Rsync Between Two Windows Server for Data Sync and Backup

What Is Rsync?

Rsync (Remote Sync) is a Linux/Unix-based tool. It can synchronize files between Servers or simply move files between Servers without using FTP (File Transfer Protocol). It allows you to efficiently copy and synchronize files and directories between two locations, either locally or over a network. Rsync works by transferring only the differences between the source and destination files, which makes it fast and efficient, especially for large datasets.

Can You Use Rsync between Two Windows Servers?

Although Rsync is a Linux-based tool, many Windows users want to use Rsync between two Windows Servers as well. You can achieve the goal by running the Rsync command.

If you would like to run Linux commands on a Windows system, you need to do some preparation work first. By the way, it may be a little bit complicated. The following section will explain how to do this in detail.

If you are looking for an easier way to synchronize remotely, you can use the Rsync alternative to help you.

Benefits of Using Rsync for Windows Servers

Before diving into the technical details, it’s important to understand why using Rsync between two Windows servers can be beneficial:

• Efficient Bandwidth Usage: Rsync only transfers changed files, saving bandwidth during synchronization.
• Automated Syncing: Set up scheduled tasks to ensure constant file updates across servers.
• Cross-platform Compatibility: While Rsync is typically Unix-based, it can be modified for use on Windows servers with third-party solutions.

How to Use Rsync between Two Windows Servers

Rsync is a fast and versatile command-line utility for synchronizing files and directories between two locations over a remote shell.

To run Linux commands on Windows, you can install a tool on your computer called Windows Subsystem for Linux. It allows you to run the Linux distribution in command line mode. You can follow the steps below.

Step 1. Follow this WSL Installation Guide provided by Microsoft to install Windows Subsystem for Linux on your Windows Server computer. And you’ll see 2 options:

• For the Simplified install: You just need to run wsl--install as an administrator in a command window and restart your computer to use WSL, but to use this method you need to join the Windows Insiders Program and install the appropriate preview version of the system.
• For the Manual install: Manual installation is a little more complicated, first, you need to enter this command in PowerShell as an administrator.

dism.exe /online /enable-feature /featurename:Microsoft-Windows-Subsystem-Linux /all /norestart

Then you can update to WSL 2 or continue using WSL 1. For the latter, you can now select a Linux distribution in Microsoft Store.

Step 2. When the WSL and Linux distribution has been set up. To install and use Rsync on Windows Server, you need to install Git for Windows, which allows you to run the Rsync command with Git Bash.

Step 3. Then, you can install Rsync on Windows Server. Download Rsync, use 7-zip to extract it, and move rsync.exe to C:\Program Files\Git\usr\bin.

Step 4. After installation, you can follow the command below to copy and sync files in different situations.

• To copy based on file type, run the command below:

rsync /home/jon/Desktop/data/*.jpg /home/jon/Desktop/backupdata/

• To copy based on file size, excute the command below:

rsync --max-size=2k /home/jon/Desktop/data/ /home/jon/Desktop/backupdata/

• To copy entire folders by follow the command below:

rsync --recursive /home/jon/Desktop/data /home/jon/Desktop/data2

Best Rsync Alternative to Sync Files between Two Windows Servers (Recommended)

For most users, running the Linux command line on Windows Server is very complicated, and easy to make mistakes. If you are worried about data loss, you can use the best Rsyn alternative - AOMEI Backupper Server to sync files between two Windows Servers. It can help you sync local files and network files in simple steps and you can enjoy the following advantages.

📌Complete sync solutions: You can synchronize data between source and destination using various methods such as Basic Sync, Mirror Sync, Real-Time Sync, or Two-Way Sync to meet your specific needs.
📌Scheduled synchronization: You can automate synchronization tasks by scheduling them to run daily, weekly, monthly, or based on specific events like USB plug-ins or system triggers, ensuring your data stays updated without manual intervention.
📌Multiple storage options: Sync files across a wide range of storage solutions, including internal and external drives, USB devices, network storage, or cloud services, giving you flexibility and additional layers of protection for your backups.

Before you start the sync between two Windows Servers, you need to do some preparation work.

• Make sure the two Windows Server computers are in the same network location.
• Create a shared folder on the server computer where you want to sync files and set full permission for everyone.

• Download the best Rsync alternative AOMEI Backupper Server and install it on the first server computer. You can use it on Windows Server 2022, 2019, 2016, 2012, 2011, 2008, etc and Windows 11, 10, 8, 7, XP, Vista.

Now you can follow the graphic tutorial below to sync between two Windows Servers.

Step 1. Open the AOMEI Backupper Server and click Sync > Basic Sync.

Step 2. Then click Add Files or Add Folders to select all the data you want to sync on the local server. 

Step 3. Click where the arrow point > Add Share or NAS Device, and input the network path of another server computer.  Select a shared folder in the following window and click OK. 

Step 4. Confirm all your operations and click Start Sync to sync between two Windows Servers. To sync files between two Windows Servers automatically, before that, click Schedule Sync and select Daily, Weekly, Monthly, Event triggers, and USB Plugin.

Note that the Basic Sync is the basis of all the sync methods, by default, it will not sync deleted files if you don't set it manually. And based on it, this software provides you with 3 advanced methods in the following: 

• Real-Time Sync:  It offers the fastest sync frequency among all the sync methods and syncs files in real-time.
• Mirror Sync: It mirrors folders from source to destination and ensures your data is always safe in the destination path.  Since no one can modify or delete files in it as well as add other files to it. 
• Two-Way Sync: Any changes made to the first Server directory or second Server directory will be synchronized to the other side.

💛 Bonus tip: backup server files to AOMEI Cloud

There is a growing trend to backup files to cloud storage. You can backup files to AOMEI Cloud if you have an AOMEI account. You'll get 1TB free storage for 15 days after you sign up for an AOMEI account.

FAQs About Rsync Between Two Windows Servers

Q 1: Can Rsync be used for real-time synchronization between Windows servers?

A 1: While Rsync itself doesn’t support real-time syncing natively, you can set up scheduled jobs to run frequently, simulating near real-time syncs. Alternatively, tools like AOMEI Backupper offer true real-time synchronization for Windows servers.

Q 2: Does Rsync on Windows require administrator privileges?

A 2: Yes, you will need administrative access to install and configure Rsync tools like Cygwin or DeltaCopy on your Windows servers. These tools require the ability to modify system files and run tasks that can communicate across networks.

Q 3: How does Rsync differ from traditional file copy methods on Windows?

A 3: Traditional file copy methods on Windows (like robocopy or xcopy) copy all files, even if they haven't changed. Rsync, on the other hand, only copies the differences, making it more bandwidth-efficient and faster when syncing large datasets.

Technical Terms You Need to Know

1. SSH (Secure Shell): A cryptographic network protocol used to securely access and control remote servers. Essential for secure data transfer during Rsync operations between two servers.

2. Delta Copy: A method that Rsync employs to transfer only the changed portions of files, rather than the entire file. This greatly reduces the amount of data transferred, making it more efficient.

3. Mirror Sync: A synchronization process where the destination server is an exact replica of the source server. Any changes, deletions, or updates on the source will be reflected on the destination during sync.

3  Tips for Rsync Between Two Windows Servers

Choose the Right Rsync Tool: While Rsync is powerful, using Windows-compatible versions like DeltaCopy or Cygwin will ensure the process runs smoothly. If you need a graphical interface, AOMEI Backupper is a perfect choice.
Test Before Automating: Always run a manual Rsync job or sync process before scheduling regular syncs to ensure there are no errors or misconfigurations in your setup.
Monitor Bandwidth Usage: Keep an eye on bandwidth usage, especially for large datasets. Rsync can reduce bandwidth consumption by only transferring changed files, but scheduling syncs during off-peak hours may further improve efficiency.

Summary

Syncing files with Rsync is an effective way to protect data and promote work efficiency. This article shows you how to use Rsync between two Windows Servers. You need to run the Rsync command in Windows, which is very complicated for most users.

For an easier way, you can use the best Rsync alternative tool AOMEI Backupper Server to help you. It not only can easily meet your need to sync files in the Windows system but also provides multiple synchronization methods. You can also set fixed intervals to do the automatic synchronization. To protect unlimited PCs and servers, try AOMEI Backupper Techplus.