Is SyncToy still available on Windows 11? How to use SyncToy in Windows 11? If not, what’s the best SyncToy alternative for Windows 11? Keep reading for clear answers and step by step instructions!
Even though SyncToy was discontinued, many users still seek it out for Windows 11 because of its lightweight design and no-fuss workflow. However, since it’s no longer updated or officially supported, users may receive compatibility issues.
Thus, it is advisable to explore the best SyncToy alternative for Windows 11. Keep reading for details.
SyncToy is a free utility developed by Microsoft to sync files and folders between different locations, e.g., two folders on the same PC, drives, or even two computers. It’s simple to use and was originally designed to make file management easier for everyday users without complex backup software.
The key features are as follows:
Even though SyncToy was discontinued in January 2021 and officially supports up to Windows 10, some users can still download SyncToy on Windows 11 and use it by enabling .NET Framework 3.5 or using compatibility mode.
Still, users may experience permission issues, sync failure, or “folder access denied” error due to Windows security updates or restricted directories.
⚠️Some users report that SynToy prompts .NET Framework 2.0 is required. Installing .NET Framework 3.5 before downloading SyncToy resolves this issue. Go to Control Panel > Programs > Turn Windows features on or off and check .NET Framework 3.5 (includes .NET 2.0 and 3.0), click Apply > OK.
SyncToy downloads are not available on Microsoft, but you can still download SyncToy from CNET or other reliable sources. Click the green download button to start and run the installer to complete the installation process. Please be sure:
Step 1. Open SyncToy after installation. Click Create New Folder Pair.
Step 2. Click Browse under the Left and Right Folder, respectively. You need to select the files or folders you want and set the destination to save them.
Step 3. Choose a sync option, depending on your needs. Then, click Next.
Step 4. Specify a folder pair name for easy reference. Click Finish.
Step 5. Once your folder pair is created, click Preview to see what files will be synced. If everything looks correct, click Run to sync folders in Windows 11.
When it’s done, SyncToy will display a summary log showing how many files were copied, updated, or skipped.If necessary, verify the files in both folders. For convenience, you can also use Task Scheduler to run SyncToy automatically at set times.
If you’re looking for a modern, reliable alternative, AOMEI Backupper Standard is the perfect choice. It’s 100% compatible with Windows 11, 10, 8, and 7, regularly updated, and offers a wide range of powerful sync features that SyncToy lacks.
Step 1. Once installed, open AOMEI Backupper - you’ll see a simple, user-friendly interface. Click Sync in the left panel and then Basic Sync.
Step 2. Click Select Source to select the desired files or folders. Click Add Source continue adding. Then, click the PC icon to select the destination. The following 3 options are available:
⚠️Note: To select files or folders on a different computer, network share, or NAS, click Share/NAS > Add NAS or Add Network Share after clicking Select Source.
Step 3. (Important). Click Schedule Sync and enable it. Then, select Daily, Weekly, Daily (By interval), etc. from the drop-down menu, ensuring the tasks are executed automatically. Click Start Sync to sync folders in Windows 11.
⚠️Note: Basic Sync offers users hourly sync at most. For real-time sync, or other specific needs (e.g., mirror folder for exact copy, sync changed files between source and destination), you need to upgrade to the advanced edition before using it.
While SyncToy can still run on Windows 11 with some tweaks, it’s an outdated and unreliable tool that may cause sync errors or compatibility issues. Its lack of updates and limited features make it less ideal for modern systems and large data transfers.
For a stable, secure, and feature-rich alternative, AOMEI Backupper is the clear winner. It offers fast sync speeds, multiple sync modes, full Windows 11 compatibility, and automatic sync -everything SyncToy lacks.
Free download it for smooth, worry-free file sync!