Second Copy is a $30 file backup and folder synchronization program that operates discreetly in your system tray, automating tasks without requiring constant user intervention. If Windows File History or other free alternatives like FBackup aren’t meeting your needs, Second Copy might be the solution.
alt Second Copy facilitates backup and synchronization, with or without standard Zip compression.
Exploring Second Copy’s Features
Second Copy offers several core functionalities: “Simple Copy” duplicates files from a source to a destination folder; “Exact Copy” (or mirroring) copies new files and removes destination files absent from the source; and both functions can be executed with Zip compression. Network locations are supported for both source and destination folders.
True synchronization is also a key feature, mirroring changes by deleting and adding files in both directories. This mirrors the functionality of cloud services like OneDrive. Additionally, a “Move” function copies files to the destination and then deletes them from the source.
The program’s interface, while visually dated, is intuitive and user-friendly. Navigating and understanding the functions is straightforward, even for users unfamiliar with backup and sync processes. The guided job creation process makes learning the basics quick and easy.
alt Second Copy previews the files to be copied, deleted, or moved.
Second Copy includes an archiving option to store older file versions in a separate directory and an overwrite option, allowing replacement of newer destination files. Caution is advised with the overwrite function, as there might be valid reasons to retain newer files.
Operating primarily from the system tray, Second Copy utilizes its own VSS service and background scheduler. Accessing the main interface for creating new jobs is as simple as clicking the system tray icon.
While Second Copy doesn’t offer real-time backup as files change, its scheduling flexibility allows backups/syncs as frequently as every minute, effectively providing near real-time functionality for most users. Unfortunately, for users seeking integration with cloud storage services like S3-compatible vendors, Dropbox, etc., Second Copy lacks this support.
Evaluating Second Copy’s Performance
When working with standard data folders, Second Copy performed flawlessly—fast and accurate. Various job types were tested using internal drives, NAS-to-NAS transfers, and external media.
alt Second Copy encountered issues with symbolic links, requiring a configuration file edit for resolution.
However, when attempting to copy the Users folder, a symbolic link (junction) referencing a deleted shadow copy caused the program to halt. Instead of copying the symbolic link, Second Copy attempted to locate the deleted shadow copy, disrupting the backup process. A workaround involves adding a “SkipLinkFiles=1” line to a configuration file, but this manual fix might not be ideal for all users.
Copying the entire Users directory is inherently complex due to Windows’ exclusive file locks, which cannot be bypassed even for copying. Most backup/sync programs handle this by skipping locked files and logging the error. Second Copy, however, requires disabling the “Show message box and retry once more” option in Edit > Options > Copy to prevent repetitive error popups. Alternatively, configuring Second Copy to skip system files can also avoid this issue.
Copying sub-directories like Documents and Pictures within the Users folder posed no problems. It’s worth noting that comprehensive system file and data backups are best handled by dedicated imaging software like R-Drive Image.
Should You Invest in Second Copy?
Despite the encountered issues, which were ultimately resolvable, Second Copy excels at its core function: backing up data folders. For this purpose, it’s an efficient and user-friendly solution with network support. The absence of cloud storage integration remains a notable drawback. If your backup needs are focused on local and network data folders, Second Copy offers a reliable and effective option.
