How to setup Syncthing on Windows?

Download Syncthing from the official website. Choose the Windows (64-bit) version.

Extract the downloaded ZIP file to a permanent location (like C:\Syncthing). This folder will contain syncthing.exe.

Step 1: Run Syncthing

Open Command Prompt or PowerShell, navigate to the folder where you extracted Syncthing:

cd C:\Syncthing
.\syncthing.exe

The first time you run it, Windows Firewall will ask for permissions—allow access for both private and public networks.

Syncthing will now open in your browser at:

http://localhost:8384

This is the Syncthing Web UI.

Step 2: Set Syncthing to Start Automatically

To run Syncthing at login:

Press Win + R, type:

shell:startup

Copy a shortcut to syncthing.exe into this folder.

Now Syncthing will launch every time you log in.

Step 3: Add a Folder to Sync

In the Web UI:

• Click “Add Folder”
  

• Set a Folder Label and a Folder Path

• Click “Save”

Syncthing will start indexing the folder immediately.

Step 4: Connect Another Device

On both devices:

• Go to the “Actions” menu → “Show ID”

• Copy the device ID

Then on one device:

• Click “Add Remote Device”

• Paste the other device’s ID

• Optionally, give it a name and share folders

After both devices accept each other, the folders will start syncing automatically.

Step 5: Optional – Install Syncthing as a Windows Service

To run Syncthing without user login, use nssm (the Non-Sucking Service Manager):

Download nssm.exe from https://nssm.cc and run:

nssm install syncthing

In the GUI:

• Path: C:\Syncthing\syncthing.exe

• Set startup directory and log files if needed

Click Install service, then start it from services.msc.