Solved Avoiding FreeFileSync error messages when target is not present

I'm on a Lenovo laptop. I have FreeFileSync backups that are kicked off by Windows Task Scheduler. The target for them is a USB desktop drive that stays attached full time when I'm at home. And when I travel with the laptop, the backup drives stay at home. But the FFS backups still get started by Task Scheduler and, of course, can't find the target drive, with error messages that pop up as a result. I've scraped through both Task Scheduler and FFS looking for a way to disable the error messages, cancel the run if the target can't be found, or just not start the backup. No luck for me.

Ideas, anyone?

Hi Buddy, Open FreeFileSync. In the Setings of "Compare" select "Ignore errors". Mine works.

MasterM said:

Hi Buddy, Open FreeFileSync. In the Setings of "Compare" select "Ignore errors". Mine works.

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Hmm... I'll have to let that stew for a bit.

I wish I could find a way to just avoid the run if the drive isn't connected. It would still be good to get an error if a normal run, drive connected, had a problem.

Having cake and eating it.

@Buddy

You could disable the Task in Task Scheduler when 'mobile' - see Enable/Disable Task for various options, or possibly abandon the scheduled task and switch to using FreeFileSync's RealTimeSync feature when using your desktop setup. FreeFileSync has it's own command line feature but I haven't checked whether it's possible to detect the presence/absence of a 'named' backup drive.

Thanks, @LeLibran
I was already aware I could disable the task in Scheduler. I'm trying to keep this fully automated so I don't have to remember to do stuff.

RTS isn't exactly what I need for routine, at-home backups. I don't want ongoing syncs all day long triggered by changes in the directories I'm backing up - just a few times a day on schedule. And the drive stays attached, so it won't trigger by being plugged in.

I'll look into the FFS command line options - thanks for that suggestion.

@Buddy

If you can't find anything in the command line options, it might be worthwhile contacting the developer, especially as I think I remember you mentioned earlier that you had made a donation.

Good luck.

Good idea. Yes, I've donated.

I also posted about this on the FFS forum. Got an answer that suggested that I use a BAT file to check for the drive connected. Run the FFS batch file if it is, exit if it isn't. Task Scheduler calls the BAT file. That would be a pretty clean solution. I've just got to refresh my long-dormant BAT file knowledge to figure out how to do that.