File/Folder Compare Tools
June 26, 2011 12:58 AM   Subscribe

Folder/File comparison tools for windows?

I'm looking for a tool that will compare 2 folders but the ones I've found only show which files exist in one but not the other.
I want to be able to give it 2 folders and have it output a list of files where the content is different.

I've found tools that can compare folders and files but they don't seem to do the 2 simultaneously, if you look at the folder view it shows me which files exist in one but not the other and if I click through to a file it will show me the differences but I don't want to have to go through it all one file at a time.

Basically I have a client running a wordpress site and the previous developer modified some of the wordpress files to achieve the modifications the client wanted. Now the client wants to upgrade their version of wordpress (they're still on 2.8.4) without losing all the changes.... so I need to find them.

Preferably something free or at least with a free trial so I can be sure it works.
posted by missmagenta to Computers & Internet (9 answers total) 6 users marked this as a favorite
 
Best answer: Beyond Compare is the go to tool for comparing files and folders
posted by seanyboy at 1:21 AM on June 26, 2011 [2 favorites]


Response by poster: I tried beyond compare but it doesn't seem to compare the contents of the files when it compares folders - just highlights which files don't exist in the other.
posted by missmagenta at 1:55 AM on June 26, 2011


Standard GNU diff will work fine here, and it will even give you the result as a patch you can (attempt to) apply. Windows binaries are available from the normal places (Cygwin and unxutils at least.)
posted by Rhomboid at 2:16 AM on June 26, 2011


WinMerge is another, free alternative to Beyond Compare.

Both of them will do a folder comparison and list whether the files are the same, only present in one folder or the other, or differ in content.

I only have experience using WinMerge. When you do a new comparison, you should select two folders (you can drag and drop). After it's compared them, check the menu options, because it's possible to hide certain types of comparison (e.g. Show only identical files). If you choose to compare subfolders as well, there's a nifty tree comparison view.
posted by matsho at 2:24 AM on June 26, 2011 [1 favorite]


Seconding WinMerge.

However, [insert standard "don't hack core" admonition] and I'd strongly suggest your next project be figuring out how to get rid of whatever those hacks are.
posted by Su at 5:23 AM on June 26, 2011


I've used Duplicate Cleaner for this kind of job. It's free as in beer, easy to drive and works well.
posted by flabdablet at 6:18 AM on June 26, 2011


Araxis Merge does what you're looking for. Comes with a 30 day free trial.
posted by xqwzts at 12:53 PM on June 26, 2011


WinDiff is part of the Windows SDK. It's free and will tell you when a file exists only in one folder.

See also.
posted by jeffamaphone at 12:56 PM on June 26, 2011


Beyond Compare absolutely does compare file contents when comparing folders. You may need to check the comparison options if you're not seeing that behavior.
posted by Lazlo at 12:33 AM on June 27, 2011


« Older Where can I watch the Tour de France in Portland?   |   What are these mysterious bite marks? Newer »
This thread is closed to new comments.