Question : Problem: What are the limitations of XP Offline Synchronization versus Backup software?

An advantage of backup software is that it can compress (and sometimes encrypt) files being backed up.  But if I want to use a peer server folder or a NAS device and don't care about compression, could I use XP's "Offline Synchronization" instead of 'formal' backup/restore software to achieve the same goal:  a complete copy of files on a different drive (to protect against a crash)?  Normally Offline Synchronization kicks in on network logon/logoff, but I think it can also be run on a regular basis via the Task Scheduler.  Will Offline Synchronization get the job done, especially if I want unencrypted / uncompressed copies of the files on the shared storage?

Answer : Problem: What are the limitations of XP Offline Synchronization versus Backup software?

I agree. A free MS solution is SyncToy

SyncToy v2.0 Sync Toy v2.0 synch toy
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=C26EFA36-98E0-4EE9-A7C5-98D0592D8C52&displaylang=en


I hope this helps !