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Profile Settings - Comparison

Syncovery compares files by their names, sizes, and modification timestamps. There are several options to fine-tune the comparison. Certain time differences can be ignored, as they may be caused by different file systems - but only if the size is identical. In addition, you can choose what to do if the size is different, but the timestamps are identical.


So, If and only if the file sizes are identical:

Ignore 2 Second Time Differences
If this option is checked, timestamps with deviations of two seconds or less are considered identical. This is needed when synchronizing files between FAT and NTFS file systems, because FAT file systems can only store even numbers as seconds.

Ignore Exact 1 Hour Time Differences
This setting may often be useful to compensate for different computers or filesystems and how they treat daylight savings time. Sometimes, the timestamps reported by the operating system differ by exactly one hour even though they are really the same. With this option checked, this problem will be solved, and it is irrelevant whether the left or the right side of the comparison is one hour behind.

Ignore Seconds
This setting causes the program to ignore seconds when comparing the timestamps of two files. 

Ignore Timestamp Altogether
This setting should be rarely used. Files of the same size are assumed to be identical regardless of the timestamp. You should only use this setting if you know exactly why.

Never Copy, Adjust Timestamp Only
Sometimes you may have a copy of your files where the timestamps do not match. This function will adjust the destination timestamps to match the source. It works only in one-way sync scenarios. By adjusting the timstamps, you can avoid having to re-copy the files just to get the timestamps correct. However, you should only use this feature if you know that all files with the same size actually have the same content. Usually, this option is used only for a single, manual profile run, rather than using it permanently for regularly executed profiles.



When Size Is Different:
Some programs or cloud storages tend to modify the file size but keep the original timestamp when you open a file, even if you don't make any changes or save it. Here you can specify what to do with such files. The available radio buttons differ depending on whether you are configuring a one-way or two-way sync.


See also: 
Upper Part Of Dialog Box
Advanced Settings