[Synchronize Dirs] File Deletion Behaviour

[alxwz]

I'm trying to regularly mirror a partition to an external one with TC's 'Synchronize Dirs' tool.

When synchronizing two drives (or directory trees) in asymmetric mode, files to be deleted on the target aren't really deleted, but moved to the recycle bin instead. This is wrong, IMO, because over time, there will be a huge amount of (unwanted) files in the recycle bin, wasting lots of disk space (e.g., on every synchronization run, I have thousands of to-be-deleted files on the target).

This seems to depend on the options setting "F8/Del deletes to recycle bin", as with this option unchecked, the target files seem to be deleted immediately. However, this is still wrong (IMO), as i want to have this mode (with recycle bin) in normal operation (as in Explorer), just not when synchronizing/mirroring.

I also noticed that the "Delete left/right/on both sides" of the 'normal' sync mode acts the same way, which I also consider uncommon for a sync tool.

I presume that, whenever someone wants to mirror a directory tree (wich probably is the main use for 'asymmetric' syncronization) or just synchronize it, he'll usually want to have the superfluous files deleted for good, not moved to the trash. OTOH, most people probably want to keep the recycle bin for general operation.

So I would like to strongly suggest to change the file deletion behaviour and default to immediate deletion, irrespective of the 'F8/Del' setting in the program options. At least for 'asymmetric' (mirroring) mode, but preferrably for all synchronizations. Using the recycle bin may or may not be made an additional option, but it should at least be separate from the general option for file deletions in other cases.

I don't know whether this behaviour is the same in the older 'final' release, as I only use v. 7.50 beta 6 for synchronisation (due to its ability to sync empty directories), or in later betas, but I see no indication for that.

[HolgerK]

Doesn't it work as you expected, if you hold down the <Shift> modifier while selecting the delete menu or pressing the [Synchronize] button?

Regards
Holger

[alxwz]

Thanks for the answer.

Yes for the file deletion menu, 'shift' does delete the file directly.
For the 'Synchronize' button, no. But when I hold 'shift' when confirming the next screen (with deletions checked), it does delete immediately as well.

However, I still regard this as both inconvenient and uncommon/unexpected for a file synchronization tool and suggest it should be changed or given an extra option.

[Robert Borkowski]

I've just discovered that in order to delete files directly (omitting the Recycle Bin) in synchronization window you have to hold down Shift while clicking on Yes in "Confirm delete" window.
This is different from Total Commander panels mode (and Windows Explorer as well) where you have to hold down Shift when pressing Delete/F8 button or choosing "Delete" from popup menu and state of Shift key doesn't matter anymore when choosing Yes in confirmation dialog.

I suggest changing that behavior so that it would be enough to just hold down Shift when choosing "Delete right" or "Delete left" from the pop-up menu.

[Robert Borkowski]

I'm sorry. I must have skipped last message by alxwz and just repeated what he already said.