PureSync for Windows

User Reviews

• The best program to sync external HD's and PC files.

  Csaba TakachDecember 20, 2015

  Pros

  I have tried many backup programs, but none offered the ease and usability of PureSync (Version 3.10.3 Build 2678). My network Hard Drive (HD) is mapped and synced to my computer, providing a backup on the PC. However, i wanted to have an additional external HD to not only backup files but being able to read them just as the others. PureSync works wonderfully, syncing everything on my other external drive effortlessly onto my other HD. I am very happy with the program!

  Cons

  If it finds a file, which cannot be copied, it will stop and wait for instruction (skip or retry). It would be better if it would sync everything else and offer a conflict after the completion of the job. (Similar to Windows 10 sync conflicts.)

  Summary

  Net - net, it is a great program and it works perfectly for me.

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• Outstanding Sync & Backup

  chessie1948November 22, 2015

  Pros

  Easy to use, reliable, clean interface, many options, free

  Cons

  This is a quality product with no significant Cons.

  Summary

  I have used this several years, for syncs and backups across 3 computers, portable hard drives, and many brands and sizes of USB devices. I've tried others and this is the easiest and most reliable for me.

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• Lots of bugs, unreliable.

  July 24, 2015

  Pros

  Excellent user interface. Good intention.

  Cons

  The software is unreliable. Frequent crashes, and what's worst: automatic backup does not do it's job. Many files are being missed, even thought they are "picked up", if run the backup job manually. I really wanted this product to work, but due to it's unreliability, I'll be looking for another one.

  Summary

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• Caution: Changes Key Windows Settings

  jwalter90February 3, 2015

  Pros

  The concept is great, execution fails

  Cons

  What you'll discover after you install it - it changes key Windows settings, i.e., it changes where your default settings are located for Thunderbird, Firefox, and other Windows applications.

  Summary

  If you are still intending to install this software, after you have done so, click on "Advance Tools" to see what other programs have their default settings changed. At a minimum, the program should display those changes before you install the program, not buried somewhere deep in the program. And if you do use Thunderbird or Firefox, you might find these programs will not run correctly as the default settings location is changed. I wasn't willing to take that risk.

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• Caution: Changes Key Windows Settings

  BearPuppyJanuary 31, 2015

  Pros

  The concept is great, execution fails.

  Cons

  What you'll discover after you install it - it changes key Windows settings, i.e., it changes where your default settings are located for Thunderbird, Firefox, and other Windows applications.

  Summary

  If you are still intending to install this software, after you have done so, click on "Advance Tools" to see what other programs have their default settings changed. At a minimum, the program should display those changes before you install the program, not buried somewhere deep in the program. And if you do use Thunderbird or Firefox, you might find these programs will not run correctly as the default settings location is changed. I wasn't willing to take that risk.

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• Works well syncing to network, USB, XP, 7, etc.

  chessie1948May 13, 2013

  Pros

  We have been using this for a couple of years, with no serious problems. It syncs everything we've needed. We've tried other sync utilities, and this one works the best and most intuitively. It doesn't hurt to run a sync job twice, the second time as a "Binary" verification that everything copied flawlessly, but I've never found any errors in the copied files.

  Cons

  If you want major changes to an existing sync job, it is better to delete your obsolete sync job and set up a new sync. When syncing Favorites, there are often some failed links which can be cleaned off with a second run -- in the first run, it produces a good link when a link fails, and the next time the job is run, it would clean up those failed links. This seems to be an anomaly only of some kinds of Favorites.

  Summary

  People having problems with network syncing need to be sure they've set up SHARING across the network -- if they don't know how to do this, they shouldn't blame PureSync. Some "hang" problems early on have been resolved for quite some time now. To use this utility effectively, you do have to understand the process and terminology. There are lots of customized switches to be set for achieving precise results. Some people give low ratings to the software, when it is a user lack of understanding. This software has complex functionality and it is essential to have a brain to use it properly.

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• Learning Curve

  G-SystemsFebruary 25, 2013

  Pros

  Works Allows Syncing Between different Hard Drives Alerts when plugging external hardrive...prompts

  Cons

  Does not cleanly syncs May be confusing in the beginning

  Summary

  I went looking for some software to automate syncing my internal archive drive to my external hard drive archive. Setting up my machine like this allows me to stay in control of the data that I regularly see. Much of my old data may never be seen again, but, in my experience, when I delete it, I suddenly need it...or believe that something I am looking for was in it. Thus, PureSync fit the bill for what I needed. However, during the initial syncs, I became a bit confused by the extra "date" folder that appeared. Apparently, this is used to denote when something was synchronized, but it's not something I needed. All I needed was a mirror image of one drive to the other. It works fine now...now that I understand the structure of the software. Something I find interesting is the fact that any time I plug up a USB Drive, it will automatically ask if I would like to sync something to it. Although it was initially annoying (and probably something I can turn off in the settings...just being lazy right now), the most appropriate use of this, in my opinion, would be if you had an MP3 player capable of being used as an external drive. At that point, you could set up a folder that you always want to sync and then go from there. That's the only use I see for that, but I'm sure I don't speak for everyone. Either way, a good piece of software with a nice UI and does what it says...so far at least. I normally run a tight ship on my computer, so your experience may vary. At the least, I would say give it a try and be sure you can read... The settings are quite customizable.

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• Scheduled syncs don't work

  stricksonSeptember 24, 2012

  Pros

  Fine for manual backups where you control what you are doing.

  Cons

  Instructions were badly translated from German, and, contrary to what the OP said, totally unintuitive. Nothing happens on a schedule, on start up, shut down, etc. The program only works when you actually open it and set it running. Am I missing something here?

  Summary

  I think I'll stick with SyncToy.

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• A software pig of a product

  cd527phdNovember 10, 2011

  Pros

  Since it was free it did not cost anything to find out this software is not ready for prime time.

  Cons

  Does not seem to run on a Windows 7 system.

  Summary

  After crashing once I found that the program just seems to hang, and hang, and well you get the picture. Other than a desktop shortcut which does not seem to do anything I did not find any appearance the program was running in the task bar or or nearly anywhere else on my computer. Since I run a very speedy Windows 7 system this was surprising, but after a four day wait for something (scanning files perhaps) to occur I gave up and tried again. PureSync maybe wonderful for Cnet editors, but I think that I will stick with some of the other sync programs which do have a proven track record.

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• Easy to setup, Poor to run without constant user input

  Cindy62707October 5, 2011

  Pros

  Easy to setup for the most part.

  Cons

  It stalls out on files that it can't read, waiting for user input before proceeding. It wants to put the files in 2 locations and no way to let you fix that.

  Summary

  It is extremely slow because of the CONSTANT USER INPUT needed to get past files that it can't read. I needed to get a failing hard drive copied before it dies and this hold up is unacceptable. It needs to run to the end without the user having to sit and monitor every file of a 500 GB drive to keep it moving in the copy process. My backup has been running for over 16 hours because of this and it is no where near done. Put the bad files in a list for viewing and dealing with AFTER everything else is copied. My backup has been running for 16 hours because of this. It needs a way to put problem files in a list for later viewing and continuing on with those it can backup WITHOUT CONSTANT USER INPUT. Who has time to sit and watch the backup? My backup has been running for 16 hours because of this. It needs a way to put problem files in a list for later viewing and continuing on with those it can backup WITHOUT CONSTANT USER INPUT. Who has time to sit and watch the backup?

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