How to Set Up and Use Rsync for File Synchronization Between Linux and Windows via WSL

Rsync (Remote Synchronization) is a command-line utility designed for synchronizing files and directories across different storage systems. Unlike regular copying, Rsync transfers only the modified data, saving both time and bandwidth.

Benefits of Using Rsync in WSL

→ Transfers only modified files, reducing data transfer volume.
→ Synchronizes data between operating systems.
→ Supports automation via scripts and CRON jobs, eliminating the need for manual execution.

Prerequisites

To get started, you need a computer running Windows 10 or 11 with WSL support. Note that for WSL to work, hardware virtualization must be enabled in your PC’s BIOS. Without this, you won’t be able to install WSL.

Installing and Configuring WSL

Run the following command in PowerShell with administrator privileges:

wsl --install

Installing Rsync in WSL

To install Rsync, run the following commands:

sudo apt update  
sudo apt install rsync  

Configuring SSH in WSL

For Rsync to work over the network, SSH is required. Install and activate the OpenSSH Server with the following commands:

sudo apt install openssh-server  
sudo service ssh start  
sudo systemctl enable ssh  

Synchronizing Data Between Operating Systems

In WSL, Windows drives are mounted under /mnt/. For example, the C: drive is accessible at /mnt/c/.
To synchronize files from the /home/user/project/ directory to the Windows folder C:\backup, use the command:

rsync -avz /home/user/project/ /mnt/c/backup/

To synchronize in the opposite direction (from C:\backup to /home/user/project/), use:

rsync -avz /mnt/c/backup/ /home/user/project/

Automating the Synchronization Process

If you need regular synchronization, you can create a simple Bash script:
1. Create a new file:

nano sync.sh

2. Copy the following code into the file:

 #!/bin/bash
rsync -avz /home/user/project/ /mnt/c/backup/

3. Save the file (Ctrl + X → Y → Enter).
4. Make it executable:

chmod +x sync.sh

5. Run it manually when needed:

 ./sync.sh

Setting Up Automatic Execution with CRON

To schedule the script to run automatically (e.g., every day at 2:00 AM), execute:

crontab -e

Then add the following line:

0 2 * * * /home/user/sync.sh

This ensures the script runs daily without user intervention.

Conclusion

With this setup, you can quickly transfer files between systems, automate backups and synchronization, and save time by transferring only modified data.

Now that you've mastered installing WSL, configuring Rsync and SSH, and automating the process, you can significantly simplify file management and reduce manual effort.