How to sync directory symbolic link with Google Backup and Sync? (or how to sync files that aren't in the sync folder?)
Ok so the trick is with which one is the link, and which one is the true folder. Google Drive does not sync the link, it syncs the true folder. So you need to reverse the order. I have not tried it with /D but using /J works fine. So these changes applied to your original method as shown below should work:
mklink /J "C:\Users\Me\AppData\Roaming\Notepad++" "C:\Users\Me\Desktop\google\Notepad++"
This is a bit annoying and dangerous, as if your folder in Google Drive is deleted, the files on your computer disappear as well. So accidentally deleting the folder in Google Drive from another location makes the link point to nothing, completely wiping the original data.
It could also cause trouble for other programs that have trouble working with symbolic locations.
If you are willing to ditch Google Drive, Dropbox works with what you proposed initially.
I think that Google Backup and Sync does not follow symbolic links, so another solution is required.
My idea is that, instead of syncing via Google Backup and Sync, to use a product that can make your Google Drive directly accessible from the computer, then use any other sync product to sync your folders.
The products that might be a solution are (you will need to test and see) :
- Storage Made Easy as explained in this answer (seems to be free)
- Boxcryptor (the limited free version might be enough, and it also encrypts your files)
- WebDrive ($39.95)
- Insync (15 days trial)
Once you have direct access to your Google Drive, you only need a sync product that matches you needs. Here are some suggestions :
- The Windows robocopy
- The old but useful Microsoft SyncToy
- Any other utility - see this article and its comments : Best Free Folder Synchronization Utility
To sync directory symbolic links with Google drive, I ended up using rclone with this command:
rclone sync "C:\Users\Me\Desktop\google\Notepad++" "myremote":"folder" --copy-links
While it doesn't answer my question about Google Backup and Sync, I am satisfied because I can keep my Google Drive and my symbolic links.
You can mount a VHD file inside the Google Backup & Sync folder. This will not work for system folders, but for any other personal content it is just fine. It is possible to overcome small C:\ SSD size limitations too, as you may create as many VHD files as needed in big HDD drives.
use this steps to create your VHD in Disk Management: https://serverfault.com/questions/74750/how-to-create-a-vhd-file-from-a-folder
Then choose "Mount to existing folder" instead of mapping the VHD to a new drive letter. Google Backup & Sync will read it as a regular folder.
rgds