Program that checks drive and copies new/changed files only

Hard to find the words for what I want.

Needing a program that I can use to make backups of files only (not a clone or full copy). I want it to check a source drive and make copies of all new/changed files but won't copy files that haven't changed, also delete files off the backup drive that have been deleted off the source drive so they are identical. If that makes sense. So it will only make changes were changes were on the source drive to speed up copy process. I'm happy to pay for a program that does this.

 

I think SyncToy will do what you want.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SyncToy

 

i think you mean a Incremental backup
this works good
https://www.aomeitech.com/aomei-backupper.html

you can pick folders, files only, it does it once, then only backs up the difference each time it runs
heaps fast backup

 

Robocopy

 

Synctoy seems to be like what I want, but it seems that it won't delete obsolete files from the backup drive, just makes a copy of the renamed file from the source drive.

 

Rsync would be the proper tool to get that job done as in normal mode it checks the dates and files sizes when deciding which ones to copy or you can use the -c checksum flag to make sure the files are exactly identical down to the last byte and you can also easily delete files and folders in the destination directory that aren't in the source, the only disadvantage with the -c option is that identical files at the source and destination would still be scanned regardless but at least those that are found to be different would be copied.

Pretty much everyone agrees that all rsync programs that also use Cygwin for windows are crap however you could give Aerosync for windows a try, another alternative that's free is to create a Linux VM just to use a real Rsync that comes with it and give the VM network access to both the source and destination directories.

 

Bvckup2 is excellent and fast

 

Allwaysync

https://allwaysync.com

 

SyncBack SE can copy, backup and/or mirror (copy to and delete missing files from destination).

Comparisons can be made visa size, modified date, hash or a combination.

 

Robocopy
It's free with windows.
Save specifications in a file, use a scheduled task to start a job after hours, restart a noncomplete copy part way through etc

Open a Dos prompt
robocopy /?

You can script the job in Synctoy as well, so part GUI with a single shortcut kicking it off

"C:\Program Files\SyncToy 2.1\SyncToyCmd.exe" -R "YOUR JOB NAME"

 

Fastcopy is free and does what you want. Also works with making a scheduled task

 

I've used this for years.
Copies new/amended files. And can either delete or move older files

 

In case you're still looking, you should check out FreeFileSync. It also has a real time monitor for any file changes if you prefer to automate the process.

https://freefilesync.org/

 

+1 for FreeFileSync.

- Bear

 

Which OS?

In Linux, there are several options; I personally use Deja Dup.

On Windows (8.1?) there is a built in function to do incremental backups to a location of your choice.

On both, there was an option to discard files after a time period of your choice.