>List of supported operating systems https://freefilesync.org/faq.php#operating-systems</ref>

* Windows 1011 down to Windows 7.

* MacOSmacOS 1014.150 "CatalinaSonoma" down to Mac OS X 10.810 "Mountain LionYosemite".

* On Linux, many well-known distributions are supported. The web sitewebsite cites Arch Linux, CentOS, Debian, Fedora, Manjaro, Mint, SUSEopenSUSE and Ubuntu.

=== Older operating systems ===

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* [[Comparison of file synchronization software]]

* [[Comparison of online backup services]]

* [[List of backup software]]

* [[Comparison of backup software]]

== References ==

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==External links==

* [http://www.freefilesync.org Official website]

{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2024}}

[[Category:Cross-platform free software]]

[[Category:File copy utilities]]

[[Category:Free file comparison tools]]

[[Category:Cross-platformSoftware freeusing softwarethe GNU General Public License]]

[[Category:SoftwareFree usingbackup the GPL licensesoftware]]