Enable SugarSync to Sync External USB and Network Drives

SugarSync is one of the popular cloud service which actively performs files backup to the remote cloud storage and syncs the files across computers and other devices for access and sharing from a variety of operating systems, such as Windows, Mac OS X, iOS, Android, Windows Mobile, Samsung SmartTV, BlackBerry OS, and Symbian devices.

One of the major advantage of SugarSync is its ability to decide which folders that user want to sync and save to the cloud, instead of having to store the files to sync and backup to the cloud in a specific folder or ‘box’ only. In other words, SugarSync provides great flexibility to users to sync and backup any folders on the local computer to the cloud storage, allowing them to put the files anywhere, without restricting to just one location.

Unfortunately, despite the flexibility of SugarSync, the sync and backup from anywhere feature does have some limitation. It’s currently restricted to local hard disk drives only. SugarSync client simply does not present any folders from USB portable drives, USB flash drives and remote network locations for selection to add to SugarSync. Which means that you’re out of luck if you attempt to backup and sync files and documents from USB drives and network drives.

But for people who has most of the important files stored in USB drives, mapped drives or network drives, there is still a hack that allows those locations to be added to SugarSync and files uploaded to the SugarSync. The trick is to just the junction point which links Follow the trick below to do so:

1. Create a folder in local hard disk drive (e.g. FolderSync) which to be linked to the USB drive or network drive.
2. In SugarSync client program (previously known as SugarSync Manager), add the local folder as a folder to sync to the cloud.
3. After the new local folder is added and synced to the cloud, exit from the SugarSync client program by right click on SugarSync icon in the notification area / system tray, and choose Exit.

   

4. Delete new local folder (e.g. FolderSync) which is now synced with SugarSync.
5. Open a Command Prompt window, and change directory to the parent directory of which the local folder synced to SugarSync was previously located by using the ‘cd’ command.

   For example, if the ‘FolderSync’ is created in Documents folder, which is located under ‘\Users\User Name\Documents\’, then use the following command:

   CD C:\Users\User Name\Documents

   Replace ‘User Name’ with that actual name in the path.

6. Use the ‘mklink’ command with the following syntax to create a Junction Point symbolic link from the local folder to folder in USB drive or remote location that wants to be synced with SugarSync:

   MKLINK /J Link Target< For example: mklink /J FolderSync Z:\FolderSync

   Of course, replace the name of the folders and paths with the actual names you’re using.

   

   [box title=”Important” color=”#fbf237″]Make sure the name of the Junction Point (symbolic link) is exactly the same with the name of the folder which has been synced by SugarSync and then deleted.[/box]
7. Make sure that the Junction Point actually works and points to correct destination folder.
8. Now, restart the SugarSync app again.
9. SugarSync should automatically start to sync the content inside the linked folder which actually located in a USB drive or network drive.