FreeFileSync

{{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

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| 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}}}}

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| programming language =

| operating system = Windows, Linux, macOS

| platform = IA-32, x86-64

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| genre = File synchronization utility

| license = GNU General Public License v3

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

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FreeFileSync is a program used for file synchronization. It is available on 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.{{cite web|website=freefilesync.org|title=FAQ: Donation Edition|url=http://www.freefilesync.org/faq.php#donation-edition}} FreeFileSync has received positive reviews.{{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}}{{Cite web |title=FreeFileSync: App Reviews, Features, Pricing & Download |url=https://alternativeto.net/software/freefilesync/reviews/ |access-date=2024-05-28 |website=alternativeto.net}} 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 Google Drive, FTP, FTPS, SFTP and MTP devices.

Adware/malware

Earlier versions were packaged with OpenCandy,{{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/|access-date= 2 February 2018}}{{citation

|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|access-date= 2 February 2018}} an adware module which many antivirus software vendors classify as malware.{{citation|title=PUP.Optional.OpenCandy |publisher=Malwarebytes|url=https://blog.malwarebytes.com/detections/pup-optional-opencandy/|access-date= 3 February 2018}}{{citation|title=OpenCandy|publisher=Sophos

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

Since the release of version 10.0 in April 2018, the software is ad-free.{{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}} In November 2018 Norton wrongly considered FreeFileSync installer as a malware and blocked its installation.{{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}}

Supported operating systems

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

As of July 2024 the then current version 13.7 of FreeFileSync supported the following operating systems and versions:List of supported operating systems https://freefilesync.org/faq.php#operating-systems

Windows 11 down to Windows 7.
macOS 14.0 "Sonoma" down to Mac OS X 10.10 "Yosemite".
On Linux, many well-known distributions are supported. The website cites Arch Linux, CentOS, Debian, Fedora, Manjaro, Mint, openSUSE and Ubuntu.