This guide contains simplified description of synchronizing files with FTP or SFTP server with WinSCP. You may want to see detailed documentation of the process instead.

Before starting you should:

• Have WinSCP installed;
• Connect to your account on FTP/SFTP server.

Once you are connected to your account on an FTP/SFTP server, you will see the contents of the default remote directory (typically the home directory of your account) on the remote file panel.

If you want to synchronize the files in a different directory, navigate there first. If you are using the Commander interface also navigate to the local directory which you want to synchronize.

To synchronize, go to Commands > Synchronize (in the main menu). The Synchronize dialog will appear, where you can select a synchronization mode and configure options. If you are using the Explorer interface you may now select the local directory which you want to synchronize. You may also want to select:

• Synchronization direction. Select Local to apply changes in the remote directory to the local directory. Select Remote to apply changes in the local directory to the remote directory. Select Both to synchronize local and remote directories reciprocally.
• Synchronization Mode. Typically you want to use the default Synchronize files mode. But you may also want to synchronize files unconditionally with Mirror files mode.
• You may want to consider using the Delete files option. Make sure that Preview changes option is enabled, so you can confirm the changes before anything happens.

Press OK to start synchronization.

WinSCP will collect a list of the differences between the directories. Then you will be presented with the synchronization checklist1), where you can review synchronization actions. Press OK to apply them.

• Detailed documentation about synchronization;
• Guide to automating operations (including synchronization);
• Troubleshooting.