How to Install and Configure rsync on Windows Server for Automated Backups

Environment

1. Sync target: test data

2. Server: Windows Server 2008 R2

3. Client: Windows 7 Ultimate 64‑bit

4. Server rsync version: cwRsyncServer_4.1.0_Installer.exe

5. Download links for rsync client and server: https://pan.baidu.com/s/1kHQSVEODxbtXpxxMnT1S2A (extraction code: 9q4m)

Server Installation Guide

Server Configuration

Directory Structure

Modify rsyncd.conf

use chroot = false
strict modes = false
uid = 0 # 0代表不限定用户
gid = 0
logfile = rsyncd.log
[testwin]
path = /cygdrive/d/u01/nc_backup/ # Windows backup directory needs /cygdrive prefix
ignoreerrors
readonly = false
transfer logging = yes
auth users = test_rsync # rsync virtual user
secrets file = etc/rsyncd.password # password file path
hostsallow = * # all hosts can access

Create password file

In the etc directory, create rsync.password with the content:

test_rsync:test4321

Start the service and verify the port

Client Synchronization

Run the following command from the client’s bin directory (or add it to the PATH):

rsync.exe -avz --password-file=rsync.password [email protected]::testwin /cygdrive/f/testwin_rsyncdir

Server data view

Client data after synchronization

Automate with a scheduled task

Configure a Windows scheduled task to run the rsync command periodically, achieving automatic backup to the target machine.