I’ve been using the beta version of SyncToy for a few weeks. The final version is now released. This white paper explains how it works:
SyncToy is a free PowerToy for Microsoft Windows XP that provides an easy to use, highly customizable program to help copy, move, and synchronize different directories. Most common operations can be performed with just a few clicks of the mouse, and additional customization is available without adding complexity. SyncToy can manage multiple sets of directories at the same time; it can combine files from two folders in one case, and mimic renames and deletes in another. Unlike other applications, SyncToy keeps track of renames to files and will make sure those changes get carried over to the synchronized folder.
It also includes a download link.This is a marvelous little program, and it’s free. Ironically, Walt Mossberg in tomorrow’s Wall Street Journal reviews some commercial products that perform similar functions. If you need a PC-to-Mac solution, one of those alternatives might make sense; otherwise, SyncToy should do the trick.
Update: As Hubert Kay points out in the comments, the programs that Walt reviews also include online services and are primarily intended for synchronizing folders over the Internet. They typically cost up to $100 a year. If you need to sync files on machines that aren’t part of the same network and you’re willing to pay that price, read his review. For synchronizing files between two or more computers on your own network, though, the free SyncToy is a better choice, IMO.
Ed Bott 
It does have a big let down in that it hasn’t got a good autoSyncing story like something like Allway Sync (also free for personal use). Check out my review here.
TIA
Molly
Walt’s review deals with tools that sync files between different computers across the Internet. SyncToy doesn’t do that.
Molly, I looked at Allway Sync a while back and found it way too difficult to use. It may have improved since then, so I’ll take another look. Meanwhile, you should do the same with SyncToy. The ability to automate a sync operation was one of the specific changes Microsoft made between the first release (which you reviewed) and the final release.
Hubert, that’s a good point and I’ll update the post to reflect your observation.
Hi Ed,
Downloaded it and had a quick look and couldn’t see an easy optin for the scheduled/auto syncing (I didn’t uninstall the beta so there could be a problem with this)? Do you mean the help topic on scheduling?
If you do, your going to wet yourself when you see the options in the current version of Allway Sync. Also I didn’t find the interface that tricky, although I would conceed that the SyncToy is a more intitive interface, but the Allway one is rather simple once you find the options menu.
TIA
Molly
Yes, the Help topic was added to make auto-syncing more discoverable. I don’t find it all that difficult to set up a scheduled task, but it sounds like I should take another look at Allway Sync. Thanks for the pointer.
Hey Ed,
Did you have another look at Allway Sync?
What did you think?
Molly
Ed, So what is the verdic on your “second look” on Allway Sync? Please keep the saga continue…Cuong
What are the command line arguments to use with SyncToy from Microsoft? I have searched and can not find any reference. The white paper does not mention that there are. If you could share with me the syntx or switches greatly appreciate.