Installing ssh and rsync on a Windows machine

What is RSYNC?

RSYNC is a program for copying files between networked computers. It is "special" because if the same file already exists, it copies only the differences between the files, therefore saving network traffic. Thus, you can make a mirror copy of a hard drive, and keep the two copies identical over a modem link.

For a more up-to-date solution, with client and server, try cwRsync

For more information, look at:

rsync for minimalists by R. Scholten
More info on building rsync for Windows by R. Scholten
rsync home page
rsync 2.4.1 man page
rsyncd.conf 2.4.1 man page
rsync tutorial by Lachlan Cranswick
rsync on NT by Mike Henry
Compiling rsync for windows 95 by Anthony Wesley.
cygwin home page

There are two ways to approach the installation of rsync and ssh on a Windows PC. If you are interested in a simple, rsync-only, fit-on-a-floppy version, go to my rsync for minimalists page.

If you want to work in a Unix-like environment, compile your own rsync or ssh, and do many other things, you might as well install cygwin properly. Cygwin now includes openssh and rsync as options. This is the best option, but it's hard to do it with less than 30MB. Go to the cygwin home pageand click on the "Install" icon.

Created: 5 January 2000
Updated: 21 April 2001
Maintainer: Robert Scholten, School of Physics, Email: r.scholten at physics.unimelb.edu.au
Authorised by: Robert Scholten, School of Physics, Email: r.scholten at physics.unimelb.edu.au
This page, its contents and style, are the responsibility of the author and do not represent the views, policies or opinions of The University of Melbourne.