If for work or study reasons we have to use more than one computer on a regular basis, it is possible that on more than one occasion we need to transfer files or folders from one device to another. Doing it the traditional way, hanging a flash drive or any other external storage medium can be a tedious and desperate task. Another option could use a program like Synchhing File Synchronization that we are going to talk about today.
Syncthing, synchronize files with your computers
Syncthing is a file synchronization program with which we can synchronize two or more computers in real time. This connection is made securely to avoid prying eyes. The application is open source, multiplatform and free. It will allow us to select any folder on our computer and synchronize it with other devices, so that we can pass all kinds of files in the fastest and most comfortable way, without having to move.
This application does not depend on a central server to carry out the synchronization tasks, but the files are synchronized directly from one computer to another, as long as all the devices are always under the same network. The application works through our Internet connection, and in case it does not work or there is no Internet connection, it can be done as long as the devices are on the same LAN . This makes it very interesting if we have several computers in our home or for companies with several devices in the office. Synchronization with other devices such as mobile phones or tablets is also possible.
Main features
- Private and secure : none of our data is stored in any place other than our computer, since Syncthing does not use a central server.
- Encryption : all information travels securely using TLS encryption so that no one can have the option to spy on our data.
- Authenticated : Each of the nodes is identified by a strong cryptographic certificate. Only nodes that we explicitly allow can connect to your cluster.
- Open source : all the source code of the application is available on GitHub, so there are no hidden businesses behind it.
- Easy to use : it allows us to synchronize as many folders as we need with people we trust or between our own devices.
- Portable : the application is accessible from our browser, running on Windows, Linux and macOS. We can run it from our computer and synchronize with your server to make backup copies.
- Simple synchronization : this application does not need IP addresses or any advanced configuration for its operation, using our ID on each device.
Set up and use Syncthing
Once we run Syncthing, the main menu will appear in our browser that we have enabled by default. The interface is quite simple and it is also in Spanish, which is something that is appreciated so that all kinds of users can have simple access to this type of program. Of course, a poster appears (this yes in English) where it warns us that the user / password is not configured, so we must configure it if we do not want unwanted users to access it.
To configure our username and password, click on the “Settings” tab in the information window, or on the “Actions” tab on the upper right. Here we click on the GUI tab. Here we fill in the User Authentication and Password fields and click on Save. It also allows us to configure the theme from this window, in case we want to choose a light or dark theme.
On the main screen we will see on the left side the folder column. Here we can configure the existing Default Folder folder and add new ones. In this way we can create a folder for images, videos, documents, etc. The default folder where all files stay is “C: Users Sync username” . To add new folders is as simple as clicking “Add folders” and configure it to our liking.
On the right side we have our device, where we can see data such as the download and upload speed, the version of our equipment or the operating time. In order to change files with another device we will have to click on the “Add a device” tab and configure our ID, which must be exact on the other device where we share the files so that they can synchronize with each other.
Download and install Syncthing
Syncthing is a free open source application that we can download from its website . It is compatible with Linux, macOS and Windows in 32 and 64 bit versions. Currently its latest available version is v.1.7.0 . From here we download a zip file that weighs about 11 MB and that we must unzip to locate its syncthing.exe installation file. This application is free from any malware and of course it will not try to sneak in any additional third-party software.
Once we run the installer, we will get a message from the Windows Firewall, to which we will have to give access permission for this application, so that it lets us connect to our public and private networks.
Once accepted, the application will start to run and for this, our browser will open that we have enabled by default. Here we will see a poster asking for our consent to send an anonymous report of our use. We can click Yes or No, depending on our willingness to collaborate, the response to its use not being conditioned. Later we can start using the application.
Alternatives to Syncthing
In addition to Syncthing, we can find other programs to synchronize files between different devices, such as:
FreeFileSync
We are dealing with a free and open source program to synchronize files, which also allows us to create and manage our own backup copies. The application is cross-platform so it is compatible with Windows, macOS and Linux computers. We can download FreeFileSync for free from its website .
Bart
It is a portable application with which we can synchronize all kinds of files and folders in Windows, being able to back them up from other devices. It also allows you to configure exclusions for those files that we do not want to synchronize. We can download Bart for free from his official website.
