How To Automate SyncToy Jobs in Windows 7 with Task Scheduler

BYTE -- Here's how to create a scheduled task. This is better than having to remember to run SyncToy manually every time you make changes to either folder in a synced-up pair. Especially during a hectic working day. It's better to automate the process. Here's how.

Click Start and type Task Scheduler into the Search box. Hit Enter.

When Task Scheduler opens, create a basic task under Actions in the right panel.

Give the task a name and description. Hit Next.

Choose when you want the task to start.

Now enter the date and time to start and how often it will run. If the folders you're syncing are important, set it to run every day.

Under Action, select Start a program. Click Next.

Now browse to or type in the path in for SyncToycmd.exe, which typically should be located at C:\Program Files\SyncToy 2.1 in Windows 7.

In the Add arguments field type -R to make all active folder pairs run.

You'll get an overview of the task you created. If everything looks correct, click Finish. If you need to make any changes you can go back at this point and make them.

Syncing important files and folders is a great way to ensure your important data is backed up in two locations. If you use the Task Scheduler to run the sync job, you’ll get some peace of mind knowing everything is automatically synchronized automatically. Nice.

Brian Burgess is the executive editor at BYTE. Follow him @mysticgeek. Got a comment or idea? Send it to him at Brian@BYTE.com.