If your job involves frequently monitoring and following up with many folders then try to imagine how convenient it can be to have a digital weighing scale to compare them at a glance. The good news is that you can do it easily from the desktop if you want to download the entire site. Thus, let’s quickly find out how to compare two folders that are located on your Windows 10 PC. The answer lies below!
You can easily do a trial with the contents of two folders, or, indeed, to compare the folders in question within several clicks. Read further on several methods of how folders can be compared.
Method 1: Via Properties
If you want to compare the size, creation date, or quantity of files in two folders, the operation Properties are understandable. Here’s how:
1. Click your right button on the mouse on the desired folder, then choose Properties from the options on the list.
2. Repeat the same to the second folder.
3. You have to drag the Properties window of both folders in parallel so that they are next to each other.
Thus, using these simple steps you can not only compare two folders, but also two directories in Windows 10.
Method 2: Via Command Prompt
The other way of comparing the two folders is by using the command prompt option to compare the major differences. Follow the steps mentioned below to see how:
1. Both are folders so right-click on the first folder – Copy as a path – save them on Notepad then paste the data there.
2. Repeat the process carried out in the first part by choosing the second folder you wish to copy.
3. Type cmd into the Start Menu and right-click on Command Prompt then select Run as Administrator.
4. To do this we type robocop, and space bar, copy the path to the first folder from the notepad, and paste it.
5. Press Space once again and type the path to the second folder.
6. Go back to Space, and enter /L /NJH /NJS /NP /NS to finish the command.
7. Hit Enter.
This way you will be in a position to see all the new, old, or any extra files that may be formulated in the two folders.
Here’s how you can understand the comparison:
- EXTRA File: Not observed in the first folder but found in the second one.
- New File: Existing in the 1st folder, but missing in the second.
- Older: The same file in both folders, at least one of which is derived from the other; however, the file can be earlier by weeks, months, or even years.
- Newer: It is the same file but copied into two folders and this file was created first in the second folder and then in the first folder.
Method 3: Via PowerShell
The other way of comparing folders is on your desktop you can use PowerShell. Check out the steps mentioned below:
1. Powershell, as a search item, appears in the search bar, and clicking on Open will open the window.
2. Type the command $fso = Get-ChildItem -Recurse -path “Folder 1”. Here you have to type the location path of the first folder.
3. The, enter the command $fsoBU = Get-ChildItem -Recurse -path “Folder 2”. Likewise, type in the location path of the second directory.
4. Finally, type the command: Compare-Object -ReferenceObject $fso -DifferenceObject $fsoBU.
Now it is possible to list files in both folders and compare them to meet your purpose.
Method 4: Via Third-Party App
Third-party applications and websites are aplenty that can be used to effortlessly come up with a comparison of any contents between the two folders. However, never use internal software, instead use a third-party application like WinMerge to do the same.
1. Go to the official webpage of WinMerge and on the main page click on Download Now!
2. Once installation is finished, click on the icon of the app on the desktop.
3. There is the blue File button located in the top left corner of the app; click on it and then choose Open.
4. Select the next button… choose the folder from the desktop under the first file and folder.
5. Repeat the same step under the second file or folder.
6. Click on Compare.
You can view all the differences as well as contents in the points of both selected files.
You can follow any of the methods that are explained in this guide about how to compare two folders on a Windows 10 desktop.
