Schedule a Batch Job

  1. Create a new batch job via FreeFileSync's main dialog: Menu → File → Save as batch job...
     
  2. By default FreeFileSync will show a progress dialog during synchronization and wait while the results dialog is shown. If the progress dialog is not needed enable checkbox Run minimized. This will also skip the results dialog at the end.

    Alternatively if you want to see the progress, but not pause at the results, it's sufficient to only select the On completion action Close progress dialog.



    Note
    Even if the progress dialog is not shown at the beginning, you can make it visible at any time during synchronization by double-clicking the FreeFileSync notification area icon.


  3. If you don't want error or warning messages to interrupt synchronization, set Handle errors to either Ignore or Stop.
     
  4. If log files are required, enable Save log and enter a folder path. Additionally FreeFileSync always stores the result of the last synchronization in file LastSyncs.log (up to a user-defined size, see Expert Settings).
     
  5. Set up the FreeFileSync batch job in your operating system's scheduler:
     

    1. Windows 7 Task Scheduler:

      • Click on Start and run taskschd.msc.
      • Create a new basic task and follow the wizard.
      • Make Program/script point to the location of FreeFileSync.exe and insert the ffs_batch file into Add arguments.
      • Use quotation marks to protect spaces in path names, e.g. "D:\Backup Projects.ffs_batch"


      Note
      Beginning with Windows Vista the Program/script always needs to point to an executable file like FreeFileSync.exe even if ffs_batch file associations are set up. If a ffs_batch file were entered instead the task would return with error code 0xC1, "%1 is not a valid Win32 application".




    2. OS X Automator and Calendar:

      • Open Launchpad and run Automator.

         
      • Create a new Calendar Alarm.

         
      • Drag and drop the ffs_batch file on the workflow panel.

         
      • Drag and drop action Files & Folders/Open Finder Items and add it to the workflow.

         
      • Go to File → Save... and save the Automator job.

         
      • The Calendar app will start automatically with the Automator job scheduled to the current day. You can now select a different time for synchronization or make it a recurring task.

         


    3. Windows XP Scheduled Tasks:

      • Go to Start → Control Panel → Scheduled Tasks and select Add Scheduled Task.
      • Follow the wizard and select FreeFileSync.exe as program to run.
      • Fill the input field Run: <FreeFileSync installation folder>\FreeFileSync.exe <job name>.ffs_batch


         


    4. Ubuntu Linux Gnome Scheduled Tasks:

      • Install Gnome-schedule if necessary: sudo apt-get install gnome-schedule
      • Go to System → Preferences → Scheduled tasks
      • Enter the command: <FreeFileSync installation folder>/FreeFileSync <job name>.ffs_batch