SIMPLE HELP NEEDED: How To Check Two Folders Contain Identical Files?

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  1. Posts : 696
    Windows 10
       #1

    SIMPLE HELP NEEDED: How To Check Two Folders Contain Identical Files?


    Hi all,

    This is a simple question, but it's something I seriously need help with!

    How can I compare two folders on my C:\ Drive to make 100% sure they both contain the identical files?

    I'm just worried that there may be a few files that are different...

    Thank you.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 18,044
    Win 10 Pro 64-bit v1909 - Build 18363 Custom ISO Install
       #2

    Hello @NiceAndShy,

    NiceAndShy said:
    This is a simple question, but it's something I seriously need help with!

    How can I compare two folders on my C:\ Drive to make 100% sure they both contain the identical files?

    I'm just worried that there may be a few files that are different...

    You could open TWO File Explorers and have them fill half the screen each [ side by side ], then navigate to the required folder and perform the comparison.

    I hope this helps.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 6,741
    22H2 64 Bit Pro
       #3

    Or consider WinMerge Portable. It should show any differences.

    Download WinMerge - WinMerge
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 1,217
    W10-Pro 22H2
       #4

    I have been using the old Windiff to compare files for years, and wondered if it could do this: yes it can! Here is one source of info, but it can be found in many places.

    I am apparently using v5, dated 2003 !

    update: if you decide to try it, I find the easiest way to use it is to select two files (or folders) and 'send to' Windiff, having put a shortcut to it in my 'send to' folder.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 706
    W10
       #5

    FreeFileSync does the job.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 16,713
    Windows 10 Home x64 Version 22H2 Build 19045.4170
       #6

    Backup both folders first.

    Drag the contents of one folder and drop it on the other.
    - Files that are not in the target folder will get copied across,
    - Files that are already there will prompt a dialog
    SIMPLE HELP NEEDED: How To Check Two Folders Contain Identical Files?-copyfiles-dialog.png

    If you select Compare info for … then you'll see an option at the bottom to
    Skip … files with the same date & size
    so check it is selected then deal with the list of same-named files in the top of the dialog before and clicking on Continue.
    SIMPLE HELP NEEDED: How To Check Two Folders Contain Identical Files?-skip-files.png

    The target folder will now have everything, subject of course to the decisions you made during the copy.

    You could also, if there was some particular reason, repeat the procedure the other way around.

    Denis
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 7,861
    Windows 11 Pro 64 bit
       #7

    I just use Explorer to compare the number of files and folder size
      My Computers


  8. Posts : 22,929
    Win 10 Home ♦♦♦19045.4170 (x64) [22H2]
       #8

    NiceAndShy said:
    Hi all,

    This is a simple question, but it's something I seriously need help with!

    How can I compare two folders on my C:\ Drive to make 100% sure they both contain the identical files?

    I'm just worried that there may be a few files that are different...

    Thank you.

    IF you "know" one of the folders has everything in there, that you want in there... you can use Karen's Replicator to make the other folder identical.
    Let's say folder A is the way you want both folders. Using Replicator you can cause folder B to exactly duplicate folder A.
    Do whatever you want in folder A... edit a text file, delete a file, add a file, etc., then just run Karen's Replicator and it will make folder B the... same.

    It's especially helpful with very large folders, or disks or partitions.

    For example... I have a 4TB hard drive that I save things to...it's my "working" drive.
    I also have an 8TB drive that I want to be an exact duplicate, in case something happens to the 4TB drive.
    I use Karen's Replicator for that.

    Karen's Replicator the Backup Utility for Windows v3.7.6 Released May 25, 2020 | Karen's Power Tools
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 456
    Windows 10
       #9

    You can use a command line tool called robocopy. It mirrows the source with the destination. If you use it with the /L switch it should only list files that would be copied thus listing files that exist in the source but don't exist in the destination, and the extra files are the files that exist in the destination but don't exist in the source.

    robocopy Source Destination /E /L
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 1,748
    Windows 10 Pro
       #10

    Beyond Compare, by scootersoftware.com

    Does all kinds of compares, and it can update folders also.
      My Computers


 

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