Ghostfiles is a very simple tool for mirroring file between directories. Ghostfiles is a Windows service application that when running, hooks the file system and looks for file changes in a named source directories. Any changes to files in a source directory, or in sub-directories are automatically mirrored to the destination directory.

Specially designed for Windows NT, Windows 2000, Windows XP and Windows 2003, Ghostfiles has little or no impact on your system while looking for file changes. When a file is changed, Ghostfiles simply applies those changes to the mirrored files:

And Ghostfiles can mirror to removable media and across the network (never seen hardware do that!).

Note that Ghostfiles will create destination directories if they don't exist, removes and renames files as they are modified at source.

When should I use Ghostfiles

• The simplest use of Ghostfiles is a software 'file mirror'. File mirroring can be done by expensive hardware, but with Ghostfiles, mirroring is easy, fast and faithful.
• Another popular use of Ghostfiles is to track system changes - such as the files installed by an installation program.
• Keep 'My Documents' safe
• Mirror downloads to a backup directory

Restrictions

Ghostfiles 3 is a Windows NT, XP, 2K or 2003 product only and does not run under Windows '9x' platforms such as Windows 95 or Windows 98. It tracks file level changes if and only if the source folder and sub-folders are on the Windows NT,XP,2K or 2003 platform.

Ghostfiles won't work:

• if the source platform is not NT kernel based (NT, XP, Win2K, Win 2003). For example, it can't track changes on a Novell file system
• if replicating changes to system resources such as the recycle bin, NT hives (registry, system and user areas), resources not accessible by the user associated with the Ghostfiles service, boot sectors, etc.

New in version 3.1:

Ghostfiles 3 is a new, advanced version of the freeware Ghostfiles product, » Ghostfiles 2.

As well as running as a system service (allowing Ghostfiles to be run in the background, started with the operating system and survive network log off), Ghostfiles 3 has the following enhanced features:

• Faster file copying algorithm - During start up, Ghostfiles gathers details of the source folder. This helps Ghostfiles determine if a file copy operation is required, and if a copy takes place, Ghostfiles improves file copy performance by comparing the point where files differ. This significantly reduces the amount of disk writes performed during file replication.
• Better file notification - Ghostfiles is notified of all file changes associated with the source directory and sub-directories. However, using a queue search algorithm, Ghostfiles significantly reduces the number of file operations associated with file changes whilst ensuring truly faithful file replication.
• Improved Lazy Write - Another advance of the queue based notification, Ghostfiles 3 applies file updates after a designated delay period, without wasting precious processor time. For large files with many changes or 'spread' files such as those generated by Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel, a Lazy Write of 5 seconds or more improves the performance of Ghostfiles without impacting on the system.
• Web User Interface - You will have probably noticed this one. Using Lowrie Associates Ltd's lightweight web engine, Ghostfiles now delivers its user interface to a browser. This better suits the program as it is run as a service and maintenance should be available at any workstation on the network.
• Password Protection - Again, for the serious user, password protection has been added to Ghostfiles 3, enabling enterprises to control access to the maintenance of the product.
• Synchronise on start up - This was the most requested enhancement to the product. Now available, Ghostfiles 3 can be set to synchronise the destination folder with the source on start up.
• Email Notification on error
• Automatic recovery from error
• Full mirroring - Ghostfiles can now mirror both the source and destination, keeping your system in full synchronization.