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Compare & Sync

Use Synchronize folders to reconcile the Left (source) and Right (target) panes. The tool is intentionally simple: pick scope, choose one-way or two-way, Compare, review the color-coded preview, then Synchronize. No extra rules or filters.

Legend:
Left → Right = copy from Left to Right
Right → Left = copy from Right to Left
X = delete on the destination side
= = no change (items are equal)

Before you begin​

  • Open the source folder in the Left file list pane and the target folder in the Right file list pane.
  • The Synchronize Folder window auto-populates Source (Left) and Target (Right) from your current panes. You can browse to change them if needed.
  • On protected paths, ensure you’ve granted access (see First-run Setup).
Synchronize Folders

Options​

  • Scan folder contents
    When enabled, the comparison is recursive (sub-folders included).
    When off, only the top level of each folder is compared.

  • Left to Right one-way sync
    When on, results will only schedule operations that make Right match Left (no Right → Left copies).
    When off, the comparison may schedule copies in either direction to reconcile differences.

Compare​

  1. Open Synchronize folders from the toolbar/menu.
  2. Confirm Source (Left) and Target (Right) (auto-populated from the panes).
  3. Set Scan folder contents and Left to Right one-way sync as needed.
  4. Click Compare.

DCommander scans the two locations and fills the Results list.

Understanding the results​

Each row shows the relative path and an Action symbol with color:

  • > — Left → Right copy (green)
  • < — Right → Left copy (blue)
  • X — Delete on the corresponding side (red)
  • = — No change; items are equal (black)
note

You cannot edit individual actions in this view. The preview reflects your two options only: Scan folder contents and Left to Right one-way sync.

Synchronize​

  • Review the results list.
  • Click Synchronize to perform the operations shown.

Progress is displayed while the sync runs. When it finishes, the folders should match according to the chosen mode.

Practical examples​

  • Mirror a working folder to a backup drive

    • Left pane: working folder; Right pane: backup destination
    • Scan folder contents: On
    • Left to Right one-way sync: On
    • Compare → Synchronize

  • Reconcile two project trees both ways

    • Left pane: laptop project; Right pane: desktop project
    • Scan folder contents: On
    • Left to Right one-way sync: Off (allow both directions)
    • Compare → Synchronize

  • Shallow cleanup at the top level only

    • Scan folder contents: Off
    • Left to Right one-way sync: On or Off as needed
    • Compare → Synchronize

Tips & caveats​

  • Start with a smaller scope first (e.g., a subfolder) before reconciling very large trees.
  • One-way sync is the safest choice when the Right side is a backup or deploy target.
  • If you expect deletes, double-check the preview: X (red) marks deletions.
  • On network shares or external drives, ensure the target is mounted and writable.

Troubleshooting​

  • Everything shows as = but I know files changed

    • Confirm you compared the intended folders (paths in the dialog). If needed, re-browse to the correct locations and Compare again.

  • I only want Left → Right, but I see < actions

    • Turn Left to Right one-way sync on and Compare again.

  • The list is too short / missing subfolders

    • Enable Scan folder contents for a recursive compare and Compare again.

  • Permission errors

    • Add the folders in Preferences → Permissions or enable Full Disk Access, then re-run Compare.