This method will tell you which file is different (newer or older) in the two folders, which file is newly added and which file is missing. If you prefer not to install anything, you can compare two folders using a built-in robocopy command tool via Command Prompt or the new Windows Terminal in Windows 11. Tip: How to Sort Folders by Size in Windows 11 / 10 Compare two folders using Command Prompt From there you can view the differences between the two files and edit them as you wish. WinMerge will then open the selected files from the two folders and compare them in a new tab. To view the differences of a file, double-click the file in the comparison result tab. Other than just comparing the differences of the availability of files in the two folders, WinMerge also lets you view the actual differences of some supported file formats such as text files, and allows you to edit the files directly from the app. It will tell you which files are different and which file are newly added, etc.ĥ. WinMerge will then show the comparison result in a new tab. Once at least two folders are selected, click Compare to compare them.Ĥ. Alternatively, you can add a third folder to compare. You can also manually enter the path to the folder instead of browsing it. You don’t have to select any file in the folder.

Tip: When you browse, click Open when you are in the folder you want to compare. Under 1st File or Folder, click Browse and browse to the first folder you want to compare. In WinMerge window, press Ctrl + O or click File > Open.

If you download the ZIP version (portable), unzip the folder to anywhere you like and run the WinMergeU.exe from the extracted folder.ģ. If you download the installer version, run the setup and follow the on-screen instruction to install the software. We recommend to download the portable version (ZIP format) so that you don’t have to install the software.Ģ.

Below is a step-by-step guide on how to use WinMerge to compare two folders in Windows 11.ġ. WinMerge is an open source comparison and merging tool for Windows that let users compare files and folders and display the differences in a visual form that is easy to understand and manage.

Compare two folders using Windows PowerShellĬompare folders in Windows 11 with WinMerge.

Compare two folders using Command Prompt.

Compare folders in Windows 11 with WinMerge.

Winmerge compare file names only