Don't Lose Your Files If Your Computer Breaks Down! Automatic Backup with FreeFileSync

Platform: Windows, macOS, Linux
Program: FreeFileSync 14.12

Your computer may contain thousands of photos, videos, documents, or project files. So what happens if the computer's disk fails or you accidentally delete a folder?

Keeping files only on your computer is risky. However, copying all folders over and over again for each change is an unnecessary waste of time.

FreeFileSync is a free, open-source program that compares two folders and synchronizes changes between them, making it easier for you to make backups.

The logic of the program is quite simple. You choose a source folder and a target folder. By comparing these two locations, FreeFileSync helps determine which files are new, which have changed, and which are missing.

For example, YouTube Projects folder to the backup folder on your external disk. When you add a new video or change an existing file, the program can ensure that only the necessary files are copied.

There are also different usage methods:

Bi-way synchronization: Matches folders, taking into account changes made on both sides.

Mirror: Used to make the target folder the same as the source folder. However, this option should be used carefully as some files in the target may be deleted.

Comparison: Lets you see which files will be changed before copying.

You can set up a backup scheme among external disks, local folders, and supported network storage locations.

Program 14.12 release September 9, 2026 has been released. The size of database files has been reduced by 16 percent in this release; Additionally, fixes were made for filter appearance and interface issues on different systems.

Important notice: Synchronization does not always mean an independent backup. Accidentally deleted files may also be deleted from the backup during mirroring. It is safer to keep a separate versioned backup or a separate copy for important files.