Syncthing Syncthing is a continuous file synchronization program. It synchronizes files between two or more computers in real-time, using TLS encryption.

Syncthing can be run as a Windows service using FireDaemon Pro. This allows you to start and run the application automatically when Windows boots and before login. FireDaemon Pro also allows you to start multiple instances of the server, monitoring them and automatically restarting those instances in the event they crash. FireDaemon Fusion can also be used to manage your Syncthing service, plus other Windows services via your web browser.

Syncthing Setup Under FireDaemon Pro

Please follow the steps below to set up a Syncthing as a Windows service with FireDaemon Pro

Step 1: Download and Install Syncthing

1. Download the latest Windows version from here. For the purposes of this guide, we will be using the Windows x64 version.
2. Extract the contents to a directory such as "C:\Syncthing".
3. Run the Syncthing.exe file included in the directory. There is no installer; instead, the .exe file starts the browser GUI as well as a console. Configure Syncthing to suit your preferences, such as adding remote machines. The Syncthing Getting Started guide explains more on setup

Step 2: Set Up Syncthing as a FireDaemon Pro Service

Download and install FireDaemon Pro. Double click the FireDaemon Pro icon on your desktop, then click on the New (i.e. +) button in the toolbar (or type Ctrl + N) to create a new service. Enter the information into the fields as you see below. Adjust the path names to suit your installation. Note the required parameters.

Next, click on the FireDaemon Pro Settings tab:

Enter appropriate values in the fields on the Settings tab as follows:

• (Required) Job Type: You must set job type to "Global Job". If you do not set the job type to "Global Job", "syncthing.exe" will be orphaned when the service is stopped or restarted.
• (Required) Logon Account: Enter the Windows account under which the application is to be run, e.g. the current administrator account.
• Password / Confirm Password:  Enter the logon account's password twice.
• (Optional) Interact with Desktop: If this setting is enabled (default), the application's output messages can be seen in the console window on Windows Session 0. To switch to Session 0, it may be necessary to install FireDaemon Zero and ZeroInput. Alternatively, this setting may be disabled, in which case the application's messages will be hidden.
• (Optional) Priority: To allocate more CPU time to the application, select a higher scheduling priority in this field.
• (Optional) CPU Bindings: To run the application on a specific CPU, specify the appropriate CPU in this field.

Next, click on the Lifecycle tab. Set Shutdown By to Forceful Termination and check "Console Application".

Lastly, click the Save and Close (ie. the tick) button on the toolbar. If the service's Startup Type is set to Automatic or Automatic (Delayed-Start), it will start immediately.

If the service's Interact with Desktop setting is enabled, the Syncthing status can also be verified by switching to Windows Session 0 to view the Syncthing's messages.