How to Use Rsync to Sync Files Between Linux and Windows

Synchronizing files between Linux and Windows can seem challenging, especially if you are not familiar with the available tools. However, with the Windows Linux Subsystem (WSL) , this process becomes much easier.

WSL allows you to run a Linux environment directly on Windows , allowing you to synchronize files between two operating systems using powerful Linux tools such as Rsync.

This article walks you through the entire process of syncing files between Linux and Windows using Rsync over WSL . We'll cover everything from setting up WSL to writing scripts for automatic synchronization.

Ultimately, you will have a clear understanding of how to manage file synchronization efficiently between these platforms.

What is Rsync?

Rsync (on behalf of " remote synchronization ") is a command line tool for syncing files and directories between two locations, and it is very efficient because it only transfers changes made to the file, rather than copying everything every time, making it great for syncing large files or large numbers of files.

Why use Rsync with WSL?

• WSL allows you to run Linux commands and tools directly on Windows, making Rsync easier.
• Rsync only transfers differences between files, saving time and bandwidth.
• You can easily synchronize files between Linux and Windows machines.
• Rsync can be automated using scripts, making it ideal for regular backup or synchronization tasks.

Prerequisites

Before you start, make sure you have the following:

• WSL supports Windows 10 and 11 versions.
• You need to install and set up WSL on your Windows machine.
• Install a Linux distribution (for example, Ubuntu ) from the Microsoft Store.
• Linux distributions usually have Rsync pre-installed, but if not, we'll cover how to install it.
• Rsync uses SSH to securely transfer files between systems.

Step 1: Install and Set Up WSL

If you have not installed WSL , open PowerShell as an administrator (press Win X and select " Windows PowerShell (Admin) " or " Command Prompt (Admin) ") and run the following command to install WSL .

 <code>wsl --install</code>

This command will install WSL and the default Linux distribution (usually Ubuntu ). After the installation is complete, restart the computer to complete the setup.

After the computer restarts, open the installed Linux distribution (for example, Ubuntu ) from the Start menu. Follow the on-screen instructions to create a user account and set a password.

Step 2: Install Rsync on WSL

Most Linux distributions usually have Rsync pre-installed. However, if it is not installed, you can install it using the following command.

 <code>sudo apt update sudo apt install rsync rsync --version</code>

This should show the installed version of Rsync .

Step 3: Set up SSH on WSL

To enable SSH on WSL , you need to install an OpenSSH server.

 <code>sudo apt install openssh-server</code>

Next, start and enable the SSH service so that it starts automatically every time WSL is started.

 <code>sudo service ssh start sudo systemctl enable ssh</code>

Verify that the SSH service is running.

 <code>sudo service ssh status</code>

Step 4: Synchronize files from Linux (WSL) to Windows

Now that Rsync and SSH are set up, you can start syncing files. Suppose you want to sync files from a WSL environment to a directory on your Windows machine.

Start your Linux distribution (for example, Ubuntu ) and recognize the Windows directory, which is usually installed under /mnt/ . For example, your C: drive is located in /mnt/c/ .

Now run the following command to sync files from your WSL directory to your Windows directory:

 <code>rsync -avz /path/to/source/ /mnt/c/path/to/destination/</code>

Command description:

• -a : Archive mode (Permissions, timestamps and symbolic links are reserved).
• -v : Detailed mode (provided detailed output).
• -z : Compress data during transmission.
• /path/to/source/ : The directory in the WSL environment you want to synchronize.
• /mnt/c/path/to/destination/ : The directory on the Windows machine you want to sync files.

Step 5: Synchronize files from Windows to Linux (WSL)

If you want to sync files from a Windows directory to a WSL environment, you can use a similar command:

 <code>rsync -avz /mnt/c/path/to/source/ /path/to/destination/</code>

Command description:

• /mnt/c/path/to/source/ : The directory on the Windows machine you want to synchronize.
• /path/to/destination/ : The directory in the WSL environment where you want to synchronize the files.

Step 6: Use scripts to automate synchronization

To make synchronization easier, you can create a bash script to automate this process.

 <code>nano sync.sh</code>

Add the following lines to the script:

 <code>#!/bin/bash rsync -avz /path/to/source/ /mnt/c/path/to/destination/</code>

Save the file and make the script executable:

 <code>chmod x sync.sh</code>

Execute the script to synchronize the file.

 <code>./sync.sh</code>

You can use cron to schedule scripts to run at specific intervals. For example, to run a script at 2 a.m. every day, add the following line to your crontab:

 <code>0 2 * * * /path/to/sync.sh</code>

in conclusion

Using Rsync with WSL is a powerful and efficient way to synchronize files between Linux and Windows . By following the steps outlined in this article, you can easily set up Rsync , configure SSH , and automate file synchronization.

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