Suppose your profession requires you to open numerous files for inspection and follow-up. In that case, you can only imagine how convenient it would be to have a digital weighing scale to compare items with a single button press. The good news is that doing so from your desktop is very simple.
Thus, how can a user compare two directories on a Windows 10 computer? The solution is provided below!
This guide will walk you through the process of comparing two folders in Windows 10.
How to use Windows 10 to compare two directories
Ideally, it only takes a few clicks to accomplish any of the two goals, such as viewing the contents of one folder or comparing two files. Take multiple techniques for comparing different folders.
Method 1: Using Properties
It is simple to examine the Properties of the two folders to get information about their sizes, creation dates, and file counts. Here’s how to do it:
- Drag the Properties windows from the two folders to compare them.
- Open the folder whose properties you wish to modify. Next, click on the folder’s properties from the list that appears by looking at the top of your computer screen directly at the bar.
- Repeat steps 1 through 2 for the second folder. If any files in it entice you to open them, delete them.
- Open the two folders and move their Properties windows to compare them quickly.
- On Windows 10, you can compare two folders and two directories by following the simple steps mentioned above.
Method 2: To use the command prompt
Check your internet connection, open it, type cmd /k ipconfig, and hit Enter. Additionally, you can use the command promp> to compare the contents of the two directories. To find out how to take the actions listed below:
- Write the data in Notepad after right-clicking on the first folder and choosing Copy as the path from the context menu.
- To compare the second folder to the first folder, follow step one again.
- You must execute this one using an administrator command prompt. To do so, right-click and select “Run as Administrator.”
- Type “robocop” into the keyboard, hit the Spacebar, then copy and paste the path of the first folder from the notepad.
- Type the path to the second folder by pressing Space again.
- For example, in Two, execute the following command: robocop D: Old Downloads” and D: HP Downloads.”
- Enter /L /NJH /NJS /NP /NS in the Terminal once more, then return to Space to give the order to terminate it.
- Press Enter.
This will allow you to see all new, old, and additional files in both folders.
This is how the comparison makes sense: This is how the comparison makes sense:
*EXTRA File: This should go in the second folder rather than the first.
Fresh File: Certain ones can only be located in the first folder and not in the second.
Older: This file was created later than the one in the second folder, but it was previously in the first folder.
More recent: The identical file exists in both files, however it was initially produced in the second folder before being moved to the first.
Method 3: Using PowerShell
A desktop PowerShell option is another tool that may be utilized to compare folders. Examine the actions listed below: Examine the actions listed below:
- You have two options: either type Powershell into the search bar or click on Open after typing it.
- Enter the following command in the console: $fso = Get-ChildItem -Recurse -path “Folder 1”. The location path of the initial directory location must be entered here.
- Next, enter $fsoBU = Get-ChildItem -Recurse—path “Folder 2” as the command. Then, type the second folder’s location path in the same way.
- Finally, enter Compare-Object -Reference Object $fso -Difference Object $fsoBU as the command.
- Creating a Windows Powershell script to compare two directories will be the main topic of this essay.
- The power to read and compare the files in the two folders will now be granted to you.
=> Side Indicator displays files in the first folder but not in the second, and vice versa. It should display files in the second folder but not in the first.
Method 4: By Using a Third-Party App
It’s also important to remember the wealth of web resources and third-party programs that can quickly and easily compare content between two folders. But it’s best to use a third-party program like WinMerge and avoid trying to accomplish the same with the built-in merging feature.
- Visit the official WinMerge website and select “Download Now!” from the main screen.
- After the installation, you can launch your application on your desktop.
- Click the File button in the upper left corner of the program and choose Open.
- Lastly, select Browse, and then choose the folder of your desktop under the Computer’s initial File/S.
- Carry out the same procedure below the second file or folder.
Note: It is also possible to copy and paste the location path.
- Select Compare.
Choose the folder from your desktop by clicking Browse… under First and Second File or Folder.
You can now review the contents and points of difference between the two files you have chosen.
Also Read: Using Notepad to Compare Two Files
You can now compare two folders on your Windows 10 desktop using one of the methods described in this post. Please use the comments area to ask any questions or offer recommendations.
