FAQs

General Questions

How can I access my files on my android phone with AllSync?
Can I use AllSync to synchronize the content of databases (e.g. Outlook) and other files?
Can I use AllSync to copy data items to an FTP server?
When synching two computers does the same operating system have to be installed both of them?
Can I use AllSync to back up my data onto CDs and DVDs?

Installation and Getting Started

Which computer does AllSync have to be installed on if I want to sync the data between two computers?
How can I transfer AllSync to another computer?

Copy Operations

Why are files that haven't changed always transferred?
How can I have a copy operation automatically run when starting Windows?
How can I have the USB device automatically deactivated after running a copy operation?
How can I use a USB device with changing drive letters?

Copying Files

How can I copy open files using AllSync?
How does AllSync know which file – source or destination – needs to be copied?
Why may the source and destination files still show a difference of a few seconds after a copy operation?
Can I use AllSync to copy files with Unicode characters in their names?
How can I boost the copying speed in data transfer over network links?

Synchronization

Does AllSync recognize when the same file on two computers has been edited since the last sync operation?

Network

What link is required between two computers so I can sync data using AllSync?
What ports and protocols are used when transferring data to another computer?

AllSync Scheduler

Why aren't my tasks being started at the scheduled time?

AllSync Scheduler Service

Why can't AllSync Scheduler access linked drive letters?
Why can't AllSync Scheduler access drive letters mapped by WebDrive?

General Questions

How can I access my files on my android phone with AllSync?

Google dropped the support for USBMS (USB Mass Storage device) since Android 4. Now your phone will be connected as an MTP device instead and Windows does not see MTP devices as a mass storage devices. However, you can install a WebDAV server on your phone to share the data from the storage partition on your phone at your home network. On your Windows PC you can access the files from your phone by using the phone's IP Address or link a drive letter to it. See tutorial Backup files from your smartphone.

Can I use AllSync to synchronize the records of two databases (e.g. Outlook)?

No, this isn't possible.

Can I use AllSync to copy data items to an FTP server?

Yes, see tutorial Data Imaging on an FTP Server.

When synching two computers does the same operating system have to be installed both of them?

No, this isn't necessary.

Can I use AllSync to back up my data onto CDs and DVDs?

No, this isn't possible.

Installation and Getting Started

Which computer does AllSync have to be installed on if I want to sync the data between two computers?

AllSync has to be installed on only one of the computers. We recommend installing AllSync on the more powerful of the two computers.

Copy Operations

Why are files that haven't changed always transferred?

See question Why may the source and destination files still show a difference of a few seconds after a copy operation?

How can I have a copy operation automatically run when starting Windows?

You can create a shortcut of your profile in the Windows Startup folder or have the profile started by AllSync Scheduler when starting Windows.

How can I have the USB device automatically deactivated after running a copy operation?

In the profile properties, enable the option Safely remove hardware after copy operation.

How can I use a USB device with changing drive letters?

Use the folder variable %driveletter:drivename% when specifying the source or destination folder.

Copying Files

How can I copy open files using AllSync?

Activate the Windows Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS) copy option to copy open files.

How does AllSync know which file – source or destination – needs to be copied?

AllSync uses the last modified date, which is automatically updated by Windows as soon as a change has been made to the file.

Why may the source and destination files still show a difference of a few seconds after a copy operation?

This is caused by differing treatment by Microsoft Windows of the NTFS and FAT file systems. You can remedy this problem by activating the Treat files with a modified time differential of option in the Profile Properties (Copy Rules).

Can I use AllSync to copy files with Unicode characters in their names?

Yes. AllSync can copy files and folders with Unicode characters in their names.

How can I boost the copying speed in data transfer over network links?

Use copy method C in this case (cf. Profile Properties).

Synchronization

Does AllSync recognize when the same file on two computers has been edited since the last sync operation?

Yes, this is enabled via the File Conflict option.

Network

What link is required between two computers so I can sync data using AllSync?

The computers have to be linked via a network and read and write access has to be enabled for the data.

What ports and protocols are used when transferring data to another computer?

AllSync uses standard Windows protocols and ports (TCP 139 / UDP 137-138) for data traffic in Windows networks. For more information, see Windows Ports and Protocols.

AllSync Scheduler

Why aren't my tasks being started at the scheduled time?

Tasks can't be automatically run unless AllSync Scheduler is started and activated.

AllSync Scheduler Service

Why can't AllSync Scheduler access linked drive letters?

Windows doesn't enable access to linked drive letters unless the user is logged in to the system and the service has been installed under the user's account. In this case, use a direct UNC path in lieu of a drive link.

Why can't AllSync Scheduler access drive letters mapped by WebDrive?

In the options of WebDrive, enable access by Windows services to mapped drive letters.