How to Sync Home Directories

Syncing software can ensure your work files are available on your home computer, and vice versa.

A user's home directory is the highest-level folder that the user has access to on a computer. If multiple users share the same computer, you can restrict each user to only the files and directories in his or her own home directory. On both Windows and Macintosh machines, a user's home directory is the folder named after the user. If you regularly use multiple computers, such as a desktop and a laptop or a Mac and a PC, you can sync your home directories so you always have access to the same files on every machine.

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Instructions

Use Windows Live Sync
- 1
  
  Register for a Windows Live ID if you do not already have one. Windows Messenger, Hotmail and Xbox LIVE users should already have a Live ID.
- 2
  
  Sign into the Windows Live website.
- 3
  
  Download and install Windows Live Mesh if you are running Windows Vista or a later operating system. Download and install Windows Live Mesh for Mac if you are running Mac OS X.
- 4
  
  Launch Windows Lives Mesh by choosing Windows Live Mesh in the Programs section of the Start menu.
- 5
  
  Choose "Sync a Folder."
- 6
  
  Click on your home folder.
- 7
  
  Click "Sync."
- 8
  
  Click "SkyDrive Synced Storage."
- 9
  
  Click "OK."
- 10
  
  Repeat Steps 3 through 9 on each additional computer.
Use Dropbox
- 11
  
  Download and install the Dropbox application from the Dropbox website.
- 12
  
  Create a new Dropbox account when prompted during the installation process.
- 13
  
  Drag the folders within your home directory, such as My Documents and My Pictures, into your new Dropbox directory.
- 14
  
  Repeat Steps 1 through 3 on all additional computers. Use the same Dropbox account credentials on additional computers instead of creating a new account.
Use SpiderOak
- 15
  
  Download and install the SpiderOak application onto your computer.
- 16
  
  Launch the SpiderOak application.
- 17
  
  Check the box next to each location within your home directory, such as Documents or Desktop, that you want to sync across machines.
- 18
  
  Repeat Steps 1 through 3 on all additional computers.

Photo Credit computer girl two image by Paul Moore from Fotolia.com

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How to Sync Home Directories

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Instructions

Use Windows Live Sync

Use Dropbox

Use SpiderOak

References

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