How to compare two folders in Win 7 prof 64bit

Anonymous
2010-01-13T19:30:57+00:00

I have two folders which has multiple files. I would like to compare both folders and see which folder has more files and what are their names? How do I do that in Win 7 prof 64bit? Is their any utility that I can download?

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Files, folders, and storage

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Anonymous
2010-11-13T17:55:25+00:00

Hey dude-

Here's the right way to do it, without the external downloads.  It looks like a lot at first, but once you've done it, it's very easy.  It works in all Windows versions from 7 back to 95.  For our example assume that you're comparing two directories named 'A' and 'B'.

  1. run cmd.exe to get a command prompt.  (In Windows 7, the powershell won't work for this, FYI.)  Then do it again, so that you have two of them open next to each other.
  2. in each window go to the directories that you want to compare.  (Using 'cd' commands.  If you're not comfortable with this, then you should probably go with the external utilities, unless you want to learn command prompt stuff.)
  3. type 'dir /b > A.txt' into one window and 'dir /b > B.txt' into the other.  You'll now have two text files that list the contents of each directory.  The /b flag means bare, which strips the directory listing down to file names only.
  4. move B.txt into the same folder as A.txt.
  5. type 'fc A.txt B.txt'.  The command 'fc' means file compare.  This will spit out a list of the differences between the two files, with an extra line of text above and below each difference, so you know where they are.  For more options on how the output is formatted, type 'fc /?' at the prompt.  You can also pipe the differences into another file by using something like 'fc A.txt B.txt > differences.txt'.

Have fun.

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Anonymous
2010-01-14T18:43:08+00:00

Gujju dude,

Welcome to Microsoft Answers.

If you hover the pointer over the folder, it will display folder size and file information. If you do not have this activated, go to windows explorer > organize drop down > folder and search options > view > Select the Display file size information in folder tips check box, and then click OK.

I hope this helps.

Lisa

Microsoft Answers Support Engineer

Visit our Microsoft Answers Feedback Forum and let us know what you think.

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  1. Anonymous
    2012-01-25T18:06:06+00:00

    Gujju dude,

    Welcome to Microsoft Answers.

    If you hover the pointer over the folder, it will display folder size and file information. If you do not have this activated, go to windows explorer > organize drop down > folder and search options > view >Select theDisplay file size information in folder tips check box, and then clickOK.

    I hope this helps.

    Lisa

    Microsoft Answers Support Engineer

    Visit our Microsoft Answers Feedback Forum and let us know what you think.

    I don't think you understood the requirement from the OP. Although Windows is a thoroughly file based OS it has next to no basic functions for file systems that other OSs such as *nix do have.

    Although critiscised for decades Microsoft seem unwilling to offer any either. They seem to care about the stupid end-user where they get their $$$ from and not the power user. The type of tool you need is something similar to the below, and M$oft need a kick up the ____ to sort themselves out. Doing their own bug-testing instead of releasing multiple fixes/updates/service packs at the expense of others' time would be a start. A QA (Quality Assurance) department is missing. How they get away with it, who knows? ($$$$$$).

    http://www.windows7download.com/win7-freefilesync/xmnjvvcb.html

    <removed> 

    Anyone that spells Microsoft with a $ is a joke.  If you don't think every company is looking to make a profit your just naiive.  Having been a power user for many years I can understand where your coming from. Any steps above the average end user, combined, only make up 1-3% of the user base. Windows computers are prolific as the modern automobile. No one would try and make the point that the average person needs or could drive an F1 car properly.. would they.

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  2. Anonymous
    2011-12-24T19:20:09+00:00

    Er... at least, in Windows 7, it does :)

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  3. Anonymous
    2011-12-24T19:19:22+00:00

    Just in case anyone else is looking . Here's a quick and dirty.

    Go to directory A. Select all and right-click to select "Cut"

    Go to directory B. Right-click and select "Paste"

    Windows will ask what you want to do if there a duplicate file in the destination: Move and Replace, Don't move or Move and keep both files.

    You can also tell Windows to do this for all subsequent occurrences.

    So, I picked move and replace. So, if the file isn't in the destination, it is moved there. If it _is_ there, it is replaced with the copy. Note that the time and date and file size tell Windows if this is an exact duplicate or not. Unless you have modified the time and date, you should be fine.

    My lazy way of consolidating backup directories. Hope this helps someone else :)

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